HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.071-04 RESOLUTION NO. 'Z~] Series of 2004
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
OPPOSING ANY AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION THAT
WOULD DEFINE MARRIAGE AS A UNION THAT CAN EXIST ONLY BETWEEN A
MAN AND A WOMAN.
WHEREAS, Colorado Senator Wayne Allard and Colorado Representative Marilyn
Musgrave have introduced legislation in the United States Senate (" S.J. Resolution 26") and the
United States House of Representatives C H.J. Resolution 56") seeking to amend the United
States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment would read as follows:
Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a
woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be
construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon
any union other than the union of a man and a woman.
and;
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment would effectively prohibit the enactment of any
State or local legislation that would provide for same-sex civil marriage or same-sex civil unions;
and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment would preclude any court in the United States from
declaring state laws that limit marriage between a man and a woman only as unconstitutional
under our current federal or state Constitutions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen has a proud history of protecting the civil rights of all of
its citizens and guests, evidenced by the passage of Ordinance No. 60, adopted in 1977, which
prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and employment opportunities against groups
traditionally discriminated against, including persons because of their "affectional or sexual
orientation;" and, participation as Plaintiffs in the United States Supreme Court case entitled
Romer v Evans, 116 S.Ct. 1620 (1996), wherein the Court struck down as unconstitutional an
amendment to the Colorado Constitution that would have. forbidden state and all local
governments from adopting or enforcing any law or policy protecting lesbians, gay men and
bisexuals from discrimination; and
WHEREAS, marriage laws have traditionally been the purview of individual States; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen has been, and remains committed to the protection of civil
rights for all people as expressed in the United States and the Colorado Constitutions and the City
of Aspen Municipal Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ASPEN, COLORADO, THAT:
Section One
The City Council of the City of Aspen opposes any amendment to the United States
Constitution that would define marriage as a union that can exist only between a man and a
woman.
Dated~
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing is
a tree and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen,
Colorado, at a meeting held /~~ //~ ,
2004.
rk
JPW- saved: 7/13/2004~67-G:\john\word\resos\marriage.doc