Social Issues Ministry Release-January 2010

The bill (Bill # A2978 & S1967), the "Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act," to legalize gay marriage in New Jersey was DEFEATED by a vote of 20 to 14 in the State Senate on Thursday, January 7. Praise God! THANK YOU for your constant prayers and righteous activism throughout this long legislative battle. Together, with other culture warriors in our state, we made sure that traditional marriage that God ordained between one man and one woman was protected by our elected leaders in Trenton.

Like they have attempted to do in other states after same sex marriage has been voted down, gay activist groups may try to circumvent the legislative process by taking this issue to the State Supreme Court. So stay tuned. GAP will keep you posted as always. Thankfully our incoming Governor Chris Christie is a big supporter of traditional marriage and the office of Governor of New Jersey does have a lot of power vested in it under our state Constitution. Also, we need to be proactive and keep the pressure on our state legislature to pass a constitutional amendment to place the question on the ballot so we can vote on protecting marriage between one man and one woman like 31 other states have done and in the affirmative. 31-0!

Below is a breakdown of how the 40 member New Jersey State Senate voted on the gay marriage bill as reported by NJ.com Please call and/or e-mail to thank the 20 State Senators who voted "NO" on the bill and for righteousness to be upheld! Go to www.njleg.state.nj.us/ and click on find your legislator and then click on alphabetical list of members to get their phone numbers. Click on their name and then click on contact your legislator(s) to e-mail them. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!

YES (14)
Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic)
Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex),
Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), co-sponsor
Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex)
Sen. Teresa M. Ruiz (D-Essex)
Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham (D-Hudson)
Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-Hudson)
Sen. Nia H. Gill (D-Essex)
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), co-sponsor
Sen. Robert M. Gordon (D-Bergen)
Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union)
Sen. Joseph F.Vitale (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer)

NO (20)
Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May)
Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D- Essex)
Sen. John A. Girgenti (D-Passaic
Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-Hudson) .
Sen. Fred H. Madden (D-Gloucester)
Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer)
Sen. Robert W. Singer (R-Ocean)
Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Morris)
Sen. Christopher Bateman, (R-Somerset)
Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R -Union)
Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth )
Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos (R-Monmouth)
Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen)
Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Hunterdon)
Sen. Kevin J. O'Toole (R-Essex)
Sen. Philip E. Haines (R-Burlington)
Sen. Christopher J. Connors (R-Ocean)
Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris)
Sen. Steven V. Oroho (R-Sussex)
Sen. Sean T. Kean (R-Monmouth)

ABSTENTIONS (3)
Sen. Paul A. Sarlo (D-Bergen)
Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester)
Sen. James Beach (D-Camden)

DID NOT ATTEND SESSION (2)
Sen. Diane B. Allen (R-Burlington- Illness)
Sen. Andrew Ciesla (R-Ocean) Senator Ciesla's legislative district includes Toms River, Brick, Island Heights, Lavallette, Bay Head, Manasquan, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, South Toms River