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You've Got My Vote, Senator!
Jul. 14th, 2006 05:09 pm"Dear Mr. Caprio:
I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding your support for gay marriage in the Commonwealth. I appreciate your dedication to this issue and I stand firmly with you in the belief that all couples should be able to enjoy the rights and benefits that marriages offers.
As you may know, this past week the Legislature convened in a Constitutional Convention to discuss a number of items on the calendar, including an initiative petition on health care, the allowance of absentee voting and a proposal to increase the term of the General Court from two to four years. Unfortunately, there was a move to recess the Constitutional Convention before the gay marriage initiative petition was debated; a move that I did not support. The Constitutional Convention is in recess until November 9, 2006 at which point this matter is expected to be addressed. I understand that many people have expressed their frustrations on this delay and I share in these frustrations; however, the Senate President has assured us that this matter will come before the Legislature for a vote in November.
Many constituents have proclaimed this issue as a debate about the democratic processes; however, it must not be overlooked that this issue is also a civil rights debate. The issue of gay marriage has stirred many strong feelings amongst the public, and I understand that reasonable people can disagree on the validity of this debate. The voices of democracy are deeply rooted in the public’s right to participate in the democratic processes and I believe that this right has been duly exercised with the number of individuals from both sides of the issue that have expressed their views. As someone who has been elected by the voting constituents of the Cape and Islands, I must now serve in my capacity as an elected official to study, debate, and vote using my best judgment.
In past Constitutional Conventions, I voted against amending our state Constitution, and to continue to allow for all couples to marry in Massachusetts. I will continue to support legislation to extend equal rights to gay couples, a right I feel is guaranteed in the Massachusetts Constitution, and to oppose any proposal that would limit the civil rights of a segment of our population.
Once again, thank you for your continued activism on this important issue; I hope you will continue to be an active participant in the legislative process. Please do not hesitate to contact my Legislative Director, Julie Holstrom, or me with any further questions or concerns.
Very Truly Yours,
ROBERT A. O’LEARY
State Senator
Cape & Islands District"
I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding your support for gay marriage in the Commonwealth. I appreciate your dedication to this issue and I stand firmly with you in the belief that all couples should be able to enjoy the rights and benefits that marriages offers.
As you may know, this past week the Legislature convened in a Constitutional Convention to discuss a number of items on the calendar, including an initiative petition on health care, the allowance of absentee voting and a proposal to increase the term of the General Court from two to four years. Unfortunately, there was a move to recess the Constitutional Convention before the gay marriage initiative petition was debated; a move that I did not support. The Constitutional Convention is in recess until November 9, 2006 at which point this matter is expected to be addressed. I understand that many people have expressed their frustrations on this delay and I share in these frustrations; however, the Senate President has assured us that this matter will come before the Legislature for a vote in November.
Many constituents have proclaimed this issue as a debate about the democratic processes; however, it must not be overlooked that this issue is also a civil rights debate. The issue of gay marriage has stirred many strong feelings amongst the public, and I understand that reasonable people can disagree on the validity of this debate. The voices of democracy are deeply rooted in the public’s right to participate in the democratic processes and I believe that this right has been duly exercised with the number of individuals from both sides of the issue that have expressed their views. As someone who has been elected by the voting constituents of the Cape and Islands, I must now serve in my capacity as an elected official to study, debate, and vote using my best judgment.
In past Constitutional Conventions, I voted against amending our state Constitution, and to continue to allow for all couples to marry in Massachusetts. I will continue to support legislation to extend equal rights to gay couples, a right I feel is guaranteed in the Massachusetts Constitution, and to oppose any proposal that would limit the civil rights of a segment of our population.
Once again, thank you for your continued activism on this important issue; I hope you will continue to be an active participant in the legislative process. Please do not hesitate to contact my Legislative Director, Julie Holstrom, or me with any further questions or concerns.
Very Truly Yours,
ROBERT A. O’LEARY
State Senator
Cape & Islands District"