Washington,
Sep 30, 2004 -
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) gave the following statement today on the House floor during debate on the Federal Marriage Amendment:
“The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees the same rights to all people under the law. All people. It is what keeps us a United States.
“We call ourselves one nation, under God. Surely we know from the Bible that a city, a house or a nation divided against itself cannot stand.
“This amendment divides this nation.
“This amendment creates two classes of people based on sexual orientation. It creates a second class citizenship. In America every individual is entitled to equal protection under the law.
“We could not remain a United States half slave, half free. We could not remain a United States if a woman’s right to vote or to choice were denied. And we cannot remain united if our brothers and sisters are denied equal protection of the law because of their sexual orientation.
“In America we work to eradicate discrimination. In America we work to create a more just and equal society. In America our Constitution should further that goal. In America, our Constitution should give rights, not take them away. In America must continue to fight for equality and justice.
“Here we must always be the land of the free, the home of the brave, where the rights of all people are protected regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation.”
