NEW YORKER’S FAMILY RESEARCH FOUNDATION PRESENTS

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LEGISLATIVE DAY

Legislative day is the premier event for new york’s socially-conservative and politically-involved, faith-based community..

Historically, Legislative Day has been our largest event of the year. In many ways, it forms the centerpiece of our work in Albany. Legislative Day allows us to make a face-to-face connection with like-minded Christians from every corner of the Empire State. Legislative Day also communicates to Albany lawmakers that Christians care about their government. Just as importantly, Legislative Day helps attendees to realize that they are not alone in standing for life, family, and freedom.

This year, we welcome an excellent roster of Legislative Day speakers. In addition, we are promising an exciting major announcement about our organization.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Empire State Plaza Convention Center (Albany, NY)

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

new yorker's family research foundation

Craig DeRoche

President & CEO, Family Policy Alliance

Craig DeRoche is a man whose life and family have been completely transformed by Jesus Christ. Craig has been married to Stacey DeRoche since 1998. They live in Michigan with their three daughters and their dog Remington. Craig was one of the youngest persons ever elected as Speaker of the House in Michigan, and former president of Justice Fellowship, founded by Chuck Colson.

Craig has nearly 30 years of experience advancing the dignity and worth of all human life, religious freedom, and family values in public policy. For almost a decade, Craig focused on advancing the value of life through second chances and redemption for those in America’s justice system. Craig speaks to this personally in his published memoir, Highly Functional, detailing his fall into and triumph over addiction through surrender to Jesus Christ. Craig served as a member of the congressionally created Charles Colson Task Force on Federal Prison Reform that he and the members presented to President Obama, and he was invited to stand next to President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office as he signed the First Step Act into law. Indeed, Craig has had the privilege of working personally with the last three presidents of the United States.

Craig is a frequent speaker and author and is regarded as a leading voice in American faith-based public policy. He has been published in the Wall Street Journal , New York Times , Fox News , Christianity Today , and dozens of other leading news agencies. He is also the author of the Christian small group study guide and book Outrageous Justice. In 2016, Craig was featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary “13th.”

Craig has a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Central Michigan University. He is a graduate and emeritus advisory board member of the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University.

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Mike and Julia Peace

Executive Leaders, Bethel Express

Since 1985, Mike has had the opportunity to travel the world through his Christian rap music and motivational speaking. In obedience to God, Mike and Julia chose to remain in Rochester, where they have dedicated their lives to bettering the lives of those living in the city, especially its youth and young adults. 

Mike and Julia Peace today lead Bethel Express of America, Inc., a New York not-for-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status, where Mike serves as Executive Director & President and Julia services as Vice President. Both also serve on the Board of Directors. 

When Mike and Julia started serving Bethel Express over 30 years ago, it was a children’s ministry outreach of Bethel Christian Fellowship (their home church). Through the support of the church, they were able to build a strong presence in the Rochester public schools, teaching two curriculums “A.R.I.S.E.” (Achieving Respect In Society Educationally), which was featured in a medical abstract, and “Abstinence,” which focused on character development and had lasting results in deterring teen pregnancy and STD rates. In 2010, under their leadership, and the full blessing of the church, they were able to incorporate separately as Bethel Express of America, Inc. 

Although B.E. kids enter the program at 6-12 years of age, these children stay on with Bethel Express through high school and beyond. Bethel Express has a 100% high school graduation rate for their kids. Many are rewarded scholarships and many B.E. Alumni have acquired Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees. 

Mike and Julia have also been involved in public outreach traveling across the U.S. doing gang and prison ministry in major urban cities, such as NYC, Detroit, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, where they encourage young people to leave the drug game and/or gang life and become gainfully employed or educated. 

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Joe Kennedy

Football Coach, Bremerton High School

School officials at Bremerton High School (BHS) suspended—and later fired—football coach Joe Kennedy because he prayed a brief, quiet prayer after football games. A lawsuit was filed against the school district, arguing that banning coaches from quietly praying, just because they can be seen by the public, is wrong and violates the Constitution. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, and then the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, sided with the school district. The case eventually landed in the U.S. Supreme Court. In January 2022, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Coach Joe.

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Jason J. McGuire

President, NYFRF and CEO, NYCF

Rev. Jason J. McGuire serves as the Executive Director of New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation (NYFRF) and NYFRF’s affiliated organization, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms. Rev. McGuire has been on staff with NYFRF since 2007, and has been an integral part of the continued growth and impact of the organization since that time.

Rev. McGuire is a passionate defender of Christian principles like the sanctity of life, the sacredness of marriage, the centrality of religious freedom, and the need for a more just and merciful society, and he fervently believes that these principles can only be lived out if the hearts of men and women turn to God. A gifted and accomplished public speaker, Rev. McGuire preaches and teaches at churches and conferences across the state and the nation; also, he is frequently called upon by media outlets for his expertise regarding New York state government and public policy. Rev. McGuire’s radio broadcasts can be heard on Christian stations throughout New York, and his e-mails inform thousands of grassroots Christian activists. Both locally and nationally, Rev. McGuire is widely recognized as a key leader in the pro-life and pro-family movements.

While Rev. McGuire has always been interested in government, it was during his teenage years that the Lord impressed upon him that the power to effect change was not in human government, but in the application of God’s Word (Is. 55:10-11). He surrendered his life to full-time Christian service and pursued training in biblical studies as a result.

Rev. McGuire attended Practical Bible Training School (now known as Davis College) in Johnson City, New York, and holds a Bachelor of Theology Degree from Andersonville Theological Seminary, Camilla, Georgia. Prior to his employment with NYCF, Rev. McGuire served as Pastor of the Ingleside Christian Church in Naples, New York. Rev. McGuire and his wife, Lorenne, were married in 1996 and have been blessed with four children.

Additional speakers to be announced.

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Legislative Day 2023 Tentative Schedule*

8:00 am – doors open, 9:00 am – welcome, jason mcguire, president, new yorker’s family research foundation, 9:15 am – joe kennedy, football coach at bremerton high school, 10:00 am – legislative greetings, 10:30 am – legislative briefing with stephen p. hayford, legislative director of new yorkers for constitutional freedoms, 11:00 am – mike & julia peace, executive leaders of bethel express, 12:00 pm – lunch break , 1:00 pm – craig deroche, president & ceo of family policy alliance , 2:00 pm – capitol activities and legislative visits , 4:00 pm – dismissal, register online, become a sponsor.

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