    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [February 4, 2004]
    [Page 182]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on
    Same-Sex Marriage
    February 4, 2004

        Today's ruling of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is deeply
    troubling. Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman.
    If activist judges insist on redefining marriage by court order, the
    only alternative will be the constitutional process. We must do what is
    legally necessary to defend the sanctity of marriage.