Subject: (AZ) SB1038 MARRIAGE BAN PASSES ARIZONA SENATE
From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 20:49:43 -0400

URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT

ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT

ARIZONA HUMAN RIGHTS FUND

SAME GENDER MARRIAGE BAN PASSES ARIZONA SENATE

Arizona Representative Tom Smith has reintroduced legislation that would ban
same-sex unions performed in other states from being legally recognized in
Arizona.  This legislation was introduced in the form of a strike everything
amendment to Senate Bill (SB) 1038.  The amendment passed the House Judiciary
Committee by a vote of 10 YES, 3 NO, and 1 ABSENT on April 10.  SB 1038 (NOW:
Same sex marriages) passed the Arizona House by a vote of 50 YES, 5 NO, and 5
NOT VOTING on April 12.  SB 1038 passed the Arizona Senate by a vote of 21
YES, 9 NO on Thursday, April 18.

The bill now goes to Governor Fife Symington (R) who can sign it or veto it.
 Governor Symington has stated that he considers this an important piece of
legislation.  In addition, Governor Symington used this issue in the 1994
Governor election against hid Democratic opponent who supported same gender
marriages.

BACKGROUND:  A recent Hawaii Supreme Court ruling makes it more likely that
same sex marriages will be legalized in Hawaii sometime in late 1997 or even
into 1998.  The full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution would
require states to recognize such partnerships throughout the country.  In
anticipation of the ruling radical right legislators in 27 states are
attempting to pass bans on same gender marriages.  Utah, Georgia, Idaho, and
South Dakota have already passed bans.  Bans on same gender marriage has
failed or been withdrawn in 14 states.

TALKING POINTS:

1.  This legislation is unneeded.  Hawaii has not legalized same gender
marriages.  A final decision in the Hawaii case in over a year away.  Arizona
law currently does not allow same gender marriages.

2.  The bill is unconstitutional.  It violates the Full Faith and Credit
Clause of the United States Constitution which requires states to recognize
the official acts (like marriage) of other states.

3.  This law will most likely end up in court at taxpayer expense.

4.  This bill will invalidate existing marriages in Arizona.  Arizona
currently recognizes marriages between first cousins performed in other
states.  Passage of this bill would void the marriages of many Arizona
couples, each of whom could then sue the state.

ACTION REQUIRED:

Note: Calls and letters from outside of Arizona are welcome and encouraged.

1.  Call Governor Fife Symington at 602-542-4331 or 1-800-253-0883 and ask
him to veto SB1038.

2. Follow up with a personal letters. Letters can be addressed to:

Governor Fife Symington
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ  85007

or fax them to (602) 542-7601

3.  Thank the members of the Arizona State Legislature who voted against
SB1038:

SB1038 Senate "NO" Votes - 9 total

 Name                Dist. Party Email                      Phone
 Chris Cummiskey     25    D    [email-masked]  602-542-4916
 Randall Gnant       28    R    [email-masked]    602-542-4138
 Peter Goudinoff     11    D    [email-masked]  602-542-5262
 Mary Hartley        20    D    [email-masked]  602-542-4485
 James Henderson     3     D    [email-masked]  602-542-4323
 Patricia Noland     13    R    In process...               602-542-5911
 Victor Soltero      10    R    [email-masked]  602-542-5342
 Carol Springer      1     R    [email-masked]  602-542-5584
 Austin Turner       15    R    [email-masked]   602-542-4173

Letters can be sent to:
The Honorable [Member Name]
Arizona State Senate
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ  85007

or faxed to (602) 542-3429

SB1038 House "NO" Votes - 5 total

 Name                Dist. Party Email                      Phone
 Ken Cheuvront       25    D    [email-masked] 602-542-5895
 Jorge Luis Garcia   11    D    [email-masked]   602-542-3395
 Joe Eddie Lopez     22    D    [email-masked]    602-542-5830
 Ruben F. Ortega     8     D    [email-masked]   602-542-5761
 Elaine Richardson   11    D    In process...               602-542-4893

Letters can be sent to:
The Honorable [Member Name]
Arizona House of Representatives
1700 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ  85007

or faxed to (602) 542-4208
---------------------------
Web pages and e-mail links to members of the Senate can be found at:

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/members/senate.htm
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/members/house.htm

If you are outside of Maricopa County you may call 1-800-352-8404 and they
will connect you with the appropriate legislative office.

NOTE: All calls and letters should be non-confrontational and polite.

The Arizona Legislative Information Service (ALIS) can be found at:

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/

Through ALIS you can access text of bills, floor and committee votes, members
bios, etc.

Status of Senate Bill 1038 "NOW: Same sex marriages" can be found at:

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/42leg/2r/bills/sb1038o.htm

Text of SB1038 "Same Sex Marriages" can be found at:

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/42leg/2r/bills/sb1038h.htm
-----------------------------

ARIZONA HUMAN RIGHTS FUND
P.O. Box 25044
Phoenix, AZ  85002

voice mail:  (602) 530-1660
fax:  (602) 275-7384
e-mail:  [email-masked]

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us.