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NOTICE: - While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the data herein, this is NOT the official version of Senate Journal. It is published to provide information in a timely manner, but has not been proofread against the events of the session for this day. All information obtained from this source should be checked against a proofed copy of the Senate Journal. |
Monday, March 29, 2004.
Joint Session of the Two Houses to Consider
Specific
Amendments to the Constitution.
At five minutes past ten o'clock A.M., the two Houses met in
JOINT SESSION
and were called to order by the Honorable Robert E. Travaglini, President of the Senate.
The
President, members, guests and employees then recited the pledge of allegiance
to the flag.
Prayer was offered by the Reverend Robert F. Quinn, C.S.P.,
Chaplain of the House, as follows:
Eternal God, the Ultimate Source of
Compassion and Truth, during this moment of reflection and prayer, we focus our
attention on You and on spiritual and human values. In carrying out our many and
varied responsibilities, we depend upon You and Your assistance in our efforts
to serve You faithfully and people thoughtfully. Help us to achieve the purpose
for which we have been created by You. As elected leaders, in addressing and resolving
complex, sensitive and emotional issues and policies, teach us to respect the
dignity and the uniqueness of each individual person in our diverse communities.
Let our disagreements on issues be respectful, civil and rational. During these
times of possible terrorists activity, inspire us to work together in building
a peaceful, caring and just society in which the common good is a common goal.
May we remain faithful to our philosophical principles and religious commitments
and beliefs.
Grant your blessings to the Speaker, the Senate President, the
members and employees of this House and Senate and their families. Amen.
The Proposal was as follows:--
ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT.
It being the public policy of this commonwealth to protect the unique relationship
of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized
as a marriage in the commonwealth. Two persons of the same sex shall have the
right to form a civil union if they otherwise meet the requirements set forth
by law for marriage. Civil unions for same sex persons shall provide entirely
the same benefits, protections, rights, privileges and obligations that are
afforded to persons married under the law of the commonwealth. All laws applicable
to marriage shall also apply to civil unions.
This Article is self-executing, but the general court may enact laws not inconsistent
with anything herein contained to carry out the purpose of this Article."
Pending the question on agreeing to the amendment, Messrs. Berry and Baddour
moved to amend the proposal by striking out the text and inserting in place
thereof the following text:-
"Only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as
a marriage in the commonwealth.
Two persons of the same sex shall have the right to form a civil union if they
meet the requirements set forth by law for marriage. Civil unions for same sex
persons shall provide entirely the same benefits, protections, rights, privileges
and obligations that are afforded to persons married under the law of the commonwealth.
All laws applicable to marriage shall also apply to civil unions.
This Article is self-executing, but the general court may enact laws not inconsistent
with anything herein contained to carry out the purpose of this Article."
(as corrected BTR.)
Pending the question on adoption on the amendment, Messrs. Travaglini and Lees
moved to amend the amendment by striking out the text and inserting in place
thereof the following text:-
"The unified purpose of this Article is both to define the institution
of civil marriage and to establish civil unions to provide same-sex persons
with entirely the same benefits, protections, rights, privileges and obligations
as are afforded to married persons, while recognizing that under present federal
law benefits same-sex persons in civil unions will be denied federal benefits
available to married persons.
It being the public policy of this Commonwealth to protect the unique relationship
of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized
as a marriage in the commonwealth. Two persons of the same sex shall have the
right to form a civil union if they otherwise meet the requirements set forth
by law for marriage. Civil unions for same sex persons are established by the
Article and shall provide entirely the same benefits, protections, rights, privileges
and obligations that are afforded to persons married under the law of the commonwealth.
All laws applicable to marriage shall also apply to civil unions.
This Article is self-executing, but the general court may enact laws not inconsistent
with anything herein contained to carry out the purpose of this Article."
(as corrected BTR)
Pending the question on adoption of the further amendment (Travaglini-Lees),
Mr. Peterson of Grafton raised a point of order, which being stated that the
amendment being debated was out of order for the reason that it was accepted
in improper order.
The Chair ruled that the point of order was NOT well taken, insomuch as the
amendments were not taken improperly.
Mr. Jones of North Reading appealed the ruling of the Chair and it was seconded
by Mr. Peterson of Grafton.
During consideration of the appeal, at two minutes past two o'clock P.M., Mr.
Jones of North Reading doubted the presence of a quorum and asked for a call
of the yeas and nays to ascertain if a quorum was present. The President, having
determined that a quorum was not in attendance, then directed the Sergeant-at-Arms
to secure the presence of a quorum.
Subsequently a roll call was taken for the purpose of ascertaining the presence
of a quorum at twenty-three minutes before eleven o'clock A.M., as follows to
wit (Answered Present 188) [Senate Yeas and Nays No. 496] [House Yeas and Nays
No. 568]:
INSERT RC "A" Answered Present
The
yeas and nays having been completed at nineteen minutes before eleven o'clock
A.M., a quorum was declared present.
The question, "Shall the decision
of the Chair stand as the judgement of the Joint Session?" was then considered;
and the question thereon was determined by a call of the yeas and nays, at three
minutes before eleven o'clock A.M., on motion of Mr. Peterson, as follows, to
wit (yeas 148 - nays 48) [Senate Yeas and Nays No. 497] [House Yeas and Nays No.
568]:
The
yeas and nays having been completed at four minutes past eleven o'clock A.M.,
the ruling of the Chair was sustained.
Mr. Peterson of Grafton raised a point
of order, which, being stated was that the further amendment (Travaglini-Lees)
is out of order for the reason that the further amendment should not have been
allowed to have been filed without knowing what was before the joint session.
The point of order was NOT well taken, insomuch as the amendments were accepted
in the order in which they were received.
Mr. Jones of North Reading appealed
the ruling of the Chair and it was seconded by Mr. Peterson of Grafton.
The
question, "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the
Joint Session?" was sustained.
The pending further amendment (Travaglini-Lees)
was adopted.
Mr. Peterson of Grafton doubted the vote and asked for a call
of the yeas and nays, and sufficient number of members joining him in this request,
the yeas and nays were ordered.
The question on adoption of the further amendment
was determined by a call of the yeas and nays at eighteen minutes past eleven
o'clock A.M. as follows to wit (yeas 116 - nays 81) [Senate Yeas and Nays No.
498] [House Yeas and Nays No. 570]:
The yeas and nays having been completed at one
minute before twelve o'clock noon, the further amendment (Travaglini-Lees) was
adopted.
Mr. Lees moved that the vote on adoption of the further amendment
(Travaglini-Lees) be reconsidered.
Pending the question on the motion
to reconsider, at twelve o'clock noon, at the request of Mr. Lees, for the purposes
of a minority party caucus, the President declared a recess; and at nineteen minutes
past one o'clock P.M., the Joint Session reassembled, the President in the Chair.
The
motion to reconsider the adoption of the further amendment (Travaglini-Lees) was
considered; and was negatived.
INSERT RC "D" Answered Present
The yeas and nays having been completed at twenty-seven
minutes before two o'clock P.M., a quorum was declared present.
The Proposal
for a Legislative Amendment to the Constitution relative to the affirmation of
marriage (House, No. 3190, amended),- was further considered, the question being
substitution of the further amendment (Travaglini-Lees) for the pending amendment
(Berry-Baddour).
Pending the question on substitution of the further amendment,
Mr. Rogers of Norwood asked unanimous consent to further amend the amendment (Travaglini-Lees)
by striking out the text and inserting in place thereof the following text:-
"It
being the public policy of this Commonwealth to protect the unique relationship
of marriage, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized
as a marriage in Massachusetts. Two persons of the same sex shall have the right
to form a civil union if they meet the requirements set forth by law for marriage.
Civil unions for same sex persons are established by the Article and shall provide
entirely the same benefits, protections, rights, privileges and obligations that
are afforded to persons married under the law of the commonwealth. All laws applicable
to marriage shall also apply to civil unions.
No individual, acting within
the free exercise of religion, or religious organization shall be required to
solemnize or recognize a union between persons of the same-sex, nor shall any
such individual or organization be penalized by the government in any manner for
exercising either their religious beliefs or conscientious objection and refusing
to solemnize or recognize a union between persons of the same-sex.
This Article
is self-executing, but the general court may enact laws not inconsistent with
anything herein contained to carry out the purpose of this Article.",- but
objection was made thereto; and the amendment was laid aside.
The yeas and nays having been completed at twenty-eight minutes before three o'clock P.M., the pending amendment (Berry-Baddour), as amended (Travaglini-Lees) was adopted, as amended.
At the request of Mr. Jones
of North Reading, for the purposes of a minority caucus, the President declared
a recess; and at twenty-three minutes before four o'clock P.M., the Joint Session
reassembled, the President in the Chair.
The Proposal for a Legislative
Amendment to the Constitution relative to the affirmation of marriage (House,
No. 3190, amended),- was further considered, the question being on agreeing to
the amendment.
Mr. Peterson of Grafton moved to reconsider the vote on the
adoption of the pending amendment (Berry-Baddour), as amended (Travaglini-Lees),
but the Chair ruled that the motion was out of order in that it was not made in
timely manner as prescribed by the rules.
Mr. Hynes of Marshfield moved to
divide the question, but objection was made thereto.
At nineteen minutes before
four o'clock P.M., Mr. Hynes of Marshfield doubted the presence of a quorum and
asked for a call of the yeas and nays to ascertain if a quorum was present. The
President, having determined that a quorum was not in attendance, then directed
the Sergeant-at-Arms to secure the presence of a quorum
Subsequently a roll
call was taken for the purpose of ascertaining the presence of a quorum at nineteen
minutes before four o'clock P.M., as follows to wit (Answered Present 195) [Senate
Yeas and Nays No. 501] [House Yeas and Nays No. 573]:
INSERT RC "F" Answered Present
The yeas and nays having been completed at ten minutes before four o'clock P.M., a quorum was declared present.The yeas and nays having been completed at eight
minutes past six o'clock P.M., the amendment was agreed to.
Mr. Lees moved
reconsideration the vote on agreeing to the amendment; and this motion was negatived.
Without further action on the matters duly and constitutionally assigned for
consideration, at nine minutes past six o'clock P.M., the Joint Session was recessed
until Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at one o'clock P.M.
