The following is the complete text of a
congressional resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution
that would legally define marriage as the union between a man and a
woman only. The resolution (H.J Res 56) calling for the Federal
Marriage Amendment, was introduced before the House of Representatives
on May 21, 2003.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage. (Introduced in House)
HJ 56 IH
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 56 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 21, 2003 Mrs. MUSGRAVE (for herself,
Mr. HALL, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of
Virginia, and Mr. VITTER) introduced the following joint resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage .
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled
(two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following
article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the
Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the
several States within seven years after the date of its submission for
ratification:
"Article --
"SECTION 1. Marriage in the United States
shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this
Constitution or the constitution of any State, nor state or federal
law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal
incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups."
