To:

joanbauer@house.mi.gov, dougbennett@house.mi.gov, stevebieda@house.mi.gov,

pambyrnes@house.mi.gov, barbbyrum@house.mi.gov, marshacheeks@house.mi.gov,
brendaclack@house.mi.gov, paulcondino@house.mi.gov, marccorriveau@house.mi.gov,
andydillon@house.mi.gov, mariedonigan@house.mi.gov, KateEbli@house.mi.gov,
Gillardmatthewgillard@house.mi.gov, martingriffin@house.mi.gov,
richardhammel@house.mi.gov, morrishood3rd@house.mi.gov, robertjones@house.mi.gov,
stevenlindberg@house.mi.gov, markmeadows@house.mi.gov, andymeisner@house.mi.gov,
timmelton@house.mi.gov, fredmiller@house.mi.gov, speakerprotemsak@house.mi.gov,
mikesimpson@house.mi.gov, virgilsmith@house.mi.gov, almasmith@house.mi.gov,
stevetobocman@house.mi.gov, aldovagnozzi@house.mi.gov, maryvalentine@house.mi.gov,
rebekahwarren@house.mi.gov

Subject:

Protect Michigan's Families and Support House Joint Resolution NN

Body:

Joan Bauer, Doug Bennett, Steve Bieda, Pam Byrnes, Barb Byrum, Marsha Cheeks,
Brenda Clack, Paul Condino, Marc Corriveau, Andy Dillon, Marie Donigan, Kate Ebli,
Matthew, Martin Griffin, Richard Hammel, III Hood Morris, Robert Jones, Steven
Lindberg, Mark Meadows, Andy Meisner, Tim Melton, Fred Miller, Michael Sak, Mike
Simpson, Virgil Smith, Alma Smith, Steve Tobocman, Aldo Vagnozzi, Mary Valentine,
Rebekah Warren

Eighty of your colleagues already support protecting Michigan's Families through

House Joint Resolution NN, calling for a vote of the people to approve a
Constitutional amendment which reads:

Sec. 27. Parents and legal guardians have a natural and

fundamental right to direct the care, education, and upbringing of
their children. No government action shall burden, abridge, or
Hinder this natural, fundamental right unless it is in furtherance
of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive
means of furthering that compelling governmental interest.

http://tinyurl.com/2mx82h

The text of this amendment merely reinforces the wisdom of the US Supreme Court,
which wrote in Troxel V Granville:

"The liberty interest at issue in this case–the interest of parents in the care,
custody, and control of their children–is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental
liberty interests recognized by this Court."

Reinforcing their historical affirmation of the rights of parents, the US Supreme

Court continued by quoting an early 20th century ruling:

the "liberty of parents and guardians" includes the right "to direct the
upbringing and education of children under their control."

And further:

"The law’s concept of the family rests on a presumption that parents possess what
a child lacks in maturity, experience, and capacity for judgment required for
making life’s difficult decisions. More important, historically it has recognized
that natural bonds of affection lead parents to act in the best interests of their
children."

http://tinyurl.com/3dwwfk

This proposed amendment merely affirms that the rights that Michigan's families
enjoy on a federal level are also covered by Michigan's constitution and
enforceable by Michigan's courts.

Please listen to your colleagues, the wisdom of the US Supreme Court, and the
people of the State of Michigan, who overwhelmingly support this proposed
amendment.

Please protect Michigan's families and support House Joint Resolution NN.