Constitutional Convention (Monday, March 29, 2004)
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2004
Rep. St. Fleur was recognized. She said I think all of you
have heard arguments for and against this amendment ad nauseum today. But I’d
like to tell you how proud I am to be an American today. In America,
this is where we settle our differences. We do not take to the streets. In America,
we struggle to recognize and respect the rights of each and every individual. Because
we have it, we take it so lightly. As many of you know, I was born in a country
that today is being ripped apart. It is being ripped apart because we do not
value the constitution. We have something to celebrate here. We have a living
document that we are called upon to protect and build upon. Not to take away.
The wonderful thing about this constitution, it doesn’t say if you are black
you ought to be protected, it doesn’t say if you are gay you ought to be
protected. There’s nowhere in the world that we have that kind of gift. All
individuals ought to be treated equal under the law. I’m proud to be a resident
of Massachusetts. It is men and
women from Massachusetts who have
often taken on the role in Legislatures just like this to advance the call of
the individual. We have been the leaders of protecting the rights of
individuals in this country. And I beg you to live up to that tradition. Don’t
take away someone’s rights. It doesn’t harm you to allow another group of
individuals be recognized. I have to tell my three children that sometimes they
will be treated differently. I have to tell them that they have to treat
everyone as they treat you. We have to treat them that. We send a message when
we enshrine in our constitution that says we’re going to provide a set of
rights to some, but you’re going to be a little different. I value tradition,
but what is the tradition we’re trying to protect? That we should create a
loving, structured environment. Gay marriage does not harm my marriage. And I
ask anyone to come and tell me how, as a heterosexual, it harms their marriage.
I have been called all sorts of names. My faith is one of the most important
things to me. I have been told I am not catholic. I have been told I do not
appreciate what it is to be a catholic. But I will tell you this – my God does
not judge on differences. My God taught me to treat everyone as a human being.
(Rep. St. Fleur quoted President John F. Kennedy). We all are a product of our
environment. And I think each of us is trying to figure out a way to get this
done and get this done well. But I am proud to stand in the eye, because I can
stand here and look the good lady from West Roxbury in
the eye. I hope we leave here with a constitution in tact. A constitution that
protects all of us and does not create a two-tiered system. I hope this
amendment will fail.Rep. Travis was recognized. He said you’ve heard about
three hours from the other side of the debate. I commend them for their
political savvy. We come from an amendment I offered two and a half years ago.
We still have that language in the amendment. And we have added language to
allow civil unions. There are 38 other states that have laws against gay
marriage. And we go the extra step. We add the language fully describing civil
unions. Everyone quotes John Adams, and everyone reads his mind. We know what marriage
was back then. It was the union of one man and one woman. They had no idea this
would come up. Someone just quoted Abraham Lincoln for signing the Emancipation
Proclamation and freeing the slaves. Well he didn’t do it. It was the 13 states
who ratified it. I have listened for 10 people in a row that my amendment is
violating the constitution. For those who say we’re changing the rights, marriage
today is still only the union of one man and one woman. There are no civil
rights granted. I’m not taking anyone’s rights away. I am going to vote for the
amendment. And I hope the Republican Party does not walk away from this. In
this chamber, you lose your amendments, you fight for what is best. And what is
best is still the union of one man and one woman, in the constitution. They
can’t leave here with their marriage from the SJC. Even if they get it on May
17, they can’t get it outside Massachusetts.
Will it change things? Yes it will. Marriage will not be marriage when that
particular day takes place. They’ll outlaw Fathers Day and Mothers Day in Massachusetts.
For those who wish marriage to be protected, the option left only to us, is to protect
the option before us. I hope this amendment is adopted.
