Encouraging Support

June 30, 2003


Mr. David _________
___ _____ Road, # 2
Somerville, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. __________:

Thank you for sharing your opinion with me regarding a proposed federal
marriage amendment. I appreciate your comments.

Legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives that
would amend the U.S. Constitution to define marriage solely as a union
between a man and a woman. The proposed Constitutional amendment would
also prohibit states from passing laws to give legal recognition and
benefits received by married couples to unmarried couples.

I have serious concerns about this legislative proposal. I am troubled
that the proposed Constitutional amendment would nullify the rights of
unmarried persons- including unmarried relatives, heterosexual couples,
and gay and lesbian couples- under domestic partnership laws in many
states. I am also concerned because an amendment to define marriage as a
union solely between a man and a woman would open up our Constitution for
potentially serious new limits on personal freedom. Finally, I am
concerned that the precedent of acting to limit our citizens' right to
personal choice in marital relationships could lead to the imposition of
additional limits upon our constitutional rights in the future. Marriage
and divorce laws are under the purview of the states, and any state may
currently reject the marriage laws of another state. To amend the
Constitution for a states' rights issue goes against one of the founding
principles- the separation of powers- upon which the Constitution is
based.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me
on this or any particular issue of concern to you.



Sincerely,

John F. Kerry
United States Senator