STATE SENATORS NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW - TODAY

HJR1, the Constitutional Marriage Amendment, has been messaged to the Senate for action by that body.  It has been assigned to a sub-committee of the Senate State Government Committee.  The sub-committee members, two republicans and two democrats are charged with the responsibility of determining whether the State Government Committee will debate the bill before it can be placed on the Senate calendar for floor action. 

At this point in time, the two Republican Senators, Bob Brunkhorst of Waverly and David Miller of Fairfield are willing to move HJR1 to the full committee for debate.  The two Democrat Senators, Jack Hatch of Des Moines and John Kibbie of Emmetsburg are opposed to allowing debate on HJR1 either in committee or on the floor. 

HJR1 declares that "ONLY MARRIAGE BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN SHALL BE VALID OR RECOGNIZED IN THE STATE OF IOWA."  It also declares "THE STATE OF IOWA AND ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS SHALL NOT CREATE OR RECOGNIZE A LEGAL STATUS IDENTICAL OR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THAT OF MARRIAGE FOR UNMARRIED INDIVIDUALS."  The amendment prohibits gay marriage and civil unions but does not affect common law marriages between one man and one woman. 

Amending the Iowa Constitution requires that the amendment must pass two succeeding general assemblies of the state legislature before it can be put to a vote of the people.  That means HJR1 could not be added to the State Constitution before 2008. 

Is a constitutional amendment necessary?  Yes, it is the only means available to the people of Iowa to be certain that the historic and traditional definition of marriage will prevail in Iowa law.  Our current definition of marriage in Iowa law, the Defense of Marriage Act, is vulnerable to judicial activism.  Massachusetts, Washington state and California all had definitions of marriage similar to Iowa.  They have been overturned by judges declaring their laws as unconstitutional.  Forty states are currently facing a similar fate.

If you believe as we do, that the current definition of marriage, the cornerstone of civilizations throughout history and all over the globe is worth fighting to keep, then CALL, WRITE or E-MAIL Iowa Senators and urge them to move HJR1 to the next step needed for enactment. 

            To call Senators at the Capitol -- 515-281-3371, ask for them by name. 

            A complete list of Iowa Senators is available at http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/ga/legislators.do?ch=s

            To mail a short note or letter -- Senator's name, State House, Des Moines, IA. 50319.

            To e-mail Senators -- Senator's first name and last name @legis.state.ia.us.

A complete list of email addresses for Iowa Senators is available at:           http://www4.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Internet/Legislators/SenateEmail.aspx

            To find YOUR Senator -- http://www4.legis.state.ia.us/find-leg/