<p>DignityUSA leaders from Washington State joined Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke in sending a letter of congratulations to Governor Chris Gregoire to thank her for leading efforts to expand marriage equality to Washington. Below is the text of the letter.</p> <p>January 5 2012</p> <p>The Honorable Christine Gregoire</p> <p>Office of the Governor</p> <p>416 Sid Snyder Ave SW Suite 200<br /> PO Box 40002</p> <p>Olympia WA 98504-0002</p> <p>Dear Governor Gregoire</p> <p>Thank you for your courageous decision to introduce a marriage equality bill in the State of Washington. We greatly appreciate your leadership on this issue which is of great importance to many families in your state and across the country. As leaders of the nation&rsquo;s largest organization of lesbian gay bisexual and transgender Catholics and our families we are proud to stand with you and other Washington leaders committed to justice and fairness.</p> <p>As the debate on marriage equality proceeds in Washington know that we will work hard to ensure that the voice of the Catholic majority that supports the right of same-sex couples to have our relationships legally recognized is heard. As you so effectively articulated in your speech announcing your intentions none of the arguments that are sure to be offered by our Church&rsquo;s hierarchy are based in fact or relevant to the legitimate responsibility of government. Neither do they represent the views of most people of faith.</p> <p>Thank you again for taking such a public stance in support of the equality of all committed loving couples in Washington. Please feel free to contact us for any support we can provide. We look forward to celebrating passage and implementation of equal marriage in the state very soon.</p> <p>&nbsp;Sincerely yours</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Marianne Duddy-Burke&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Leo Egashira&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Paula Lavallee&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Patrick Roche&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Executive Director&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Board of Directors&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Secretary&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Past President&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Seattle WA&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Kirkland WA&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kirkland WA</p>