mr. evan wolfson. mr. is founder and is executive director of freedom to marry, the national campaign to end marriage discrimination. mr. wolfson was co-counsel in the case that launched the ongoing global movement for freedom to marry and has participated in many landmark gay rights cases. mr. wolfson earned his ba in 1978 after which he served as a peace corps volunteer. he's graduated from harvard or law school and has appeared in the case of the boys scouts of america and in 2004 mr. wolfson was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by "time" magazine. he's the author of "why marriage matters" which was published in 2004. please proceed. >> thank you, senator coons, members of the committee. as the senator said, i'm founder and president of freedom to marry, the national campaign to end discrimination in marriage, and i'm also author, as you said, of "why marriage matters." i'm very pleased to be here today to testify in support of the respect for marriage act which would return the

mr. wolfson, we can get your answer in writing. i had a quick question here at end before my time runs out of mr. solmonese. that is whether the respect for marriage act has the impact on churches and respondent's exhibit organizations to freely expressed their views? >> thank you, senator, what i mentioned before what we are here to discuss and at the heart of the legislation how the federal government treats lawfully married people in the states where marriage equality is the stand. it does not require individuals or religious organizations to do anything. as you know, the first amendment protects the rights of churches and religious organization to determine who they will or will not marry. >> i think that's an important point for some people. because freedom of religion is so important to many people in any state and across the country. i know senator feinstine made that point. you appreciate you making that. this bill doesn't in any way require churches, sin -- synagogues or mosque to recognize. thank you, i appreciate it -- i