Adding to Mike Spence’s and Doug LaMalfa’s posts below — as well as rightfully noting the leadership on the issue displayed by LaMalfa — Capitol Resource Institute’s take on today’s proceedings is of interest….
During a heated half-hour debate, several pro-family legislators affirmed their opposition to SB 1437.
Assemblyman Doug La Malfa introduced amendments that would have protected parents’ rights in public schools, especially relating to homosexual teaching. As soon as the amendments were voted down, debate on the actual bill began.
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, the Assembly Floor Manager for SB 1437, argued that “the best way to correct a social wrong” is to outlaw it. Citing “daily” anti-gay harassment in public schools, Nunez maintained that SB 1437 would protect homosexual students.
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore responded with a poignant question: “What problem would this bill solve?” DeVore then asserted that SB 1437 is “a bill in search of a problem.”
Assemblyman Jay La Suer defended the children caught in the middle of this debate by asserting that the bill is predatory—preying on innocent children who don’t understand sexual indoctrination.
Assemblyman Bob Huff then cited numerous sections of the Education Code that currently protect every student in public schools from discrimination.
Assemblyman Doug La Malfa declared that confidence in public schools is eroding with each homosexual bill the legislature passes.
Assemblyman Dennis Mountjoy reminded his colleagues that 40 pieces of pro-homosexual legislation had made their way through the legislature in the last 6 years-such quantity constitutes a social agenda. Mountjoy also stated this bill is not about tolerance, but acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. Mountjoy quipped, “Thank goodness Adolf Hitler wasn’t gay, or we couldn’t discuss him in a way that ‘reflects adversely’ upon his lifestyle.”
Pro-family activists, such as CRI’s supporters, should be particularly interested in how they were characterized by the “tolerant” proponents of SB 1437.
Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, a lesbian member of the LGBT Caucus, scoffed at opposition to SB 1437 as “poppycock.” In her support of the bill, Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña argued that schools should impart values (i.e. tolerance). Speaker Nuñez argued that California needs bias-free curriculum and if parents want to promote bias in their children, they should remove them from tolerant public schools. Assemblyman Lloyd Levine characterized opponents of SB 1437 as a “shrill and diminishing minority.”
Even though we are locked in a battle for the heart and soul of California, here at CRI, we know are our supporters are not a “shrill and diminishing minority.” You are informed, you are engaged, and you are active. During the floor debate, several pro-family legislators announced that, more than any other bill this session, they received countless letters, e-mails and phone calls from concerned Californians about SB 1437.
Please call, e-mail or write a letter to the following Assembly Members, thanking them for standing up in opposition to SB 1437:
Doug La Malfa
Ray Haynes
Chuck DeVore
Jay LaSuer
Bob Huff
Todd Spitzer
Dennis Mountjoy
*All 31 Republicans voted against SB 1437. Please call, e-mail or send a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger, urging him to veto SB 1437.