TONY PERKINS -  Tony Perkins is President of the Washington, D.C. based Family Research Council.  He is a former member of the Louisiana legislature where he served for eight years, and he is recognized as a legislative pioneer for authoring measures like the nation's first Covenant Marriage law.  Although he had no opposition for re-election, he kept his pledge to serve only two terms and left office at the completion of his term in 2004.  He was a Republican candidate for the United States Senate in 2002.  Since joining FRC in the fall of 2003 he has led FRC to aggressively continue their work affirming and defending the Judeo-Christian values that this nation is founded upon. 

Tony Perkins and FRC have led the way in defending religious freedom in the public square, protecting the unborn and their mothers, defending and strengthening one man/one woman marriage and promoting pro-family public policy.  Tony hosts a weekly national radio program, "Washington Watch Weekly," and he also sends daily updates to tens of thousands of grassroots activists.  An effective communicator, he regularly appears on national broadcast and cable news programs.  In addition, he has been a keynote speaker for organizations across the country.

Tony has a tremendous burden to reclaim the culture for Christ and believes that this revival will begin in the churches across America.  Under his leadership FRC began a Pastors' Outreach program that is engaging Christians in civic affairs as never before.

A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and a former police officer and television news reporter, Tony brings a unique blend of experience and leadership to the pro-family movement.  He received his undergraduate degree from Liberty University, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree from LSU in Public Administration. In May 2006 he received an honorary doctorate from Liberty in Theology.  Tony and Lawana, his wife of 20 years, have four children.