MELROSE DEMOCRATIC CITY COMMITTEE

Congratulations to Jim Shaer on his selection to be a Kerry delegate and Don Lehman as an Edwards delegate at the DNC!

MDCC LINKS

DEMOCRATIC NEWS

DEMOCRATIC LINKS

NEWSLETTERS

City Committee Officers

Chair Dan Barry

Vice-Chairs

Joseph Sullivan

Beth Goldman

Deborah Lewis

Secretary Rebecca Fuentes

Treasurer Sally Frank

Affirmative Action/Outreach

Alison Socha

Ward Committee Chairs

Ward 1 Susan Fagan

Ward 2 Eric Wildman

Ward 3 Toni Whitmore

Ward 4 Bob Boisselle

Ward 5 Steve Spain

Ward 6 Jim Shaer

Ward 7 Joseph Sullivan

What Ward Am I In?

DEMOCRATIC QUOTE OF THE MONTH

The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use -- of how to get men of power to live for the public rather than off the public."

Robert Francis Kennedy

MELROSE DEMOCRATIC CITY COMMITTEE

The monthly meeting has been postponed until June in order to attend:

State Representative Mike Festa’s 50^th Birthday Roast

Wednesday, May 12^th, 2004

Memorial Hall, 7-9 P.M. 590 Main Street , Melrose Donation: $50

Celebrate Mike's 50^th Birthday and his 30^th Anniversary of his first elected office (Melrose School Committee).

Campaign Website: www.mikefesta.com

Down the Road:

Thursday, May 27th, 2004

Coffee and Pastry for State Senate Candidate Katherine Clark

7-8:30 P.M. 4 Wentworth Rd. (Corner of W. Emerson and Wentworth)

Be part of the Melrose wave to take back our senate seat. Bring you neighbors, friends and family to meet Katherine and join her campaign. Donations welcome.

RSVP: mwhitmore@keyspanenergy.com or (781) 466-5102 or (781) 979-0098

July 26-29, 2004 : Democratic National Convention

July 27, 2004: Democratic National Convention Event:
EMILY's List will host an exciting luncheon at the new Convention Center on Tuesday, July 27. This fundraiser for the 2004 Democratic national and statewide races is your opportunity to see and hear some of the most influential women elected to (and running for) the United States House and Senate. It is a once-in-our-lifetime chance to attend a high profile, Boston Convention event. For more information and a reservation, contact Toni Whitmore, Ward 3 Chair (781.979.0098).

July 27, 2004: Democratic National Convention Event:
Democratic Women's Rally - World Trade Center - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(more details to follow). Contact: Toni Whitmore (781.979.0098).

Caucus to Elect Kerry Delegates to the National Convention

Saturday, April 3^rd, 1 PM

Congratulations, Jim!

In a three hour heavily contested affair at Malden High School presided over by Congressman Edward Markey, City Committee member and Ward Six chair Jim Shaer has been selected to be a national delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Boston this summer. He ran as part of a winning slate that includes Representative Bob DeLeo (Revere/ Winthrop), Representative Rachel Kaprielian (Cambridge/ Watertown), Representative Carol Donovan (Reading/ Stoneham/ Woburn), and long-time democratic activist Patricia Deal from Arlington.

As many of you know, Jim is a long time supporter of Senator Kerry and former assistant to the Senator. The City Committee came out strong at the lengthy caucus in support of Jim and the rest of the slate and are happy that Melrose will be represented at the convention by a man who has stood by the Senator. In a continuing demonstration of the power of the individual voter, Jim was selected by the necessary 50% +1 that is required by the rules of the caucus after multiple ballots..

Congratulations, Don

Don Lehman was selected as a John Edwards delegate to the convention as well. Don is united with Jim and the rest of the party in the support of John Kerry for President. Melrose will be well represented at the Fleet Center in July as the Democratic Party surges to victory in November.

Annual Voluntary Dues Collection

Over the next couple meetings, Treasurer Sally Frank will be collecting voluntary annual dues. Dues can also be mailed to Sally at 87 Swains Pond Avenue. Melrose, MA 02176 Suggested amount is $20. Thank you.

My Vote on DOMA

By Rep. Mike Festa (D-Melrose)

On November 17, 2003 , the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in the Goodridge decision ruled that a ban on same-sex civil marriages violated the Massachusetts state Constitution, the oldest Constitution in the world, and the basis for the United States Constitution. They ordered that same-sex civil marriage licenses must be issued starting in May, 2004. Their ruling has no effect on the religious definition of marriage and can place no restrictions on the types of marriages that a Church or other religion can choose to recognize.

In response to that ruling, the Senate recently passed a comprehensive civil union bill and sought an advisory opinion from the Court on its constitutionality. I supported that approach because I believed that defining marriage as between a man and a woman made sense, so long as we insured that same-sex couples were given equal treatment under the law. But the Supreme Judicial Court has found that “separate but equal” treatment of marriage and civil unions was unconstitutional.

Now pending in the Massachusetts Legislature is a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit civil marriage “or its legal equivalent” to one man and one woman, the so-called “DOMA” and effectively ban same-sex civil marriages and civil unions.In order for the proposed amendment to take effect, it must be approved by a majority of two successive joint sessions of the state Legislature, and then by a majority vote of the electorate. The first of the legislative deliberations is scheduled to take place on February 11, 2004 . Under the Constitution, the earliest the popular vote could take place is in November, 2006.

I have received more telephone calls, letters, e-mails and comments on the issue of same-sex marriage than on any other issue in my three terms as a State Representative. I have read every letter and I have listened to every opinion. I truly appreciate all of the input that I have received on this difficult issue. My mail on this issue is divided virtually equally. For every letter I get in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, I get one on the other side of the issue.

During this process, I have tried to be a good listener and to respectfully consider the opinions of all of my constituents. I am honored that so many fine constituents have shared their own, often highly personal, reasons for taking one side or another in this debate. Like many members of the public, many members of the Legislature are struggling with this extremely complex and difficult issue.

So why not just let the people decide on this issue at the ballot box? That question deserves an answer.

The authors of the Massachusetts Constitution outlined a very specific procedure for amending the Constitution: The proposed constitutional amendment must be agreed to by a majority of a joint session of the Legislature, voting in two successive sessions of the Legislature, and then submitted to the electorate for a vote. A majority of the legislature must “agree to” the proposed amendment; we do not merely pass it on to the voters for their consideration. I therefore have a sworn constitutional duty to either agree to the proposed amendment or disagree with the proposed amendment.

I also have a grave concern about submitting questions dealing with the civil rights of a minority group (in this case, homosexuals) to a majority vote of the people. It is the duty of all people to protect the civil rights of everyone - whether we agree with them, whether we like them, or whatever our feelings may be. If the question of equal rights for African-Americans were put to a popular vote in the last century, I am not sure that it would have passed by a majority - but no thinking person today would deny basic civil rights to African-Americans. Similarly, equal rights for women might not have passed at the ballot box at certain times in our history. It is the responsibility of the majority to protect the civil rights of the minority.

Discrimination against minority groups by the majority can take many forms. At the turn of the Twentieth Century, discrimination against Catholics, Irish, Italians, Jews and other immigrant groups was rampant. The struggle by African-Americans for equal rights has been long and tortured. In every case it was the Court system that gave the impetus to protect the civil rights of the affected groups. And so today we have the Court system prodding a reluctant society to grant equal marriage rights for gays and lesbians.

But, is this truly a civil rights issue? Isn’t this really about protecting the traditional definition of marriage?

It is in fact a civil rights issue when one group of American citizens is denied certain rights available to all other citizens. Today, gays and lesbians are denied health insurance, retirement and pension benefits, tax considerations, hospital visitation rights and 1,400 other rights, benefits and privileges simply because they can’t be married. This is simply wrong. We should not tolerate a society where some citizens are second-class citizens.

But doesn’t the legalization of same-sex marriage cheapen the marriage of traditional married couples? I have yet to see how anyone’s marriage is threatened by the legalization of the union of a same-sex couple who probably love each other, respect each other, and cherish their relationship as much as anyone else does. These couples exist everywhere today; they are our neighbors, our co-workers and our friends. Letting others celebrate marriage should in fact strengthen the institution of marriage, not threaten it. I recognize the threats to marriage in today’s America , but the threats are from forces totally unconnected to whether or not same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

There is another issue that deserves consideration. Under the Goodridge court order, in May of this year same-sex couples will be married in Massachusetts . There is nothing, under our constitution, that any legislator or any Judge can do about it. The earliest that the proposed constitutional amendment could be ratified by the voters would be November of 2006. For two years, same-sex couples will be getting married, starting families and living amongst us. What are we to do in November 2006, divorce them against their will and nullify their families? This is America , we cannot do that.

One aspect that must be made clear about the Supreme Judicial Court ’s decisions on same-sex marriage is that the decisions only apply to civil marriage; any Church or other religious organization is still free to apply whatever standards or restrictions they choose on who they will marry and under what conditions. The Courts have not, and should not, impose their will on the religious aspects of marriage. As I am today defending the civil rights of same-sex couples to marry, I will fight equally hard on behalf of the rights of religious organizations to choose whom they will marry and the conditions of those marriages and ceremonies. If any Church or other religious organizations choose to deny religious marriage rights to certain individuals, I will defend their right to do so.

In the final analysis, I will vote against the proposed constitutional amendment. I cannot codify discrimination in the world’s oldest Constitution. Our Constitution is a sacred document that should serve as an expression of rights and not a limitation on rights. I cannot, in good conscience, vote to make discrimination in any form lawful. I did not run for office to hurt anyone or to deny equal protection. I ran for office to help people and to promote the equal protection under the law and the Constitution. The proposed constitutional amendment is deeply flawed and would serve to deny basic civil rights to many Massachusetts citizens and I will vote against it.

VICTORY CARD FOR DEMOCRATS IN MASSACHUSETTS
--Toni Whitmore

Don't miss the boat to help our candidates, yourself, your City Committee, and the Massachusetts Democratic Party. How? By applying for the Victory credit card, a new initiative of the MDP. If you have not signed up yet, do it today. The Victory Master Card is issued by Juniper Bank, a partner with the MDP in this initiative. Applications are available from your Ward or City Chair. All you have to do is fill out the application (no application fee), submit the application, and within 4-6 weeks you will receive your Victory Card (Platinum Master Card).

Why another credit card? This one is unique. Following your application and one purchase with the Victory Card, the Party receives $40 from Juniper Bank. If the application is coded with the Melrose Democratic City code, the State Committee will reimburse the City Committee $10 for every application. The Party also receives money every time you use it (.45% of each purchase is reimbursed to the MDP coffers). This is an important initiative that could potentially earn enough money to fund the Party's operations each year and provide resources for the Party to assist local committees and candidates. We all have too many cards now; so just cut up those other ones and onto Victory in 2004 with your Mass Dems credit card. Questions, comments, or applications, call Toni Whitmore, Ward 3 Chair, (781) 979-0098. Sign up friends and family members over 18. Each application means more support for our candidates. Remember - each card plus one purchase with the card equals $30 for the State + $10 for Melrose Democratic City Committee!

Website Project Underway

Check out preliminary designs at http://www.melrosedems.org (THANKS DON!) or http://home.comcast.net/~melrosedems/. Have ideas for improving the design or content of the site? Send an e-mail to Nyal Fuentes, Webmaster, at melrosedems@comcast.net. We want your input!

Save a little paper, Save a little postage…

… sign up for the Melrose Dems e-mail list. You will receive the monthly newsletter and other late-breaking news by e-mail from our new address: melrosedems@comcast.net. Just send an e-mail to that address if you are interested. For those who don’t have access to e-mail, or don’t check regularly, US Mail will always remain an option.

Please submit all announcements to Rebecca Fuentes at (781) 620-1150, or melrosedems@comcast.net, for inclusion in the next newsletter.

2004 Presidential Candidates

John Kerry for President
www.johnkerry.com

Kucinich for President Committee
www.kucinich.us

Local Democratic Candidates

Katherine Clark for State Senate

GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA

PARTY AND ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS

OUR DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATURE

2004 Presidential Candidates

Local Democratic Candidates

OTHER DEMOCRATIC LINKS