January 22, 2004 - Volume 2, Issue 3

Marriage Amendment Resolution Introduced

Michigan Rep. Gary Newell has introduced a joint resolution that would amend Michigan’s constitution in favor of traditional marriage. The resolution states that "only marriage between one man and one woman shall be recognized as valid in this state." The resolution also states that "no other relationship shall be recognized as a marriage or its legal equivalent by the state…regardless of whether such a relationship is recognized by the laws of any jurisdiction outside of this state."

The resolution makes it clear that same-sex marriage would not be recognized by the state of Michigan even if performed or recognized in another state.

Joint resolutions must pass with two-thirds approval of both houses of the legislature before being presented to voters. If voters approve the proposed amendment, it automatically becomes part of our state constitution.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact their state representatives to ask for their support of House Joint Resolution U. For more information about the resolution, click here. To contact your legislators, click here.

President Highlights Marriage and Teen Abstinence in
State of the Union Address

President George W. Bush spotlighted both marriage and teen abstinence in his annual state of the union address earlier this week. The President has kept promotion of healthy marriages at the forefront of his social agenda since coming into office in 2000. His speech called on the nation to "defend the sanctity of marriage," and made it clear that if activist judges continue to "force their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process."

The President also took the opportunity to promote abstinence as the "only certain way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases," and said he would call for a doubling of federal funding for abstinence programs.

An increase in abstinence funding is all the more important on the heels of a new report from the Heritage Foundation showing that for every dollar the government spends on abstinence education, they spend twelve dollars ($12) to promote "family planning" and condom use. Click here to view details of this disturbing new report.

Youth who are committed to remaining abstinent until marriage are encouraged to make a public demonstration of their commitment on the national "Day of Purity" – Friday, February 13. For more information about the "Day of Purity," visit the organizers’ website, www.lc.org/dayofpurity.htm.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

This coming Sunday, January 25, is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Various pro-life groups take this opportunity once per year (near the date of the Roe v. Wade decision) to commemorate the loss of life and to spotlight continuing efforts to build a "culture of life" in America.

This emphasis on the sanctity of human life is an opportunity for individuals across the state to hear about the "People’s Override" initiative announced at a press conference last week. Petitions are available for those who would like to help enact the Legal Birth Definition Act. For information about the People’s Override, click here. For further information about Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, click here.

Michigan Senate Passes Abortion Waiver Bill

As Sanctity of Human Life Sunday approaches, Michigan has cause to celebrate with the recent Senate passage of HB4478. This bill would develop guidelines for judges granting waivers for teens to obtain an abortion without parental consent. It would also prevent teens from "shopping for a judge" by allowing only one waiver request. The bill now returns to the House for a final vote before being sent to the Governor for her signature. For more information, click here.

Michigan Congressman Proposes Legislation Toughening Fines for Obscenity Violators

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has finally decided to listen to the complaints of thousands of Americans regarding television obscenity. FCC Chairman Michael Powell is asking Congress to increase fines by ten-fold if broadcasters air indecent material.

Michigan Congressman Fred Upton chairs the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Rep. Upton plans to introduce legislation that will help Powell and the FCC enforce fines and penalties against stations and networks airing indecent material. For more information, click here.

Covenant Marriage Sunday – February 15, 2004

The Covenant Marriage Movement (CMM) consisting of over 60 Cooperating Ministries and Organizations and 27,000 couples around the world, has designated the third Sunday of February as Covenant Marriage Sunday. CMM is encouraging churches throughout the nation and around the world to corporately affirm and celebrate marriage as a covenant relationship.

Phil Waugh, Executive Director of the CMM stated, "It is our goal to eventually have 50,000 congregations throughout the Judeo-Christian world affirming marriage as a covenant relationship during their morning worship hour(s)." For more information, click here.

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Forum Online

1003 N. Washington, P.O. Box 15216

Lansing, MI, 48901-5216

Phone: (517) 374-1171, Fax: (517) 374-6112

www.michiganfamily.org

Executive Director: Brad Snavely

Editor: Jon Stanton

Graphic Design: Beth Hafer

Questions? E-mail us: info@michiganfamily.org

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