Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins was sworn in Thursday as the newest commissioner to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The swearing-in ceremony was held at the U.S. State Department. Ambassador at Large for Religous Liberty Sam Brownback officiated.

The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission. It reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations. It also makes policy recommendations to the president, the secretary of state, and Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appointed Perkins to the post.

Perkins will serve a two-year term with USCIRF. He said in a statement that he wants to make sure the the U.S. is the “single biggest defender” of religious freedom worldwide. Perkins said a first step could be to properly implement the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act. “I also look forward to working with willing partners among those nations on USCIRF’s list of ‘Countries of Particular Concern.’” He wants to address their religious freedom concerns and assist them in getting them off the list.

The Honorable Frank Wolf is a senior fellow of the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative and former U.S. congressman. He is a strong advocate of global religious freedom. “I’m extremely pleased that Tony Perkins has been appointed to USCIRF,” said Wolf. “I wholeheartedly support him as a USCIRF Commissioner, in which role I fully believe he will advocate vigorously for those of all faiths as a matter of international religious freedom. This is a fantastic appointment.”

Perkins has been an advocate for religious minorities in recent years and brought awareness to their situations. He has also testified multiple times before Congress about global religious freedom.

One woman is very grateful for Perkins’ work on religious freedom issues. Meriam Ibraheem credits Perkins for getting her released from a Sudanese prison, where she spent months with her two small children. “I want to thank Tony Perkins for all of his efforts on my behalf and the persecuted around the world,” said Ibraheem. “It if wasn’t for God, Tony and those working for religious freedom, I wouldn’t be free today. I am excited that Tony will be serving in this new role.”

Perkins will continue to serve as the president of FRC during his time with USCIRF.