Text of WV HCR 99 (2015)

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 99 (By Delegates Fast, Rowan, Ambler, Anderson, Arvon, Azinger, Border, Cadle, Canterbury, Cooper, Duke, A. Evans, D. Evans, Folk, Frich, Hamilton, Hanshaw, Householder, Howell, Kelly, Kessinger, Miller, O’Neal, Overington, Romine, Shott, Sobonya, Statler, and Walters) Urging the United States Congress to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that defines and limits marriage to a union between one man and one woman. Whereas, Article V grants Congress the power to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States; and Whereas, United States Congress is urged to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States stating "Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in the United States. The states and their political subdivisions may not create or recognize a legal status for same-sex relationships to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities or effects of marriage"; and Whereas, It is the solemn duty of Congress to protect the liberty of our people—particularly for the generations to come—by proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States under Article V for the purpose of defining that marriage be a union between one man and one woman; therefore, be it Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia: That the Legislature hereby urges the United States Congress, under the authority vested to it in Article V of the United States Constitution, to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution prohibiting same-sex unions; and, be it Further Resolved, That the State of West Virginia hereby requests that Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the Constitution of the United States, to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution protecting the sanctity of marriage; and, be it Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution and application to the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, to the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and to the members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation.