TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine issued the following statement regarding Monday’s passage of the proposed marriage equality bill by the State Senate Judiciary Committee:

“I commend the Senate Judiciary Committee for allowing a thorough, open discussion on the proposed marriage equality law and approving the bill for action by the full Senate. This is an action that is long overdue. For far too long, a large segment of our population has been denied the fundamental rights and protections of a civil liberty that is granted to all Americans.

“Throughout the history of our nation, New Jerseyans have been among the first to champion the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – from the fight for independence to the civil rights movement. By moving forward with marriage equality, today we have taken a significant step toward adding yet another chapter.

“I am confident that through this process, the marriage equality issue will be recognized for what it truly is – a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.”

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