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Bush urges marriage protection

WASHINGTON, July 10 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush urged Congress Saturday to pass a Constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage and ensure it's legal standing nationwide.

Marriage between a man and woman is "the most fundamental institution of civilization," but activist judges and local officials "have taken it on themselves to change the meaning of

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marriage" to include homosexual unions, he said.

"If courts create their own arbitrary definition of marriage as a mere legal contract, and cut marriage off from its cultural, religious and natural roots, then the meaning of marriage is lost, and the institution is weakened," he said in his weekly radio address. Traditional marrige was critical for the well-being of families and families are critical for the health of society.

The Massachusetts supreme court, ruling on an appeal, has ordered state officials to grant marriage licenses to homosexual couples. San Francisco officials have already done so and performed same-sex marriages in defiance of state law.

Bush said a 1996 law allowing states to opt out from recognizing non-traditional marriages performed in other states is being challenged and could likely be overturned.

The Senate Friday began debating the issue, which was expected to feature in Bush's reelection campaign.

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