Second Regular Session
              Sixty-ninth General Assembly
                    STATE OF COLORADO
                                                 INTRODUCED
                                                           
                                                           
 LLS NO. R14-0721.01 Ashley Zimmerman x2291       SJR14-002
                   SENATE SPONSORSHIP
 Kefalas, Aguilar, Newell
 
                    HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
 Ginal and Fischer,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Senate Committees
 House Committees
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                  SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 14-002 
       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 compels the ethical responsibility to enhance and maintain
       the public confidence in the state legislature as an institution and 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 political divides; and
       
            WHEREAS, People are frustrated and tired of partisan gridlock,
       obstruction, delay, rancor, the federal government shutdown, and
       name-calling and want to see professionalism, courtesy, integrity, and
       results; 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 contributes to 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 core principles and serving as
       positive role models, the Colorado General Assembly advances respectful
       public discourse and behavior by all residents of the state that leads to
       greater acceptance and understanding of diverse viewpoints within civil
       society; 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 standards 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 with a focus on solving problems and understanding the
       subject matter from all perspectives, including urban and rural points of
       view.
       
            (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.