[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 123 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MARRIAGE PROTECTION AMENDMENT

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                               speech of

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 30, 2004

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong 
objection to this so-called ``marriage protection'' amendment. 
Furthermore, I am appalled that we are spending three and a half hours 
debating this issue when Americans are struggling to cope with much 
more serious issues, with little or no help from this body.
  The sponsors of this bill claim that there is a dire need to amend 
the Constitution in order to protect and promote the notion of healthy, 
stable families. I support the notion of ``healthy families'' but I 
could suggest a number of methods we could use to reach this goal that 
do not include discriminating against an entire class of American 
citizens.
  We could provide healthcare to the over 40 million uninsured 
Americans.
  We could work to offer a real prescription drug benefit for seniors 
so they do not need to choose between food and medicine.
  We could offer real solutions to create economic opportunity for all.
  We could provide the funding necessary to allow all children to go to 
school in a safe and healthy environment.
  We could strengthen programs that combat domestic violence.
  We could renew the assault weapons ban.
  We do not need to prevent two people who love each other from being 
legally recognized as such.
  These are serious issues that too many Americans struggle with every 
day. These are serious problems that Congress could address if we had 
the time and dedication to the real issues. Instead, we stand on the 
floor today playing party politics on a stage that has being held 
hostage by the Republican House leadership's election year politics to 
consider an initiative that the Senate has already overwhelmingly 
rejected.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this unnecessarily 
divisive election year proposal.

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