Washington, DC - 12^th District Georgia Congressman John Barrow (D-Savannah) today issued the following statement in response to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Constance C. Russell's decision to strike down the state's voter-approved ban on same sex marriage: 

"A year and a half ago, Georgia's voters went to the polls and overwhelmingly voted to ensure that marriage remain solely a covenant between a man and a woman.  It was a vote affirming strongly held values and beliefs of people all across Georgia.  Unfortunately, the people's will was overturned in state court yesterday on a legal technicality. 

"I believe that any individual has the right to live his or her life as they please within the law, but I also believe that marriage should follow law and tradition and remain between a man and a woman. 

"Like most Georgians, I hope that the Georgia Supreme Court will overturn yesterday's ruling.  But I'm not willing to stand by as the will of the people is cast aside on technicalities.  That is why this morning I have cosponsored two bills that deal directly with same sex marriage: House Joint Resolution 39 and House Resolution 1100.  Both bills would ensure that the will of voters in Georgia would not be overturned in the courts." 

House Joint Resolution 39 would adopt a Constitutional Amendment declaring that marriage in the United States consists only of a legal union of a man and a woman, and House Resolution 1100, the Marriage Protection Act, would amend the Federal judicial code to limit the jurisdiction of Federal courts to hear or decide questions related to the Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 2004. 

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Contact: Harper Lawson, (202) 225-2823

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