Pro-family groups nationwide applauded aloud President Bush’s decision to back a federal amendment to protect traditional marriage, Feb. 24, 2004.

“We are delighted the President has stepped forward on this issue and his announcement serves as a critical catalyst to energize and organize those who will work diligently to ensure that marriage remains an institution between one man and one woman,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice.

“The President understands the importance of this issue and his support for a constitutional amendment is both timely and welcomed. With efforts intensifying in both Massachusetts and California to legalize same-sex marriage, a constitutional amendment affirming marriage as between one man and one woman is necessary and appropriate to meet these challenges. The President’s announcement is vital to launching the amendment process and efforts to protect marriage. We are grateful for his support on this most important issue,” said Sekulow.

Mathew Staver, from the Liberty Council agreed, saying: “I applaud President Bush for his support of a Federal Marriage Amendment to preserve marriage between one man and one woman.”

The Liberty Council were the legal representatives of the Campaign for California Families group, which took the mayor of San Francisco to court for illegally issuing “marriage” licenses to gay couples.

“The courts are not the place where our common cultural history of marriage between one man and one woman should be changed. Marriage is the most important social and cultural issue of this century, and this issue should be for the people to decide, not the courts. I am confident when the people speak through their state and national representatives, they will overwhelmingly choose to once and for all time preserve marriage between one man and one woman. A federal constitutional amendment will honor the will of the people and remove the courts from social engineering,” Staver announced on the Liberty Council website.

Dr. Donald E. Wildmon, Chairman of the American Family Association also highlighted the necessity of the President’s statement.

"Amending the Constitution is something not to be taken lightly, nor does it come easily. The president understands renegade judges and mayors are taking the law into their own hands, against the will of the people," said Dr. Donald.