HSLDA | Indiana Legislation 2008—Senate Joint Resolution 7: Traditional Marriage Amendment

June 25, 2008

Senate Joint Resolution 7: Traditional Marriage Amendment

Author:
Senators, Brandt Hershman, Vic Heinold, Richard Bray, Robert Jackman, John Waterman, Dennis Kruse, Johnny Nugent, Gary Dillon, Michael Young, Mike Delph, Thomas Weatherwax, Marvin Riegsecker, Jeff Drozda

Summary:
As many of you may know, a traditional marriage amendment has been introduced in Indiana during the pass few legislative sessions. Senate Joint Resolution 7 would have allowed Indiana voters to amend the Indiana Constitution to state that marriage is between one man and one woman.

On Thursday, January 24, 2008 the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to pass SJR 7 out of committee by a vote of 5 to 4. However, as SJR 7 came to the full Senate, leaders refused to allow the resolution to come to a vote.

The proposed amendment stated:

“(a) Marriage in Indiana consists only of the union of one man and one woman.
(b) This Constitution or any other Indiana law may not be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups.”

Status:

1/8/2008		Introduced and referred to Judiciary Committee
1/24/2008		Passed by judiciary committee and sent to the full senate

HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA supports S.J.R. 7.

Action Requested:
No further action requested at this time.

Background:

Your right to homeschool rests on another freedom: the freedom to direct the education and upbringing of your children. Underlying your right to homeschool are parental rights, which are supported by the sanctity of marriage. Anything that undermines marriage may ultimately undermine parental rights and therefore threaten your freedom to homeschool.

Amending the Indiana Constitution will protect marriage from activist state judges. Without this amendment, an activist judge, out of step with the citizens, will one day redefine marriage for everyone.