Over 1000 Stand Up for Marriage

Over one thousand Coloradans participated in the Stand Up for Marriage Rally on the west steps of the capitol on Friday, February 20, 2004. Representative Kevin Lundberg welcomed the crowd stating "we are here today because we are deeply concerned, deeply concerned because the bedrock institution of our culture is under attack. We have committed to stand up for marriage, knowing that a healthy and flourishing culture must have at its core, a solid respect of the union of one man and one woman in the formation of the marriage relationship."

Representative Lundberg, the sponsor of the state resolution supporting the Federal Marriage Amendment, was joined on the steps by Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, the sponsor of the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment, The Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Denver and other officials from conservative organizations, including the Family Research Council, Focus on the Family and the Rocky Mountain Family Council.

Proponents rallied those in attendance, telling them the Federal Marriage Amendment is needed to prevent unelected activist judges from imposing their will on the people. "The assault on marriage is the greatest threat this nation has ever seen, "said Tom Minnery of Focus on the Family. " Same-sex marriage is a battering ram that is aimed at the family."

Archbishop Chaput extolled the crowd stating, "we need to wake people up, now. We need to organize and act, now. Too much is at stake to sit on the sidelines. Social Science, the wisdom of our religious traditions, and the simple common sense of our lived experience, all point in one direction that marriage is the union of one man and one woman."

Governor Bill Owens also sent his support of Colorado's resolution and the Federal Marriage Amendment through a message read by Representative Lundberg. The Governor referenced that "Colorado has long been on record, through state law, that the institution of marriage should be reserved solely for one man and one woman." He went on to state that he was proud to sign that bill into law in 2000. His statement closed with an endorsement for passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment and ratification by the states.

Congresswoman Musgrave spoke from her heart. As the prime sponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment she has become a national spokesperson for the defense of traditional marriage. She said "We are not going to be cavalier about this judicial activism...when advocates of same-sex marriage are unable to get their points of view adopted through the legislative process and elected representatives, they shop around for unelected judges, who will agree with them." Congresswoman Musgrave stated she is sponsoring a constitutional amendment to ensure that marriage be a union between a man and a woman because, "I knew the threat to marriage was imminent."

The rally concluded with Representative Lundberg thanking those in attendance for their solid commitment to actively stand up and defend traditional marriage. He encouraged, "never give up in your defense of that which is right, just and true."