The Top Ten issues at GA – #8 Pension board president, policy on agenda By John H. Adams The Layman Online Thursday, June 10, 1999 FORT WORTH, Texas – Two issues come together in what could be one of the liveliest debates in the General Assembly. The Layman Online ranks the two – the selection of a president of the Board of Pensions and consideration of domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples – as the eighth leading issue in the General Assembly. Robert W. Maggs, an attorney and bank executive, has been selected as president of the Board of Pensions, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Maggs is a member and elder of Third Presbyterian Church in Rochester, N.Y., a More Light congregation whose session has voted 1) to defy the PCUSA's ordination standards and 2) to allow use of its sanctuary for same-sex "holy unions." Overture 99-74 from the Presbytery of Twin Cities asks the commissioners to request that the Board of Pensions consider granting "domestic partner benefits" for same-sex couples. Maggs said he would not lobby for or against Overture 99-74 and that he will do the General Assembly's bidding. He was also questioned by The Layman Online about his view of the decisions of the session of Third Presbyterian Church on ordination standards and same-sex ceremonies. Maggs said he was not on the session when those matters were decided and that he would have to study the issues before he could express his own views. Maggs' views on the issue of domestic partner benefits might be of interest to commissioners considering his selection as president of the Board of Pensions. Overture 99-74 requests that the Board of Pensions be asked to study that possibility and report back to the 2000 General Assembly. As president of the Board of Pensions, Maggs would be in a position to provide key resource material for board members in their consideration of expanding pension and health-care benefits.

Pro-homosexual legislation tallying victories in Calif. Respond to this article Read responses from our readers on the selection of a president of the Board of Pensions Read responses from our readers on Ordination standards 1999 General Assembly issues The Top Ten issues at the 211th General Assembly

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