Week Ending Feburary 20, 2004
Religious Freedom Coalition
February 21, 2004 2:18PM EST
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 20, 2004
CONGRESS IN RECESS
TOP ISSUES
"GAY" MARRIAGE AND ARNOLD
Can the mayor of one city tell the entire United States what to do? That is the question I put to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger when I asked him to stand up and do what was right and declare the mayor in violation of the law. My fax to the governor, sent on Tuesday, read:
Governor Schwarzenegger,
The entire nation is watching while the mayor of San Francisco thumbs his nose at state law and you do nothing. Do the laws passed by the legislature of your state mean nothing? As long as you are passive the law breaking continues. At the very least you could announce that the same sex marriage licenses issued by the city of San Francisco are not valid in the state of California.
William J. Murray, Chairman
Later that same day, after receiving faxed letters and calls from hundreds of civic leaders in the United States the Governor finally responded saying that the marriages in San Francisco were indeed unlawful. The governor ordered the California Health and Human Services agency which records marriage licenses to refuse to register them. The licenses will be returned to the City of San Francisco because they have been "altered" to remove "groom" and "bride" and replace them with "Applicant #1" and "Applicant #2" or other such terms. Under state law, issuing an invalid marriage license is a crime punishable with prison time. When will Mayor Newsom of California be arrested? Judge Roy Moore was removed from office when he "violated" a court order ordering the removal of the Ten Commandments. When will the mayor of San Francisco be removed from office? When will the city clerk be arrested? When will the White House make a statement on this outrage? (Breaking news: San Francisco has filed a lawsuit to force the state of California to recognize their "gay marriages" and the California Attorney General has said he will fight the suit.)- HAVE YOU SIGNED OUR MARRIAGE PETITION?
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Judge Roy Moore and several congressmen and Senators held a news conference last Friday just as our weekly update was released. What was proposed by Judge Moore and presented by Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) is the Constitution Restoration Act of 2004. The bill would restrict federal courts from forbidding any official acknowledgment of God as the sovereign source of law, liberty and government. Judge Moore notes that not only does the Declaration of Independence of this nation acknowledge God, but so does the constitution of every state. The bill, if passed, would remove the requirement of any state court from following the decisions of the federal courts in these matters.
The bill would cover all present bills pending before Congress regarding the Pledge of Allegiance, Ten Commandments, "In God We Trust" as the National Motto and all other acknowledgment of God. Under Article III of the Constitution the Congress has the final authority over the Judiciary in all matters. The Congress not only has the right, but the duty to rein in the courts when they no longer act in the best interests of the people and their elected representatives. (See text of Constitution Restoration Act )
SUPPORT THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
Do you display the Ten Commandments in your home or in your office? Last year the Religious Freedom Coalition offered plaques of the Ten Commandments on Jerusalem stone. The Jerusalem stone is mined in Israel and the Ten Commandments actually etched into the stone. The plaques are still available in the original size of 9 by 4.75 inches and also a larger format of 11 by 9 inches. The larger plaque is suitable for an office reception area or a church foyer. Both size Jerusalem stone plaques are in a gold tint frame ready to hang. A small paper weight version is also available at a reduced cost. For the time being free expression is still allowed in the United States on private property. In addition our Internet store has added a Ten Commandments lapel pin. All of the items can be seen at the Holy Land section of our Internet store.
UNBORN VICTIMS
Senate Leadership has scheduled a floor vote on the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (Laci and Connor's Law) HR 1997 for Thursday, February 26th. This is a simple law which makes it a crime to kill or injure an unborn child while committing a crime against the mother. Pro-abortionists hate this bill because it elevates the legal status of a "fetus." There will be a no-holds-barred attempt to derail the bill by Democrat leaders who are told what to do by the abortion industry lobby. It is important that your congressman hear from you about Laci and Connor's Law.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COALITION
The Internet security certificate for the Religious Freedom Coaltion is valid and up to date. The warning being received at the RFC online store and on our support page is in error. The ISP providing our Internet service is aware of the problem and is working to fix it. There are NO security issues with shopping at our Internet store which is operated and secured by Microspoft Corp.
I will be traveling soon to the Holy Land to work with ministries leading Palestinians to Christ. This trip has been delayed for a few weeks while we seek additional funding, but I will be able to leave Washington, DC during March. Whatever help with our international work you can give is greatly appreciated. To assist us in our work with credit card gifts click here!
William J. Murray, Chairman - Religious Freedom Coalition
Visit our Internet store at www.rfcstore.com .... After Christmas discounts ... See closeout items!
Please address all comments and questions to support@rfcnet.org.
TO SUBSCRIBE OR BE REMOVED CLICK HERE| Religious Freedom Coalition P.O. Box 77511 Washington, DC 20013 General Correspondence: support@rfcnet.org Special Events: events@rfcnet.org | DC Advocacy Office: (202) 543-0300 Administration: (202) 742-8990 |