[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 96 (Tuesday, July 13, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H5545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PRESERVING MARRIAGE BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN

  (Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, this week the Senate is 
dealing with a very important issue, one that goes to the heart of our 
families and society. I am speaking of marriage.
  In my home State of South Carolina, we are one of 42 States that have 
laws on the books defining marriage as the union between a man and a 
woman. These laws were passed by State legislatures, those elected to 
represent the views of their constituents.
  My constituents contact me on a daily basis about this one issue more 
than any other issue we deal with. They ask me to do everything I can 
to ensure marriage between a man and a woman is preserved. Yet some in 
this country, elected by no one, believe they have the right to 
supersede the wishes of my constituents and the constituents of other 
Members here today.
  I respectfully disagree. I truly believe the only way to ensure court 
action does not override State law is for the House and Senate to take 
action.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to follow the Senate's lead on this 
issue and bring up this issue for a vote so we can have an open debate 
in the People's House.

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