Legislative Update!

 Civil Union Bill (HB 444 HD1) Scheduled for Hearing 

Senate Judiciary & Government Operations Committee (JGO)

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 

9:00 a.m. in the Auditorium

HB444 HD1 (http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/lists/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=444) which would establish civil unions (aka same-sex marriage), has been scheduled for hearing in the Senate Judiciary & Government Operations Committee (JGO).  

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We urge you to contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee (we have listed the email addresses separately below).  Please note that it is key that you do each member separately, so we have not included a link to email all of them at once.  

There is some discussion that the bill could be pulled from the committee if it dies.  Therefore, we are also requesting that you also email your own Senators as soon as possible to urge them to oppose HB 444 HD1 should it be pulled from committee. 

(Click here if you do not know who your legislator is.)

Remind our legislators, kindly and respectfully, that the people have spoken overwhelmingly against same-sex marriage.  

(If you need talking points or more information, click here.)

Be assured, proponents will not stop at civil unions.  The battle over traditional  marriage will either be fought here and now in the Senate Judiciary, or it will be fought later.  For example, the state 

of New Jersey passed domestic partnerships in 2004 and then established civil unions in 2006.  In December 2008, a commission established to study civil unions recommended that full same-sex marriage be granted based on inequality. 

ACTION ITEMS:

1. PRAY THAT CIVIL UNIONS (aka same-sex marriage) WILL NOT BECOME LEGAL.

2. Send an e-mail to each member of the Senate Judiciary Committee: 

3. Call the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Phone numbers are listed below.  Their phones need to ring off the hook.

4. Submit written testimony AGAINST HB 444 HD 1.  You can submit testimony several ways: (by 4:00 p.m. prior to the hearing)

· E-mail testimony to:JGOTestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov

· Testimony may be submitted online if less than 4MB in size, at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony

. Fax testimony to Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (neighbor islands)

· On E-Mail / Web and Fax, please include the following information:

· Testifier’s name (Your name)Addressed to the Senate Judiciary Committee   

· Notate the date and time of the hearingTuesday, February 24, 2009 @ 9:00 a.m. (Auditorium)

· Measure Number:  HB 444 HD1

· OPPOSITION TO HB 444 HD1 in the subject line where it will be easily read and noticed.

5. SHOW UP AT THE HEARING TO SUPPORT TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE.  Wear red to show your opposition to HB 444 HD1.

6. Forward this email to your friends and family and ask them to do the same.