Chester Darling to be Spokesman for Mass. Citizens for Marriage

Press Release
Chester Darling to be Spokesman for Mass. Citizens for Marriage

March 15, 2002

One of the spokespersons for Mass. Citizens for Marriage will be Atty. Chester Darling, it was announced yesterday by its President, Sarah McVay Pawlick.

"We are very proud to have this popular attorney advising the people of the Commonwealth that they should be deciding this issue at the ballot box and not in smoke-filled rooms at the Statehouse, as the opposition wants," she said.

Another recent change is that a committed volunteer from last fall, John Spano, is now Director of Operations. A consultant from last fall, Jim Lafferty, has agreed to help again with the grassroots effort and Richard Gaffey will continue as treasurer. The search continues for an Executive Director to replace Bryan Rudnick, who resigned on February 8.

"We have had great success for which everyone should be proud." said Pawlick. "We have proven to the skeptics that the people are behind this issue and we will continue to move ahead until the final victory in 2004. They told us we would not be approved for the ballot, but we were. Then they told us we would not get the signatures, but we did. And then they told us the signatures would all be challenged, but they were not. Now they say we will not get the approval of 25% of the Legislature, but we will.

"This is the result of the people of the Commonwealth coming together for a common cause in which they strongly believe. As Bryan Rudnick said with emotion in December when there were dozens of volunteers counting ballots, 'This is a great day in America.'"

Chester Darling can be reached at 617-536-2050. Mass. Citizens for Marriage is at 781-647-1942.