Thanks for all the positive responses from last week's letter.  I'll try to keep these going with any new updates I get from HRC, MassEquality and the other sources I use to be informed.  

Please keep forwarding to friends, the link to MY HRC Action page (top link to the right)  I still have a long way to go.  They have just added a 3rd action item for people to take to help me meet my goal of 100 responses.
  

Notable items this week:

MAYOR THOMAS M. MENINO & FRIENDS OF SENATOR DIANNE WILKERSON INVITE YOU TO A RECEPTION IN HER HONOR. 
Tonight: 4/8/2004, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Club Cafe, 
209 Columbus Ave, Boston
   
Ed and I will both be there to show Dianne our appreciation.  
Please try to make it to the event tonight, or donate $$$ to her campaign.  Let's show those who are attacking her and recruiting someone to run against her (because of her position on gay marriage), how much we all appreciate what she has done for us.
 

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LETTER FROM THE AIDE TO QUINCY's REP MARIANO

Jerry,

I know the most recent developments are definitely confusing because at the March 11^th Convention Rep. Mariano voted in favor of the amendment.  It wasn’t until afterwards that he realized he was giving in to the messed up politics surrounding all this and in reality he should be voting for what he feels is right.  It was only in the past few weeks that he changed his mind and committed himself to what we both know is the right thing to do.  I let him know this morning of your thanks and support, and I’ll let him know that you are available to help him out in the future.  Thanks so much for keeping in touch with us!

Amanda

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RESPONSES RECEIVED FROM LETTERS TO LEGISLATION 
(See the action item on the top-right of this letter)
 
I've received 9 personalized thank you responses.  I somehow lost my 2 favorite email from Senators Rosenberg and Joyce. Here are a few others:

From: Rep Michael Festa

Jerry,

Thank you so much for your continued support and encouragement. I am truly hopeful that this matter will not pass the Legislature next year and if it does reach the voters in 2006 that people will by then have come to understand the need for equality in civil marriage. I remain committed to not writing discrimination into our Constitution. 

Regards, 

Mike 

From: Sen Bob Antonioni

Dear Jerry;

Thank you for your note. I still remain committed to not amending our Constitution.

Very truly yours,

Bob Antonioni
State Senator
Worcester and Middlesex District

From: Rep David Torrisi

Hi Jerry,

Thank you for your letter of support! I remain firm in my resolve to fight against this discriminatory legislation and to make certain the Massachusetts Constitution is not transformed into a political weapon to wield against minority groups, but remains the ultimate legal protection of the civil rights of each of my constituents. 

The Constitutional Convention will reconvene in 2005, at which point the amendment will be voted on just once in its current form. I vow to do everything in my power to ensure that the amendment is defeated at that time.

Sincerely,

David Torrisi
State Representative

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