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Congressman Bishop Defends the Definition of Marriage

September 1, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC—Standing up for the traditional definition of marriage, Congressman Sanford Bishop this afternoon voted in favor of the “Marriage Protection Amendment” (H.J. Res 106), which if enacted would amend the U.S. Constitution to recognize marriage solely as the union between one man and one woman.

“I, like the citizens of Southwest Georgia, firmly believe that marriage is divinely created and ordained by God between one man and one woman. I believe that amending the constitution to recognize traditional marriage is the most responsible way to protect this sacred institution,” said Congressman Bishop.

With a vote of 227 to 186, the “Marriage Protection Amendment” failed to gain the two-thirds majority required to pass the House of Representatives.

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Below is the statement, which Congressman Bishop gave on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this afternoon in defense of the “Marriage Protection Amendment.”

“I am glad that Congress has moved this important legislation to the Floor of the House for a vote today.

“My office has received literally thousands of letters, emails, personal visits, and phone calls from constituents urging me to support the institution of traditional marriage, and I want them to know today that I have heard them.

“I realize that reasonable minds may differ on whether to allow non-traditional marriages in the United States. But I am clear on this issue, because the values I share with the people of the 2nd District of Georgia are deeply held for God, country, work and family. Moreover, these family values are those of the traditional family based in our Judeo-Christian principles. That is why I have co-sponsored and will vote for this important constitutional amendment, H.J.Res. 106, (and the earlier H.J. Res. 56), in order to protect the institution of marriage by defining marriage in the United States as the union between a man and a woman.

“I also voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996,which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allows individual states to refuse to recognize such marriages.

“Mr. Speaker, only by having a uniform definition of marriage established in the Constitution, and interpreted by the federal courts can this most basic unit of society be protected.

“God, Country, work, family-- marriage between one man and one woman-- to these, I pledge my sacred honor."