ALLEN CALLS FOR AN OPEN, HONEST AND TRANSPARENT DEBATE ON SUPREME COURTS RULING ON SAME SEX MARRIAGES

Senator Diane Allen, (R-7), sent a letter today to Senator Judiciary Committee Chairman John Adler asking that the Committee undertake a comprehensive and deliberative process in response to the decision of the Supreme Court in Lewis v. Harris. The letter is attached.

“t is deeply troubling that media reports seem to indicate that the leadership of both Houses of the Legislature want to conclude this matter, motivated only by political expediency, in the next six weeks, Allen stated. An issue of this importance must be debated in an open and transparent forum. Every opinion on all sides of this issue should be considered before the Legislature moves to satisfy the Supreme Court’s mandate.
November 20, 2006

Honorable John H. Adler
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee
1916 Route 70 East, Suite 3
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003

Dear Chairman Adler:

I am writing to request that the Senate Judiciary Committee undertake a comprehensive and deliberative process in response to the decision of the Supreme Court in Lewis v. Harris. Recent media reports indicate that the legislative majorities intend to enact legislation authorizing civil unions in order to comply with the court’s decision no later than January of 2007.

Regardless of one’s view on the topic of gay marriage, I am sure you would agree that a constitutional issue of such importance must be dealt with in a transparent manner. This is not an issue that can be deliberately rushed through the legislative process simply because “… everyone wants to put it behind us.� Rather, both the adherents of gay marriage and their opponents deserve the opportunity to make their arguments and move legislation and amendments to legislation that support their respective points of view.

I therefore propose that during the remaining 166-day period set out by the Supreme Court for complying with their decision in Lewis, the Senate Judiciary Committee hold a series of committee meetings and public hearings that include discussion on legislation to authorize civil unions, authorize gay marriage, and explore the substantive and semantic differences between these positions. Supporters of legislation to propose an amendment to the State Constitution to provide that marriage shall be the union of one man and one woman also deserve to have their position debated, and not dismissed by the Democrat leadership of both Houses of the Legislature. This is not, as some have suggested, a “protracted debate,� but rather a thoughtful and thorough process that everyone engaged in this discussion should find agreeable.

In closing, I urge you not to throttle an open discussion on this momentous decision simply because many members of the Democrat party are fearful of revealing their position on dispensing with hundreds of years of statutory language and legislative intent and authorizing same sex marriages in New Jersey. If members of the majority have the courage of their convictions and support establishing gay marriage, then the Senate Judiciary Committee would provide the best forum for them to advocate their position.

In closing, I would note that the Legislature has an obligation to the contending parties in this debate, its own membership, and the people of this State to have as fair and open a debate as is possible under the mandate of the Supreme Court’s decision. Thank you for your consideration of my request. I look forward to your response.

Very truly yours,

Diane Allen
Senator, District 7