Since I have posted an overall response to HB444, I thought I’d show my personal letter to Senator Dwight Takamine. For those who are in Hawaii, perhaps you can gather some ideas for your own personal letter to your senator.
March 19, 2009
Dear Sen. Takamine:
I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation for your willingness to serve the people of the Big Island as an elected official. I am aware of the daunting position you have voluntarily chosen to fill. It is my understanding that you and your fellow Senators are facing some extremely delicate issues at the moment. My prayer is that you will be renewed with strength and walk in perfect peace in this season.
Senator, I write with a heavy heart during this critical season of the legislative process. While I fundamentally disagree with the issue of homosexuality and the acceptance of “civil unions”, as defined by the current “HB444”, my concern today is voiced in the simple rights of the people of Hawaii.
As you are far more aware than I am, the people overwhelmingly (70%) upheld the ratified “marriage amendment” in 1998. Clearly, this measure held “the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples”. Furthermore, the “Reciprocal Beneficiaries” (RB) Act states “The legislature finds that the people of Hawaii choose to preserve the tradition of marriage as a unique social institution based upon the committed union of one man and one woman.”
In good measure the people of the Big Island have elected you to serve as our voice. If the overwhelming majority has spoken in opposition to the legal union of same-sex individuals, how is it constitutionally and morally acceptable to ignore our voice? Admittedly, Senator, the passage of such a bill would lead to extended court battles and the frivolous waste of already stretched tax dollars.
We are all aware of the current distrust between the elected officials of our country, state, and county levels. Our elected officials are often viewed through the lenses of skepticism and speculation. Senator Takamine, you have before you an opportunity to legitimatize the trust that our island people have placed within you. You were elected to be our voice, I humbly ask that you would represent our voice and…
1) Leave HB444 in the Senate Judiciary Committee; and
2) Should HB444 be brought to vote, vote in opposition to this bill.
In closing, I would like to respectfully note that though I fundamentally and scripturally disdain this bill, I appeal to you on behalf of the democratic process of our state and nation. I also commit to pray for you and your colleagues during this rather tense session and season.
Sincerely,
[...] the democratic process for which America stands. For more on this, read these two previous posts: Letter to Sen. Dwight Takamine and Response to Hawaii Bill [...]