Stonewall Calls for Unity in Presidential Address
(Tuesday, January 31, 2006)
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats called on President Bush to unify the country while addressing Congress tonight, and urged the President to put aside past appeals for discrimination. In his 2005 State of the Union address to Congress, President Bush told the nation that granting marriage equality to same-sex couples deterred parents from raising "moral children."
"As President Bush has allowed Iran to expand its nuclear capability since addressing the 'axis of evil' in his 2002 address, and with turmoil in Iraq and uncertainty in the Middle East, the world will be watching our nation tonight while looking for leadership from our President," said Eric Stern, NSD Executive Director. "President Bush should retain this opportunity to extend solutions to the concrete concerns that face our country, and not as a stump speech that seeks to stigmatize a group of Americans for political purposes."
From President Bush's 2005 State of the Union Address (February 2nd, 2005):
"Our second great responsibility to our children and grandchildren is to honor and to pass along the values that sustain a free society. So many of my generation, after a long journey, have come home to family and faith, and are determined to bring up responsible, moral children. Government is not the source of these values, but government should never undermine them.
Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society, it should not be re-defined by activist judges. For the good of families, children, and society, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage."
President Bush will address the United States Congress from the House of Representatives at 9:00pm (EST) this evening.
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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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