UNITED FAMILIES IDAHO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: JANUARY 19, 2005
CONTACT: MIKE DUFF
(O)(208)684-924
(C)(208)403-4146
e-mail:mduff@unitedfamiliesidaho.org

PRAISE FOR CO-SPONSORS OF MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

Boise—United Families of Idaho President Michael N. Duff praised the 15 original co-sponsors of a proposed state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman and prohibiting homosexual unions or so-called “counterfeit marriages”. “The most profound and emphatic legal and moral statement a free people can make in support of any issue or principle is to place it in their constitution, the fundamental guiding document by which they govern themselves,” Duff said.

Until the state constitution is amended, Idaho’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) remains vulnerable to activist judicial fiat. “We must also prevent activist courts or radical legislators from creating any counterfeit marriage arrangements, such as Vermont’s “civil unions”, or from recognizing as legal in Idaho same-sex “marriages” performed in other states,” continued Duff. “We must protect both the form and function of marriage.”

United Families Idaho (UFI) is a group of Idahoans united in their commitment to help protect the institutions of the family and marriage from the growing cultural and legal threats they face today. UFI accomplishes that mission primarily through educating the public, policy makers, and the media about these underlying threats and the negative impacts they have on Idaho and the nation. They also conduct legal research, help shape public opinion, and support policies and legislation that will strengthen the family and marriage.

“The society we live in today is in turmoil, with constantly shifting values. Radical voices advocate one thing or another in betrayal of time-tested standards of behavior. The moorings of our society have been badly shaken,” added Duff.

“We are pleased that these legislative leaders have answered our call for all responsible citizens and government officials to promote measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”

“The vast body of social science research clearly illustrates the impacts to our society of destabilized families. Idaho is not immune to these forces. State Government has a compelling interest in securing a stable future for Idaho’s families,” concluded Duff

UFI stands prepared to work for the amendments passage in the legislature and at the ballot box.