[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16030-S16031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ALLARD (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Sessions, Mr. 
        Bunning, and Mr. Inhofe):
  S.J. Res. 26. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the 
Constitution of the United States relating to marriage; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I rise today to submit legislation that 
would amend the United States Constitution identifying and reaffirming 
the institution of marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The 
language I submit today is brief and simple:
  Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a 
man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor 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.
  This language is simple, direct and to the point. This union is 
sacred and must remain so.
  This resolution is a starting point for a more comprehensive 
discussion. I look forward to having an involved, informed debate with 
the other members of this chamber.
  I am pleased to be joined in this effort by my colleagues Senator Sam 
Brownback and Senator Jeff Sessions who are original cosponsors of this 
Resolution.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this Resolution be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the joint resolution was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 26

       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of 
     each House concurring therein), That the following article

[[Page S16031]]

     is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United 
     States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as 
     part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of 
     three-fourths of the several States within seven years after 
     the date of its submission by the Congress:

                              ``Article --

       ``Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the 
     union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor 
     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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