February 11, 2004

ROMNEY STATEMENT REGARDING CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Today, you are witnessing democracy in action. On issues of fundamental importance affecting all of the people, it is ultimately up to the people to decide.

That is what this Constitutional Convention is all about. It serves as an important reminder that no one person and no branch of government is above the voice of the people.

This is as it should be.

Amending the constitution is a serious matter and any changes to the document itself should be finely and narrowly drawn.

I recognize that the Senate President and the Senate Minority Leader are trying to find a compromise that will satisfy people on both sides of this issue, but their proposed amendment goes too far. The Constitution should not be used to legislate new social policy.

A constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman is not a new proposal but rather a codification of longstanding policy and tradition.

Civil union language is best left to the legislative process. My hope is the Constitutional Convention will approve an amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman. If we do that, we will have taken an important step toward restoring the people’s voice in their own government.

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