[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20043]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     MARRIAGE PROTECTION AMENDMENT

  (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 afternoon we will 
debate and vote on the marriage protection amendment. Let us be clear, 
the debate today is not about denying anyone's rights. This is about 
ensuring the will of the people and protecting it. Forty-four States 
have already enacted laws defining marriage as the union between a man 
and a woman. South Carolina is one of these 44 States. The people of my 
State have already decided how they would like for marriage to be 
defined. So as a Representative I am wondering why the will of my 
constituents and that of over 70 percent of Americans nationwide should 
be tossed aside because of a few activist judges because they disagree.
  Unfortunately, a handful of judges have already begun to amend our 
Constitution. They have circumvented the democratic process with their 
rulings. Therefore, the decision we are left with now is not whether 
the Constitution will be amended but who will amend it: activist judges 
or the American people.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me today in supporting 
the marriage protection amendment. It is time we get the debate back 
where it belongs, with the American people.

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