Mass. Constitutional Convention (Feb.2004)

Constitutional Convention (Monday, March 29, 2004)

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CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2004

Rep. Malia was recognized. She said this has been an experience of a lifetime. These last few weeks have been difficult for all of us. For me personally, I have had many emotional moments here, but I have learned firsthand to stay together and to pursue the final outcome of fairness. I appreciate the many people who are taking the many risks and standing up for my rights. Your courage has taken my breath away. It has brought tears to my eyes. It has changed people’s views of what government is all about. I think that we’ve seen lives exposed today. We have seen unbelievable honesty. We have exchanged feelings that are very, very hard to work with. I have come to a better understanding of the people’s integrity in this chamber. I need to be able to tell you from the very basic point I operate from. This is a vote to take away protections. Again, a vote for this amendment is to say to the many law abiding gay families across the commonwealth, that we are not equal. It is the essence of the discussion here. At the end of the day, what happens here, effects me in a very negative way. The matter before us, however it may be framed, is about equal rights. It is about stabilizing families and protecting children. It is about economic stability for elderly couples who do not have options. It is about accepting that while we share many differences, ultimately we share the common goal. This debate today is about substance. This is not about which word we choose to call it. It is about putting me and my family into a separate and unequal class. I thank you for the opportunity to speak here. I know you are looking into your hearts and voting for what is right. Your vote today will be remembered not only by the constituents we serve but in the history pages. If you chose to tell us we are not equal, I don’t go away. We will still raise our families. We will sit beside you, work together, but we will never give up the right to have full, equal rights of this society. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.Sen. Travaglini ordered the roll call.SENATE VOTE WAS 17 - 22

HOUSE VOTE WAS 88 – 70BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 105 – 92 AMENDMENT IS ACCEPTED.Sen. Lees moved for reconsideration. It was rejected.RECESS: At 6:09 pm, the convention recessed to reconvene on Tuesday at 1 pm. Sen. Travaglini said consideration will be given to other items on the calendar and we will get through as many of them as we can.

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Pictures and Photos Local News Constitutional Convention Transcripts Username Password	Constitutional Convention (Monday, March 29, 2004) «Previous Page · 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 · Next Page» CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2004 Rep. Malia was recognized. She said this has been an experience of a lifetime. These last few weeks have been difficult for all of us. For me personally, I have had many emotional moments here, but I have learned firsthand to stay together and to pursue the final outcome of fairness. I appreciate the many people who are taking the many risks and standing up for my rights. Your courage has taken my breath away. It has brought tears to my eyes. It has changed people’s views of what government is all about. I think that we’ve seen lives exposed today. We have seen unbelievable honesty. We have exchanged feelings that are very, very hard to work with. I have come to a better understanding of the people’s integrity in this chamber. I need to be able to tell you from the very basic point I operate from. This is a vote to take away protections. Again, a vote for this amendment is to say to the many law abiding gay families across the commonwealth, that we are not equal. It is the essence of the discussion here. At the end of the day, what happens here, effects me in a very negative way. The matter before us, however it may be framed, is about equal rights. It is about stabilizing families and protecting children. It is about economic stability for elderly couples who do not have options. It is about accepting that while we share many differences, ultimately we share the common goal. This debate today is about substance. This is not about which word we choose to call it. It is about putting me and my family into a separate and unequal class. I thank you for the opportunity to speak here. I know you are looking into your hearts and voting for what is right. Your vote today will be remembered not only by the constituents we serve but in the history pages. If you chose to tell us we are not equal, I don’t go away. We will still raise our families. We will sit beside you, work together, but we will never give up the right to have full, equal rights of this society. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.Sen. Travaglini ordered the roll call.SENATE VOTE WAS 17 - 22 HOUSE VOTE WAS 88 – 70BY ROLL CALL VOTE OF 105 – 92 AMENDMENT IS ACCEPTED.Sen. Lees moved for reconsideration. It was rejected.RECESS: At 6:09 pm, the convention recessed to reconvene on Tuesday at 1 pm. Sen. Travaglini said consideration will be given to other items on the calendar and we will get through as many of them as we can. «Previous Page · 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 · Next Page»