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Last week we announced that we and The Heartland Institute were hosting and sponsoring, respectively, a roundtable discussion on the Future of Health Care In America. It takes place tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the 12th floor conference room at One Capitol Square, 830 East Main Street (the corner of 9th and Main Streets), in Richmond. Here’s an update on the topics that will be discussed and the presenters:

The Mega Trend Movement to Consumer-Driven Health Care: Paul L. Kitchen, President and CEO, nHealth, Inc.

Update on Free Market Activities in Virginia: Victoria Cobb, President, The Family Foundation of Virginia

Health Reform at the Federal and State Level: Ben Domenech, Managing Editor, Health Care News

Update from the Commonwealth of Virginia: Dr. Bill Hazel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources; Delegate John M. O’Bannon, M.D. (R-73, Henrico); and Delegate T. Scott Garrett, M.D. (R-23, Lynchburg)

The True Costs of Health Care: Peter Fotos, Director of Government Relations, The Heartland Institute

With the liberal Congress and administration ignoring recent election results and public opinion, and again threatening to ram through nationalized medicine (see U.S. Chamber update), this event is a can’t-miss. It’s complimentary, too, and refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Those wishing to register should contact Robin Knox at The Heartland Institute at (312) 377-4000 or rknox@heartland.org. We hope you will be able to join us for this informative discussion.

Family Foundation of Virginia President Victoria Cobb was interviewed by Roanoke station WDBJ-TV/7 after the NARAL news conference today at the capitol in Richmond. She refutes the fiction produced by NARAL and its liberal ally lawmakers, who are attempting to suffocate pregnancy resource centers in Virginia through outrageous legislation and other tactics.

Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb gets a little equal time to set the record straight concerning the manufactured allegations against pregnancy resource centers by NARAL and its legislative allies.

It’s been such an eventful year, in the commonwealth and nationally. It most likely will get more frenetic in 2010. We join those who wish we could take a breather. Fortunately, this time of year allows that as we let the Peace of His birth, His humility to live among us, set in our hearts. We hope hope that meaning stays with everyone year-round, not only during this season. We also wish that everyone has the peace and love of family and friends that is such a meaningful part of Christmas.

From the Board and staff of The Family Foundation of Virginia, we offer the comfort of Silent Night as our Christmas wishes to all of you. May God bless all of you with a joyous Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

For He so loved the world, he sent his only Son to atone for our sins.

At our Gala Monday evening, the loudest applause line of Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb’s address was when she said that pro-family Virginians expect that the next governor of Virginia to submit a budget that ends taxpayer subsidies to Planned Parenthood. In a radio interview the next day on the Laura Ingraham Show, Republican candidate for governor Bob McDonnell stated that he would do just that.

Now, Planned Parenthood is going berserk over McDonnell’s comments, despite the fact that The Washington Post today claims that Planned Parenthood didn’t receive any taxpayer money in this year’s budget. For several years The Family Foundation has worked with other pro-life organizations to end the taxpayer subsidizing of Planned Parenthood, often finding it difficult to uncover how much money they receive or through what agency or program.

While Planned Parenthood alleges that the money they receive is used for “women’s health care,” the fact is that this is a $1 billion a year organization that performs more than one-quarter of all abortions in the nation, with roughly one-third of its income coming from taxpayers.

Oddly, for an organization that claims to be about “health care,” it is run by a hard-core partisan Democrat, Cecile Richards, the daughter of former Texas Governor Ann Richards and former chief of staff to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The truth is, it is nothing more than a partisan organization that uses its taxpayer funding to bludgeon pro-life candidates across the country and to promote abortion on demand. This year, Planned Parenthood endorsed McDonnell’s opponent, Creigh Deeds, who supports taxpayer funding of that organization. in fact, Planned Parenthood endorsed all three Democrat statewide candidates.

The fact is that, regardless of their position on abortion, most Virginians do not like the idea of their tax dollars paying for abortions and, by extension, organizations that perform them. Planned Parenthood has plenty of its own money; it doesn’t need any from the taxpayers.

The nearly 1,300 pro-family Virginians who gathered at the Greater Richmond Convention Center last night at The Family Foundation of Virginia’s Annual Gala were treated to a fantastic evening of inspiration, motivation and topped off by a wonderful keynote address by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. The host of the Fox News Channel hit Huckabee was in great form with an inspirational speech filled with philosophy, morality, Biblical principles, humor (lava soap, anyone?) and capped with a moving exposition as to what happens when people ignore the tragedies around them (see Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog). 

Just a week before election day, it was abundantly clear that pro-family citizens are excited about the future and are mobilized to act. The energy in the convention center was palpable. From the beginning of the program with an inspirational rendition of our National Anthem by eight-year-old Alana Springsteen to the final special music by April Lee, no one could leave room last night not feeling excited about the future of Virginia and the future of The Family Foundation.

Governor Huckabee combined humor with personal stories and an emotional challenge to the crowd, encouraging them to fight for our freedom, regardless of the cost. Touching on his time as a pastor and then as a politician, he made it abundantly clear that there is no time when Christians should abandon politics and government. Instead, we must continue to fight for our values to ensure a prosperous future.

As Family Foundation of Virginia President Victoria Cobb told the audience:

We look forward to election day this year with cautious optimism. One might even say we look forward to the future with hope for change. Yet, while we may anticipate electoral victory, we realize that it is just one small part of the cultural renewal that we seek, and there is so much more to be done. The Family Foundation has had one of the busiest years in our history, but the results on Election Day are not the completion of our work – just a new beginning. 

The Family Foundation Gala has become the largest pro-family gathering of its kind in Virginia and Governor Huckabee’s message was perfect for the evening. Joining the him in the program were our emcee, and new Chaplain to The Family Foundation’s Pastors For Family Values, Bishop Earl Jackson; Speaker of the House Bill Howell, who introduced Governor Huckabee; and Pastor Jonathan Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, who gave the invocation and voiced strong support for the Family Foundation’s work.

Also last evening, Delegate Glenn Oder (R-94, Newport News) was honored with The Family Foundation’s Legislator of the Year Award for his leadership on payday lending reform (see The Shad Plank). Delegate Oder showed principled leadership and an ability to work with a diverse coalition of organizations and legislators to get results on a tough issue. The compromise bill he was able to craft has significantly reduced the number of payday lending stores in Virginia and helped protect families from predatory lenders.

We’re all excited that our big day is here: The Annual Family Foundation of Virginia Gala with keynote speaker Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate, and current host of the hit Fox News Channel program Huckabee. Although there are opportunities to live blog from the event and other activities, such as the press availability with Governor Huckabee this afternoon, we’re going to take in the sights and sounds and report to you tomorrow and throughout the rest of the week.

The Gala will be a memorable event, to say the least. In addition to what will be a dynamite presentation by Governor Huckabee, other speakers and performers, a near capacity crowd of 1,300 people in attendance (doubling last year) will guarantee a unique experience of camaraderie and fellowship. The good news is, you can still attend! Although online registration closed at 1:00 p.m. today, some tickets are still available at the door at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Doors to the ballroom will open at 6:30 p.m., but with the large crowd we encourage you to arrive early to have time to find parking and make it to the ballroom. The event will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.

The reception for full table sponsors will begin at 5:30 p.m. Because of the large crowd and photo line with Governor Huckabee please plan to arrive at the reception promptly. Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. Anyone who wants to meet yours truly, please ask the staff. I’ll be around. Looking forward to bringing to everyone reviews and thoughts over the next few days.

Last week, Family Foundation of Virginia President Victoria Cobb previewed our Annual Gala on American Family Radio’s Richmond affiliate, with host JimmyG. The Gala features as its keynote speaker former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who currently stars on the Fox News Channel show Huckabee. In the nine minute interview, Victoria covers a lot of ground: The Gala (click here for more information), The Family Foundation’s mission, the upcoming Virginia statewide elections, and issues important to Christians and values voters. 

To listen to the interview (8:50) with Victoria Cobb on AFR Richmond’s JimmyG Show, click here.

Because of some great and committed volunteers, we now have more distribution sites around the state where you can pick up The Family Foundation of Virginia 2009 Voter Guides this weekend. If you do not live near one of the locations listed yesterday, check the list below. If one of the new locations is more convenient, contact the volunteer closest to you and make arrangements to get the Voter Guides. If that doesn’t work, or if no location is close to you, call us at 804-343-0010 and ask how we can get the guides to you. We also will put them online for you to print and reproduce for distrubution at the TFF Action Web site.

Fairfax County

Contact: Brian Mazenec at brian@fairfaxfamilyforum.org

Fredericksburg and Surrounding Areas

Contact: Donna Moore at 540-538-5963

Fauquier and Culpeper Area

Contact: Gay Bass at 540-788-4946

Fluvanna and Albemarle Area

Contact: Feda Morton at dtmorton@firstva.com

Bristol

Contact: Pastor Chad Gardner at 276-494-6620

Abingdon

Contact: Pastor Bill Haywood at 276-698-4987

Wythe County

Contact: Diane Winston at 276-223-0529

Petersburg Area

Contact: Jeff Dean at 804-731-0434

Jeff also has a pick-up location Saturday, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., in the parking lot of First Assembly of God Petersburg, 25213 Ferndale Road.

The Family Foundation of Virginia’s 2009 Voter Guides, non-partisan bulletin inserts that compare the positions of candidates on important issues such as life, marriage, parental rights and religious liberty, now are available. These Guides do not endorse or oppose any candidate or political party and are legal for distribution in churches.

We were busy all summer encouraging pastors to engage in the civic process. Many have committed to distributing our Voter Guides in their churches. However, Virginia is a very large state and we have areas that have not yet been reached. We need your help in getting our Voter Guides into every church that is concerned about the direction in which our state and nation are heading. Please ask your pastor if your church will take The Family Foundation Voter Guides.

Each year, people contact several pastors and ask them to take the guides. This year, we are offering a small prize for your participation: Win a framed Virginia Capitol photo by submitting the largest number of churches with which you coordinated and delivered Family Foundation Voter Guides before midnight, November 3. Voter guide distribution at targeted events also will be considered.

Plus, we have another incentive: Start by entering just one church you know you can help with Voter Guides and you will be entered into the drawing to receive an autographed copy of our Gala speaker and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s latest book. Click here to enter.

On Saturday, October 17 (unless otherwise noted), we will have distribution sites across Virginia to pick up the Voter Guides. See the list below for the one closest to you. If there are none in your area, please volunteer to set up a distribution point for two hours that Saturday. To help in any way with this effort, e-mail john@familyfoundation.org or call 1-804-343-0010. Whether you want to take Voter Guides to your church, set up a distribution point in your area or be the contact person for your city or county, we need your help.

The distribution points are:

Richmond (Contact: Mark Earley, Jr., at 804-405-2129)

Grove Avenue Baptist Church, 8701 Ridge Road, 9:30-noon.

Clover Hill Baptist Church, 3100 Old Courthouse Road (Midlothian), 9:30-noon.

Gethsemane Church of Christ, 5146 Mechanicsville Turnpike (Mechanicsville) 9:30-noon.

Loudoun (Contact: Ryan Rogge at 703-674-6948)

Near Panera Bread, 215 Fort Evans Road, NE (Leesburg), 10:00-1:00 p.m.

Tidewater (Contact: Hector Falcon at 757-288-2382)

Kempsville Presbyterian Church, 805 Kempsville Road (Virginia Beach) 8:30-1:00 p.m.

Peninsula (For more information, call 757-592-0312)

World Outreach Worship Center, 1233 Shields Road (Newport News), 10:00-1:00 p.m.

Lynchburg (For more information, call 434-401-0726)

Thomas Road Baptist Church Parking Lot, 1 Mountain View Road, 10:00–noon.

Henry County (Contact: Jeff Evans at 276-233-9407)

Victory Baptist of Fieldale, 1300 Dillons Fork Road, 11:00-1:00 p.m.

Patrick County (Contact: Mildred Layman at 276-340-0549)

Stuart Festival, Patriots of Patrick County Booth, Between 410 and 402 Patrick Avenue in Stuart, 10:00-4:30 p.m.

Harrisonburg and Rockingham County

Available at the “Values” debate between incumbent Republican Delegate Matt Lohr and Democratic challenger Gene Hart, Cornerstone Church at the Lake, 3591 Isaak Walton Drive, Sunday, October 18

Roanoke (Contact: Mickey Mixon at 540-798-8621)

Tanglewood Mall, under the mall sign, 4420 A-Electric Road, Sunday, October 18, 3:00– 6:00 p.m.

Shenandoah County (Contact: Brad Huddleston at 540-820-0810)

Family Fun Day Festival for Christ, Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, 300 Fairgrounds Road, Woodstock, Sunday, October 18, 10:00-4:00 p.m.

Staunton and Surrounding Area (Contact: Brad Huddleston at 540-820-0810)

Free lunch for pastors! Shoney’s Restaurant, 30 Sangers Lane, Staunton (I-81, Exit 222), 11:30–1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 20. The Family Foundation of Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley Teen Challenge are sponsoring a free lunch for pastors. Voter guides will be available there. In order to attend, register by calling Brad Huddleston or e-mailing him at brad.huddleston@tffaction.org.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who now hosts the ratings-busting Fox News Channel weekend show Huckabee, will be on American Family Radio’s Richmond affiliate tomorrow to preview his keynote speech at our Annual Gala on October 26, as well as other issues. In addition, you can hear Family Foundation of Virginia President Victoria Cobb today. Both interviews are at 5:30 p.m.

If you live in the Richmond area, tune your FM dial to AFR at 89.7 or 88.1. If you do not live in the Richmond area, you can still listen live at WAUQ’s Web site (here); and whether you live in the Richmond area or not, if you cannot listen to the interviews live, they will be archived at that site in the near future for you to listen at your convenience.

AFR is a wonderful partner of ours and a real blessing to its listeners. We really appreciate its staff and their support of our work. So we encourage you to listen and to e-mail this link and share this information on social networking sites with friends and family.

Speaking of the Gala, there are less than two weeks until the big night. If you haven’t reserved your tickets or sponsorship yet, please don’t wait any longer as both are going fast! With more than 1,150 expected guests, the room is close to capacity and we can’t promise that there will be seats available if you don’t purchase them now. Call our office at 804-343-0010 or make your secure purchase online by clicking here or go to our Web site and click on the picture of Governor Huckabee.