AdvanceUSA is happy to report that the efforts to protect marriage in Oregon have seen success. Earlier this year the Oregon legislature passed two laws which overturn the 2004 voter-approved state marriage amendment. These laws, among other things, would award marriage benefits to same-sex couples. The group Restore America announced Wednesday that they have collected 63,000 signatures, approximately 7,500 more than needed, to halt the enforcement of the laws and allow them to be overturned by a vote of the people next year.
Below is the Restore America press release announcing the signature collection success:
63,000 Signatures Submitted to Oregon's Secretary of State on Petitions 303 and 304*
September 26, 2007
King City, Oregon - Today marks the third time in three years that the People of Oregon have sent a message to the Governor, the legislature, the courts, the media, and to those in Portland, Eugene and Corvallis who are determined to use government to make the people of Oregon yield to something they clearly oppose, and do not want.
The question is, will they get the message? Or will they continue to ignore and deny the will of the people in favor of a fashionable notion perpetuated by a small, vociferous, and well organized interest group that wishes to use the mantra of "discrimination" and Ku Klux Klan intimidation to force their wishes upon us all.
The issue before us today, in the hand writing of 63,000 Oregonians, is about far more than the issue of same sex marriage or turning our moral base upside down.
It is about the abuse of government in the hands of a few who disregard the will of the people and the Oregon Constitution to achieve private and personal political goals to satisfy a small but powerful special interest group.
It is about granting rights and privileges that are unwarranted and where none should be granted, all without the consent or approval of the people.
And it is about the good people of Oregon politely - but firmly - pushing back, saying "No, this is not right." The people of Oregon
It is our hope, prayer, and expectation as citizens, that the Elections Division will not allow valid and honestly gathered signatures to be dismissed.
* 55,179 valid signatures on each bill are required in order to place both on the November, 2008 General Election Ballot for all Oregonians to vote on. 63,000 signatures were turned in on each bill.
Concerned Oregonians
Copyright © 2007, Restore America. All Rights Reserved. have a right to vote on the issues these bills address, especially when the legislature and governor choose to ignore the clear will of the people in Measure 36.