Senators propose "recognition of marriage" amendment to Constitution

ATLANTA, GA (Jan. 21)  - Today, State Senate Majority Leader Bill Stephens (R-Canton), Sen. Don Cheeks (R-Augusta) and Sen. John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee) proposed an amendment to the Georgia Constitution to define "marriage" as the union of only a man and woman.
   "Last night, in the State of the Union address, President [George W.] Bush said that a strong America must value the institution of marriage . . . and we must respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental enduring institutions of our civilization," Sen. Stephens said just after he dropped the legislation that will be voted on later in this legislative session. "The President also said that whatever legal arrangements the people want to make, they're
allowed to make, as long as it's embraced by the state or at the state  level. Today, we begin the process of Georgians embracing the concept that marriage should be recognized only as a union between a man and a woman."
   Senate Resolution 595, The Georgia Defense of Marriage Act, provides for a Constitutional Amendment to be voted on by the people of Georgia in November of this year. While Georgia does have a law stating such recognition, the law is open to interpretation by the courts, and this amendment will make the language a formal part of the State Constitution.
   "Making the definition of marriage a part of Georgia's Constitution means that will not happen here in Georgia," Sen. Stephens continued.  "I will do everything in my power to see that the sanctity of marriage is preserved between a man and a woman," Sen. Cheeks said. "It is incumbent upon us as lawmakers to see that this Resolution passes our respective Chambers so that the people of Georgia have the opportunity to make this a part of their Constitution so that it can never be challenged by those who want to interfere with the morals the citizens
of this state hold dear."
   "In Georgia, the institution of marriage has always been between a man and a woman," Sen. Bulloch said during a press conference this afternoon. "I don't think the people of Georgia want that to change.  My constituents are good, God-fearing people, and I want to assure them that their family values and beliefs are important to me and the future of this great state. Our nation was built on the foundation of Godly principles, and I intend to see that those principles remain in place for the future of our children and their children."
   If it passes both Houses of the Georgia General Assembly, and is signed by Governor Perdue, the proposed amendment will ask voters to amend the
Constitution so that Georgia will recognize "marriage only the union of a man and woman."