“Californians have made known their support of traditional marriage and its importance to a healthy family unit for our children’s future,” said Knight. “We are here today asking all the state legislators and Governor Davis to sign a Marriage Protection Pledge to ensure the will of the people is honored.”
March 7, 2001 will mark the one-year anniversary of the passage of Proposition 22, and on that day the names of legislators who have signed, and those who have refused to sign, will be revealed to the public. The Pledge has already gained bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans.
Also speaking at the news conference was Randy Thomasson, author of the Marriage Protection Pledge and Executive Director of Campaign for California Families (CCF), a statewide nonpartisan pro-family organization.
“The purpose of the Marriage Protection Pledge is to protect marriage as an institution in the State of California,” said Thomasson, who co-sponsored today’s news conference. “Marriage is, was, and always should be, a relationship between a m an and a woman.”
This year’s main legislative threat against marriage is Assembly Bill 25 by Assemblymember Carole Migden (D-San Francisco). AB 25 would undermine marriage by awarding 11 marriage benefits to non-married people, specifically, “domestic partnerships.” I n addition, AB 25 would burden private businesses and taxpayers when many of the benefits can already be accessed through inexpensive legal contracts and responsible planning.
At the news conference, Senator Knight publicly signed the pledge to show his continued vigilance to protect marriage in California. “Over 61 percent of the California voters support marriage between a man and a woman,” said Knight. “It is the Legislature’s duty to protect marriage and refuse to give spousal-equivalent benefits to any other type of relationship. Without the basic unit of traditional marriage, society will not stand.”
Also speaking was Assemblyman Anthony Pescetti (R-Elk Grove), whose Sacramento County district voted overwhelmingly for Prop. 22. “We’re kicking off round two for protection of marriage,” said Pescetti. “Marriage and family holds our state t ogether. What better way to recognize the family than to recognize the mother and the father, and the bond of marriage between the man and the woman.”
Joining Knight at the news conference were fellow Senators Dick Ackerman (R-Fullerton), Ray Haynes (R-Riverside), and Dick Monteith (R-Modesto). In addition to Pescetti, Assemblymembers speaking at the news conference included David Cogdill (R-Modesto) , Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Temecula), Jay La Suer (R-El Cajon), Dennis Mountjoy (R-Arcadia), and Phil Wyman (R-Tehachapi).
assemblymember and state senator. Call their offices and urge them to sign the pledge if they have not signed. If they have thank them.
