From: Facessd@aol.com
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 11:05:08 -0500
Subject: South Dakota Governor Signs HB 1143

     South Dakota Governor William J. Janklow has signed House Bill 1143 that
changed the definition of marriage to read that marriage is only for a man
and a woman.
     Free Americans Creating Equal Status of South Dakota believes this bill
is a mistake.  
     We believe it is founded in misinformation and in the misinterpretation
of traditional values so widely touted by a few radical citizens who are bent
on the acquisition of political and economic power. 
      We believe HB 1143 passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor
of South Dakota is not founded on the Judeo-Christian principles of "love thy
neighbor" but on a more sinister platform of "hate they neighbor and do
anything it takes to shove them down."
      We have begun an educational campaign in the State of South Dakota
founded on the unique American value of separation of church and state, the
value of equal treatment under law,  the value our loving, gay families have
to us, and  the value and benefits that we as gay and lesbian citizens
provide South Dakota and the nation.
      We believe we are tax-paying, hard-working, nurturing,  beneficial and
creative citizen-assets for the State of South Dakota and the nation.
      We, gay and lesbian citizens, are entitled to the civil benefits of
marriage and to the stabilizing economic and contractual effects it has on
the people who embrace its principles.  
      This pathetic legislation, and the campaign to pass and sign it,
devalued and demonized gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered citizens'
 participation as first class citizens in this state.   
      We are loving and non-violent people who have endured great hardship
and misery at the hand of bigoted oppressors.   We have endured great
tragedies of genocide, plague and horrendous grief.   Now, the Legislators,
Governor and Citizens of South Dakota must not think for one minute that we
are helpless or without the ability to defend our citizenship. 
      We will defend ourselves with our words, our work and our wealth.

Barry Wick
Executive director
Free American Creating Equal Status of South Dakota, Inc.
13121 South Creekview Road
Rapid City, SD  57702-8503
Phone:   605-343-5577
Fax:       605-394-8962
email: Facessd@aol.com
http://www.qrd.org/qrd/usa/south_dakota/FACES
http://www.qrd.org/qrd/orgs/FACES