2013
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 13-004
       
       
       BY SENATOR(S) Kefalas, Aguilar, Heath, Hodge, Jones, Kerr, Steadman,
       Tochtrop, Todd, Giron, Hudak, Johnston, King, Morse, Newell, Nicholson,
       Roberts, Carroll, Guzman, Jahn, Schwartz, Ulibarri;
       also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Fischer, Exum Sr., Garcia, Ginal, Moreno, Ryden,
       Singer, Tyler, Vigil, Buck, Buckner, Conti, Coram, Court, DelGrosso, Dore,
       Duran, Everett, Fields, Foote, Gardner, Gerou, Hamner, Holbert, Hullinghorst,
       Humphrey, Joshi, Kagan, Kraft-Tharp, Labuda, Landgraf, Lawrence, Lebsock,
       Lee, Levy, May, McCann, McLachlan, McNulty, Melton, Mitsch Bush, Murray,
       Navarro, Nordberg, Pabon, Peniston, Pettersen, Primavera, Priola, Rankin,
       Rosenthal, Saine, Salazar, Schafer, Scott, Sonnenberg, Stephens, Swalm,
       Szabo, Waller, Williams, Wilson, Wright, Young, Ferrandino.
       
       
          CONCERNING CIVILITY AND RESPECT IN THE COLORADO
       GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 
       
       
       
          WHEREAS, Being elected as a member of the Colorado General
       Assembly bestows high honor and opportunity to participate in matters of
       important public interest; and
       
          WHEREAS, Being elected as a member of the Colorado General
       Assembly also imposes the ethical obligation to enhance and maintain the
       public confidence in the state legislature as an institution as well as in our
       system of democratic government in general; and
       
          WHEREAS, Strong public confidence in government officials and
       institutions is particularly important in these times of serious economic
       challenges and intense political rhetoric; and
       
          WHEREAS, It is in the interest of all Coloradans to have fair
       deliberation of all public issues occur in an atmosphere of mutual respect,
       cooperation, civility, trust, and collegiality among the members of the
       Colorado General Assembly; and
       
          WHEREAS, Engaging in effective and courteous dialogue in such an
       atmosphere creates better debate and decision-making by the members of
       the Colorado General Assembly, enhances public participation in the
       legislative process, resulting in a more engaged and informed electorate,
       and makes for more effective governance through the enactment of laws
       that best serve the interests and priorities of the public; and
       
          WHEREAS, By following these fundamental principles, the Colorado
       General Assembly encourages the respectful public discourse and
       behavior by all citizens of the state that leads to greater civility in our
       civic and public settings; now, therefore,
       
          Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly of
       the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
       
          That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly, agree to
       conduct ourselves at all times in a manner so as to reflect credit on the
       Colorado General Assembly and its two houses and to inspire the
       confidence, respect, and trust of the public in the laws, the Colorado
       General Assembly, and democratic government.
       
          Be It Further Resolved, That we, the members of the Colorado
       General Assembly, agree to conduct ourselves during all legislative
       proceedings in a manner that creates a professional environment by
       adhering to the following principles of civility and respect:
       
          (1)  Each member acts in a dignified manner and in accord with the
       traditional legislative norms, and such dignified behavior extends to
       members of the general public and the media.
       
          (2)  Members allow to each other the same rights, courtesies, and
       respect that they would expect to be given themselves as members of the
       Colorado General Assembly.
       
          (3)  Each member confines himself or herself to the subject matter
       under discussion and makes no disparaging personal remarks to or about
       any member.
       
          (4)  Members are respectful of each other and never impugn another
       member's honesty, integrity, or motive.
       
          (5)  Members observe decency of speech and conduct.
       
          (6)  Each member takes full and personal responsibility for his or her
       own conduct, through both language and action.
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       John P. Morse                        Mark Ferrandino
       PRESIDENT OF                    SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES
       
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Cindi Markwell                        Marilyn Eddins
       SECRETARY OF                CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES