HB99 is once again stalled in the Senate!
In a telephone conversation with Harris McDowell, Majority Leader in
the Delaware Senate, he confirmed to me that Senator James Vaughn,
Chairman of the Judiciary committee is now telling people that HB99 will
not get out of the committee during this legislative session—effectively
killing the bill yet again.
Harris, however, is still very hopeful that the bill will come to a
vote in the Senate by the end of June. He said that, "I will hold
back nothing to get this bill out and on the floor of the Senate for a
vote." He encouraged the supporters of HB99 to continue to push for
the bill’s release from committee. He said, "Getting more
influential "straights" to lobby for the bill would be very
helpful."
In 2003, after being elected the new President pro tempore of the
Senate, Thurman Adams promised that HB99 would be assigned to a committee
to receive a fair hearing and would be sent to the full Senate for a vote.
He said that he will vote against the bill, but felt it should come to a
vote.
I am taking this opportunity to remind Senator Adams of his promise and
request that he do the honorable thing and bring the bill to the full
Senate for a vote before the end of this legislative session (June 30,
2004).
As President pro tempore of the Senate, Senator Thurman Adams can make
it happen by doing one of two things: 1) Tell Chairman Vaughn to release
the bill in this legislative session. 2) Allow the majority of the Senate
members to call the bill to the floor without recrimination against any
member (Democrat or Republican) who petitions to do so. If 11 members of
the Senate sign a petition the bill would automatically go to the Senate
for a vote.
HB99 would prohibit discrimination against persons on the basis of
sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works contracting,
public accommodations, and insurance. It does not create special rights
and has nothing to do with marriage or civil unions.
Senator Adams, please allow this bill to come to a vote!
Robert D. Martz
The Rehoboth Beach Library would like to thank Kathy Weir, Sal Seeley,
Lynn Finaldi, Stan Mills, Marsha Levine, John Speicher, Beth Fitton,
Marcia Maldeis, Gene Dvornick and the other members of CAMP Rehoboth who
generously donated their time, energy and materials to help with a very
successful book sale on Saturday, March 13.
Marge LaFond, Director
Rehoboth Beach Library
Editor’s note: Thank you to everyone who donated books, CDs and
videos for the sale. CAMP Rehoboth raised over $800 for the Library!
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