The Family Research Council is a Washington, D.C.-based Religious Right organization that focuses on issues such as abortion rights, homosexuality, stem cell research and the military. The group was founded in 1983 by a group of conservative leaders including Dr. James Dobson; between 1988 and 1992, it was the political affiliate of Dobson's Focus on the Family. The FRC hosts conservative events including the Values Voter Summit, Watchmen on the Wall and the Family Policy Lecture series and is influential in shaping the Religious Right’s policy agenda.
The FRC is currently led by Tony Perkins, a former Louisiana Republican lawmaker, who hosts the group's daily "Washington Watch" radio program. Other FRC officials include Jerry Boykin, executive vice president; Peter Sprigg, senior fellow for policy studies; Cathy Ruse, senior fellow for legal studies; and Ken Blackwell, senior fellow for human rights and constitutional governance.
