ADF attorney to provide testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee on proposed DOMA repeal
ADF Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks to testify against “Respect for Marriage Act” which would repeal federal Defense of Marriage Act
Tuesday, Jul 19, 2011
WHO: ADF Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks
WHAT: Available for media interviews immediately following testimony before Senate Judiciary Committee on the proposed repeal of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
WHEN: Wednesday, July 20, immediately after hearing, which begins at 9:45 A.M. (EDT)
WHERE: Hart Senate Office Building Room 216, Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON — Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media questions Wednesday immediately after providing testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee against the proposed repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, passed by 84 percent of Congress and signed into law by then-President Clinton in 1996.
WASHINGTON — Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media questions Wednesday immediately after providing testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee against the proposed repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, passed by 84 percent of Congress and signed into law by then-President Clinton in 1996.
“Congress rightly recognized that the lifelong, faithful union of a man and a woman is the fundamental building block of thriving societies,” said Nimocks. “The union between husband and wife benefits society—especially children—in unique and special ways that cannot be duplicated by any other relationship. Throughout history, diverse cultures and faiths have recognized this universally-defined ideal as the best way to promote healthy, natural families for the good of future generations. We should not abandon what Congress wisely did not long ago to appease a very small group of activists.”
ADF attorneys have successfully defended marriage between one man and one woman in more than 40 cases nationwide since 1994. A recent scientific survey, sponsored by the Alliance Defense Fund and completed by Public Opinion Strategies, found that 62 percent of Americans believe that “marriage should be defined only as a union between one man and one woman.”
“Once again, the government is forcing something on the people that we have repeatedly rejected,” said Nimocks. “More than 63 million Americans in 31 state elections have voted on constitutional marriage amendments – with more than 40 million Americans in all – 63 percent of all voters – affirming marriage as a union between one man and one woman. ADF and its allies will continue to defend marriage for as long as it is under attack.”
- Pronunciation Guide: Nimocks (NIM’-ucks)
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.