2001-2009 gubernatorial press release: on Civil Rights


Jack Markell: Bans discrimination based on sexual orientation

Discrimination in any form is wrong, and I am proud to be signing a law that guarantees civil rights for all. Today's signing is a triumph for the hundreds of Delawareans who worked endlessly to increase equality.

The law adds sexual orientation to the state's anti-discrimination statute, which already bans discrimination based on traits such as gender, age, religion, nationality and handicap. Discrimination is prohibited in areas such as employment, housing, insurance and public accommodations.

Source: 2009 gubernatorial press release, "Equal Rights" Jul 2, 2009

John Lynch: Legalized gay marriage so same-sex couples have same rights

Today, we are standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear that they will receive the same rights, responsibilities--and respect--under New Hampshire law.
Source: 2009 gubernatorial press release, "Gay Marriage Bill" Jun 3, 2009

Phil Bredesen: The great stain on our dream has been racism

I would like to tell you something that only I can: what Martin Luther King taught me. I love America. It's not perfect, and it never will be. But the dream, that people who are free will move it ever closer to that perfect union--the dream that, with God's help, we can govern ourselves, is real to me. I believe in it.

The great stain on our dream in my lifetime has been racism. And yet, just when we seem stuck as a people, just when we seem unable to ever start clearing that stain, along comes a Martin Luther King. Along come all those who worked with him, along come all those who followed him. And he taught us. And the world changed.

What Martin Luther King taught me--what he taught me by his living, by his dying, by the vigor and persistence of his vision--what he taught me was that America is a land that is still young, a land that is still new, a land that still harbors undiscovered shores. A land where we, with God's help, can indeed be reborn.

Source: 2008 gubernatorial press release: "MLK Assassination" Apr 4, 2008

Scott Walker: Marriage is to be between one man and one woman

Many years ago, I concluded that we must change the Wisconsin State Constitution to say that marriage is to be between one man and one woman. My belief in this position is even stronger today.

The State Legislature is currently deliberating this issue, and I strongly urge them to pass the constitutional amendment defining a marriage as a commitment between one man and one woman. Then, it will be up to the voters to say what defines a marriage in Wisconsin.

Current law in Wisconsin already defines marriage as between a husband and a wife. Because the courts in other states have broaden the definition of marriage, the constitutional amendment makes it clear that the only marriages recognized in Wisconsin are between one man and one woman.

State law in Wisconsin also prohibits marriage if either person has a living husband or wife or if the people attempting to get married are under a particular age. In other words, state law already regulates who can and who cannot get married in Wisconsin.

Source: 2005 gubernatorial press release, "Marriage" Nov 29, 2005

  • The above quotations are from 2001-2009 gubernatorial press releases.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
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  • Click here for more quotes by Dave Freudenthal on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for more quotes by Christine Gregoire on Civil Rights.
Candidates and political leaders on Civil Rights:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5: