Maryland News - From The "Et Tu, Brute?" Department

As most of you by now know, the Civil Marriage Protection Act, HB438, passed the Maryland House of Representatives by a 71-67 margin.  A minimum number of 71 votes is needed, so this attack on marriage advanced literally by one vote.  Arguably the blame for that can be laid at the feet of Wade Kach, who announced last Friday his turncoat intentions.  Some of us assumed that O'Malley probably made him an offer he could not refuse.  While that may be true, perhaps other forces were brought to bear.

If this Baltimore Sun report is to be believed (and it probably is), former GOP Vice President Dick Cheney came to Annapolis to lobby for the passage of this marriage mutation bill.  Two days earlier, in committee, Kach had opposed the bill.  Arguably, some of the blame can be shared by Pam Beidle, another Republican (and a Catholic) who turned coat and voted against decency.

Who needs to worry about progressive dems when we have RINOs like these with which to contend?  We need to buck the Gutless Ol' Poops that have been continuously snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.  We can and must make our voices heard this November.

Marylanders! Immediate Action Required To Protect Marriage

Some Republicans in the House who previously promised to protect marriage between a man and a woman show distressing signs of wavering in their convictions.  Governor O'Malley is bringing much pressure to bear on these folks, as any vote (which may happen tomorrow) will be close.

Please urge the following to remain firm in their conviction (and campaign promises) and vote to oppose HB438, the Civil Marriage Protection Act.

Those who need to hear from you are:

Wade Kach of District 5B (Baltimore County) email a.wade.kach@house.state.md.us , phone 1-800-492-7122 x 3359 or 410-841-3359.  He has admitted to changing his vote.  Urge him to be true to principles and change it back.

Pat Hogan, district 3A (Frederick County) email patrick.hogan@house.state.md.us  phone 410-841-3240.  He has stated that he has heard from no one from the true Christian perspective.  We must change that.

Bob Costa, district 33B (Anne Arundel County) email bob.costa@house.state.md.us, phone 410-841-3551

Marvin Holmes, district 23B (Prince George's County) email marvin.holmes@house.state.md.us, phone 410-841-3310

Pamela Beidle, district 32 (Anne Arundel County) email pamela.beidle@house.state.md.us , phone 410-841-3370

And call your own reps as well.

Maryland: Gay Marriage Bill Goes To House Floor

The so-called "Civil Marriage Protection Act" has been voted out of committee and goes to the House floor for a full vote, which could happen anytime now.   Your voice is needed by your delegates to oppose this bill.  Right now, the bulk of communications have come from the gay "marriage" proponents.  Your voice is needed!

Both the Maryland Catholic Conference and the Maryland Marriage Alliance have pages that allow you to communicate with your House delegates.  Please take a moment NOW and do that.

Maryland Gov O'Malley And Allies Begin Same-Sex Marriage Onslaught

A few days ago, Gov O'Malley introduced Senate Bill 241 "Civil Marriage Protection Act", designed to legalize so-called "gay marriage" in Maryland.  Hearings will begin in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee this Tuesday, January 31st.

The Maryland Marriage Alliance is sponsoring a rally to be held Monday evening, Jan 30, from 6-8pm in Annapolis.  More details are on their flyer, which can be printed and circulated.  Please come.

Last year we helped stave off this marriage mutation attempt by our many phone calls, faxes and emails.  It's time to mobilize ourselves and friends to action once again.  Please contact the members of the Judicial Proceedings Committee and ask them to kill this terrible bill.  Here is a list of the committee members and it links to the pages of the members for their contact information.  Please - let's start on this immediately and encourage everyone you know to spread the word and do the same.

An important note - Governor O'Malley appears to be a main driving force behind this marriage deformation attempt.  He calls himself "Catholic".  Let us point out to our bishops that he is a prime example of why they should be obeying Canon 915.

Addendum:  Here's another good source for info on this issue and other Maryland matters - Maryland Patriots.  Here's their page on the marriage matter.  Check this page from time to time.

Marriage Preserved In Maryland, By The Grace Of God...

And also by a lot of hard work by many concerned citizens over these past several weeks!  Democrat leaders in the House, not wanting to have a failed vote on the measure designed to pervert the definition of marriage, moved it back into committee, putting it into abeyance for the year.

Some are laying the "blame" on Catholics and black churches.  If such be the case, I for one accept such "blame" with glee.

This is the sort of thing that can happen when enough good people stand up and take action and raise our voices - and rely on God's grace.  Now make no mistake - this bill is NOT dead.  It is merely put on mothballs for a while.  The progressive elements will trot this thing out again, most likely next year.  We must be just as vigilant and just as ready to take firm, sustained action.

Keep Lobbying The Maryland House Of Delegates To Preserve Marriage!

Please contact House Delegates NOW

The latest word is that the same sex marriage bill's supporters are still a few votes short of the 71 votes needed to send the bill to the governor. Read the Times article on how you have made a difference.

But activists are pulling out all the stops, seeking to win over the handful of delegates who have not yet declared how they will vote. The full House opened debate on the bill today, with a vote to come at any time. We need your help today. Help keep the pressure up! Help make sure your delegate gets the message: The people of Maryland do not want to redefine marriage. Period.

CONTACT THE FOLLOWING DELEGATES

Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (Democrat, District 27ACalvert & Prince George's)
joseph.vallario@house.state.md.us, (301) 423-8100

Delegate Veronica Turner (D26 Prince George's County)
veronica.turner@house.state.md.us, (410) 841-3212,(301) 858-3212

Delegate John Olszewski, Jr. (D6 Baltimore City)
john.olszewski@house.state.md.us, (410) 841-3458, (301) 858-3458

ERIC M. BROMWELL (Democrat, District 8, Baltimore County)
House Office Building, Room 415,(410) 841-3766, (301) 858-3766
e-mail: eric.bromwell@house.state.md.us

RUDOLPH C. CANE (Democrat, District 37A, Dorchester & Wicomico Counties)
House Office Building, Room 364,(410) 841-3427, (301) 858-3427
e-mail: rudolph.cane@house.state.md.us

ANA SOL GUTIERREZ (Democrat, District 18, Montgomery County)
House Office Building, Room 220, (410) 841-3181, (301) 858-3181
e-mail: ana.gutierrez@house.state.md.us

ROBERT A. COSTA (Republican, District 33B Anne Arundel County)
House Office Building, Room 159, (410) 841-3551, (301) 858-3551
e-mail: bob.costa@house.state.md.us

Delegate Tawanna Gaines (D22 Prince George's County)
tawanna.gaines@house.state.md.us, (410) 841-3058,(301) 858-3058

Delegate James Proctor, Jr. (D27A, Calvert & Prince George's Counties)
james.proctor@house.state.md.us, (410) 841-3083, (301) 858-3083

Delegate Kriselda Valderrama (D26 Prince Georges County) * Judiciary Committee
kris.valderrama@house.state.md.us, (410) 841-3210, (301) 858-3210

Delegate Melody Griffith (D25 Prince George's County)
melony.griffith@house.state.md.us, (410) 841-3557, (301) 858-3557

Delegate Melvin Stukes (D44 Baltimore City)
melvin.stukes@house.state.md.us, (410) 841-3544, (301) 858-3544

Delegate Marvin Holmes (D23B Prince Georges)
marvin.holmes@house.state.md.us, (410) 841-3310, (301) 858-3310

Delegate Nathaniel Oaks (D41 Baltimore City)
nathaniel.oaks@house.state.md.us, (410) 841-3283, (301) 858-3283

Delegate Barbara A. Robinson ( D40 Baltimore City)
barbara.robinson@house.state.md.us (410)841-3520 (301)858-3520

Send an email to your own delegates.
Please take action right now. Your email could make the difference.

Call individual legislators-Phone 301 970 5000

URGENT We believe the vote may be on Friday; that is TOMORROW.

If you can go to Annapolis and lobby these delegates as well as your own today or tomorrow now is the time!

Come out for the vote in Annapolis in House chambers on Friday (March 11th) from 10:00-1:00 and if they don't have it because of your calls go and lobby some more.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS AND CALLS!!!! Forward this alert/blog post to as many people as possible.

Maryland Citizens! Keep Up Those Phone Calls And Emails!

HB175 is on the House floor now.  If it passes, O'Malley will sign it.  Please - in addition to your own delegates - call and email the following:

District 19-(Montgomery County) Sam Arora- 410-841-3528 sam.arora@house.state.md.us
District 43¬(Baltimore City) Curt Anderson- 410- 841- 3291 curtanderson43@aol.com
District 8-(Baltimore County) Eric Bromwell- 410-841-3766 eric.bromwell@house.state.md.us
District 40- (Baltimore City) Frank Conaway- 410-841-3189 frank.conaway@house.state.md.us
District 22- (PG County) Tawanna Gaines- 410-841-3058 tawanna.gaines@house.state.md.us
District 25-(PG County) Melony Griffith- 410-841-3557 melony.griffith@house.state.md.us
District 44-(Baltimore City) Keith Haynes- 410-841-3801 keith.haynes@house.state.md.us
District 46-(Baltimore City) Brian McHale-410-841-3319 brian.mchale@house.state.md.us
District 28-(Charles County) Peter Murphy- 410-841-3247 peter.murphy@house.state.md.us
District 27A (PG County) James Proctor- 410-841-3083 james.proctor@house.state.md.us
District 47-(PG County) Michael Summers- 410-841-3340 michael.summers@house.state.md.us
District 40 – (Baltimore City) Shawn Tarrant- 410-841-3545 shawn.tarrant@house.state.md.us
District 13-(Howard County) Frank Turner- 410-841-3246 frank.turner@house.state.md.us
District 26-(PG County) Veronica Turner- 410-841-3212 veronica.turner@house.state.md.us

For a "one-stop" web location of all contact information, visit http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/hseal.html

Act NOW To Save Maryland Marriage - Keep On Lobbying Your Representatives!

We're getting down to the wire in trying to preserve marriage and family life in Maryland.  Your calls and emails are desperately needed.  I have it on good source that your calls and emails are having an impact, but we cannot let up now.  The progressive, anti-Christian forces are rallying assistance from outside the state; we must continue to let our representatives know that for the sake of our society, we won't stand for the notion of marriage being bastardized.

The focus is on the House of Delegates in Annapolis.  The Senate passed their version a few days ago.  We must stop it in the House.  Else, if it passes the House, Governor O'Malley has indicated that he will sign it into law.

My previous post on this matter linked to the actual House bills; read them.  Then contact your particular representatives.  If you don't know who they are, go here and follow the instructions.  Then call and email your representatives right now.

URGENT MARRIAGE ACTION ALERT

The battle to keep traditional marriage from being redefined in Maryland is still on! The marriage bill, which will allow same sex marriage in Maryland, was passed in the Maryland Senate on a preliminary vote. The final vote will happen tonight. This is despite the facts that a poll released just last week found that by a 54-37 margin, Maryland voters believe that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. And in over 30 states where there has been a vote on same-sex marriage, the people have consistently rejected same-sex marriage. Your senator can be called at 301-970-5000.

Now, the battle moves to the Maryland House and more than ever, your help is needed!

1. The House is holding a hearing on Marriage Bills TOMORROW, Friday February 25, 2011 at 1PM in the House Judiciary Committee Room Lowe House Office Building, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis.
.
The bills to be heard are
• Delegate Dwyer's HB 963 for a constitutional amendment to protect marriage between a man and a woman and
• The opposing bills HB 55 & HB 175 which would remove the words "a man and a woman" from the definition of marriage.
• Speakers on both sides of the issue will be there and the opposition is busing people in to Annapolis. We need people who are in favor of traditional marriage to come show their support!
• The hearings can be listened to by webcast.

2. Two press conferences one at 11AM and the second at 12:30AM for each of the Marriage Bills which will be heard are also scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) and your presence there is crucial too! One is being held by Maryland for Marriage Coalition opposing HB 55 &135, and the other is being held by Del. Dwyer. You are invited to attend both events.

3. Contact your legislators and the members of the House Judiciary Committee and let them know that you oppose legislation redefining marriage, and wish to uphold traditional marriage. Click here for a link to the Judiciary Committee's website.

4. Testify for the Constitutional Marriage Amendment as well as against the same sex marriage bills by calling Louisa Baucom, Legislative Aide to Del. Don Dwyer Jr. District 31 at 1 410-841-3047 NOW. If you are providing written testimony, you will need to hand in 35 copies of your testimony before noon.
• Click here to email your legislators.
• Click here to contact the Senate Judicial Committee.
• Click here to contact the House Judiciary Committee.
• Call individual legislators-Phone 301 970 5000

Spread the word! Forward this notice to friends!

Testify for the Constitutional Marriage Amendment as well as against the same sex marriage bills by calling Louisa Baucom, Legislative Aide to Del. Don Dwyer Jr District 31 at 1 410-841-3047 NOW. If you are providing written testimony- you will need to hand in 35 copies of your testimony before noon. Instructions below courtesy of Del Dwyer Jr's office

Please contact Louisa Baucom as soon as possible so that she can help with testimony and sign in. If you have never testified in Committee before, below are FAQs to help familiarize you to the process. Please feel free to call if you have any further questions or need further clarification.

If you are providing written testimony- you will need to bring 35 copies of your testimony. She will not have the manpower to make the copies here.

This is a crucial part of the legislative process, having a strong showing in support of, or in opposition to any bill can and does make a difference.

Appearing in Annapolis before the committee sends a much stronger message than emails, please bring your friends and family. Also please note, the push is on in the gay community to pass same sex marriage this year- they will be here in force.

Testifying in Annapolis FAQ

Q: How much time will I get to speak?
A: 3 minutes, more if members of the Committee wish to ask questions or ask for further testimony or explanation.

Q : How much notice will I get of the hearing date?
A : Unfortunately, it could be weeks or days in advance, or it could be a short as a day.

Q: How much time should I plan on being in Annapolis?
A: Again, this depends on variables such as; number of bills being heard that day, order of bills being heard, and number of people testifying on each bill. The rule of thumb is to plan on spending the day if you can or spending the amount of time you are able.

Q: Can I testify as an individual citizen?
A: yes

Q: Where do I park, and driving directions
A: park in any of the garages in Annapolis or at the Navy Stadium and ride the shuttle in. You can email don.dwyer@house.state.md.us or call our office at 410-841-3047 to request driving directions and parking information be sent to you via email or regular mail.

Q: Where do I go to testify?
A: Committees are located in the Lowe House Office Building at 6 Bladen Street. Contact me to confirm the committee (Marriage Bill will be in Judiciary, Personhood will be in Health and Government Operations)


Maryland for Marriage Coalition Press Conference
Friday, February 24, 2011
11 a.m. (people should gather at 10:30 a.m.)
Lawyers' Mall, near the State Capitol Bldg.
Annapolis
(in case of inclement weather, go to House of Delegates Bldg., Rm. 150, Balt. City Delegation Caucus Room)

Delgate Dwyer's Press Conference
Friday, February 25, 2011
12:30 p.m.
Main lobby of Lowe House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis

The best parking for all events is at the Navy Stadium, which has a shuttle to the Capitol. You can also try off street or parking garages in the area.


CHECK OUT OUR NEW MARYLAND FOR MARRIAGE WEBSITE.

MARYLAND4MARRIAGE.COM

Maryland To Vote On Same-Sex Marriage This Week

I posted an alert on Feb 2 regarding the attack on marriage and family life in Maryland, vis-a-vis bills SB 116 and HB 55.  Go back to that link and study it closely.

Hearings were held on these measures last week.  It could well go to a vote this week.  If it passes, Governor O'Malley indicated that he would sign it. 

Let your state senator and your representatives know that you won't stand for the undermining of family life in Maryland.  On the Feb 2 page is a link that will guide you to the emails of your representatives.  Do so now!

Immediate Action Needed To Protect Marriage In Maryland

Let me just repost an alert from the American Family Association below.

Two identical bills - SB 116 and HB 55 - have been introduced in the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates, which will redefine the God-ordained institution of marriage of "one man and a woman."


Ironically named the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act," the two bills would strike from the existing marriage law the words "a man and a woman," and replace them with the words "two individuals who are not otherwise prohibited from marrying."

The bills also purport to protect "religious freedom" by allowing members of religious bodies to refuse to perform same-sex marriages - but only if and to the extent that such members already enjoy that right under the U.S. or Maryland Constitutions.

The bills would thus allow Maryland human rights agencies and judges to require a priest or pastor to perform such marriages, or to punish the refusal to do so, unless (s)he could establish an existing constitutional right to be free from that requirement - a showing that would likely require protracted, expensive litigation.

Because Governor Martin O'Malley has already indicated he would sign such a bill if it reaches his desk, it will be important to stop the legislation in the General Assembly.

Take Action.  Do your part to protect the institution of marriage in Maryland!

Email your Maryland Senator and Delegates now, asking them to vote against changing the definition of marriage in Maryland.

To find your particular representatives, click here.


A note to Montgomery County Residents/Voters:
In my last post I urged that the Montgomery County Council be voted out in 2014.  Today I received affirmation of my suggestion, particularly for Nancy Floreen.  She introduced today a resolution asking the Maryland legislature to legalize same-sex marriage.  Read her own blog post on the matter.  See how the moral rot has infested Montgomery County?  Isn't it high time that the cleaning/fumigation commence?

Please follow the site http://maryland4marriage.com/

"Gay Marriage" Bill Introduced In Maryland Legislature

It's called the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act", and its purpose is to repeal a section of Maryland law that stipulates that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid.  LifesiteNews has more discussion on that measure.

"Catholyc" Governor Martin O'Malley said that he would sign the measure if it passes the legislature.  In that case, we will bring the measure to referendum.