News Release from Barney Frank
Congressman, 4th District, Massachusetts
2252 Rayburn Building · Washington, D.C. 20515 · (202) 225-5931
For Immediate Release:
December 18, 2008
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN FRANK ON PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA CHOOSING RICK WARREN TO GIVE INAUGURATION INVOCATION
“I am very disappointed by President-elect Barack Obama’s
decision to honor Reverend Rick Warren with a prominent role in his
inauguration. Religious leaders obviously have every right to
speak out in opposition to anti-discrimination measures, even in the
degrading terms that Rev. Warren has used with regard to same-sex
marriage. But that does not confer upon them the right to a place
of honor in the inauguration ceremony of a president whose stated
commitment to LGBT rights won him the strong support of the great
majority of those who support that cause.
“It is irrelevant that Rev. Warren invited Senator Obama to
address his congregation, since he extended an equal invitation to
Senator McCain. Furthermore, the President-Elect has not simply
invited Rev. Warren to give a speech as part of a series in which
various views are presented. The selection of a member of the
clergy to occupy this uniquely elevated position has always been
considered a mark of respect and approval by those who are being
inaugurated.”
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