Representative Ernest Istook (R-Warr Acres) voted this afternoon to protect the sanctity of marriage. Congressman Istook's office released this statement earlier today: "Out of control judicial activism threatens traditional marriage in America." If activist judges change it in one state, those persons will move and spread the problem nationwide. We need uniform protection of traditional marriage. You can't have different definitions on something as fundamental as marriage. The Marriage Protection Amendment is the only solution to this problem." Rep. Istook was the primary author of a letter -- signed by the entire Oklahoma delegation in the House -- sent 14 June 2006 to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Majority Leader John Boehner urging them to bring this resolution to a vote on the House floor. That letter read in part: "Families and children deserve the protection that the Marriage Protection Amendment provides. The best home for children is one with a mom and a dad. Single parents work valiantly to raise their children, but it is a struggle whenever a child does not have both a mom and a dad at home. Our laws should recognize and promote that stability in our homes." "Voting on this amendment would give us the opportunity to stand up both for marriage, and also for the people's right to govern themselves. It is sad that a constitutional amendment is necessary, but without it we fear that Americans will be under endless assault by those who want to destroy traditional marriage." "The Senate has already voted on this important issue this year, and the House of Representatives should be on record as well." Congressman Istook joins over 100 other Representatives in cosponsoring the Marriage Protection Amendment (MPA) - H.J. Res. 88 - which reads as follows: "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution, nor the constitution of any State, shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a woman." Posted at 7/18/2006 02:15:00 PM