Conservatives' Relieved That Bush Has Taken A Stand
By: Administrative Account | Source: CNSNews.com
February 24, 2004 12:09PM EST

By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Morning Editor
February 24, 2004

(CNSNews.com) - Conservative groups and individuals Tuesday applauded President Bush's support for a federal marriage amendment.

The American Center for Law and Justice, an international public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law, said Bush's announcement will serve as a "critical catalyst" to energize and organize supporters of traditional marriage.

"The president's announcement is vital to launching the amendment process and efforts to protect marriage. We are grateful for his support on this most important issue," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ.

The ACLJ is working to protect marriage in both Massachusetts and California. Just last week, the group sent a legal memorandum to top officials in California and San Francisco, concluding that state officials involved in issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples are breaking state law.

The ACLJ is urging the state to file criminal charges against those who have broken state law by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The ACLJ also plans to file an amicus brief on behalf of the state of California, which has now been sued by the City of San Francisco in the same-sex marriage dispute.

Traditional Values

The Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, chairman and founder of the Traditional Values Coalition, gives President Bush credit for acting "in the nick of time to save America's most important institution."

"Judges in Massachusetts and the mayor of San Francisco are conspiring against the law," Rev. Sheldon said. "It is good to hear the clear, sound reasoning of President Bush above the wave of deception in the courts."

Sheldon predicted that the coming months will be difficult, as well-funded homosexual advocacy groups launch a "carefully calculated campaign to provide the appearance of normalcy to homosexual behavior."

Sheldon said he and other pro-family leaders sent a letter to the White House Tuesday in support of President Bush's "strong stand" in favor of marriage.

Congressional reaction

Sen. John Cornyn, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on the Constitution, said he agrees with President Bush that judicial activism has made the defense of marriage a national issue -- to be addressed at the national level.

"The right of the people, not the courts, to decide what is best for families, must be addressed and defended," the Texas Republican said in a press release.

Cornyn announced that he'll hold a hearing next week to discuss the national impact of the recent court ruling in Massachusetts, in which judges invalidated traditional marriage laws.

Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), an original sponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment, called that amendment "the line in the sand," defining marriage for purposes of federal law. He said the amendment will prevent courts from forcing states to adopt legal definitions that the American people do not support.

"Our kids need strong families," said Pitts, "and strong families work best when kids have a mom and a dad at home, engaged in their lives. We rely on this definition of family for stability, prosperity, and vitality. When we tinker with that definition or allow courts to throw it out the window, we're in trouble."

The Federal Marriage Amendment was introduced in the current Congress by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.).

It says, "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution or the constitution of any State, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups."

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