HOUSE RESOLUTION 20

(By Delegates Bibby, Butler, Cadle, Espinosa, Fast, Foster, Hanna, Hardy, Harshbarger, Hollen, Hott, Howell, D. Jeffries, J. Jeffries, Jennings, J. Kelly, Kessinger, Malcolm, C. Martin, P. Martin, Maynard, Phillips, Porterfield, Rowan, Summers, Sypolt and Waxman)

[March 7, 2019 ]

Censuring Delegate Mike Caputo, Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates

Whereas, The West Virginia House of Delegates finds that civil and respectful debate and behavior is a foundational principle of a free society; and

Whereas, The West Virginia House of Delegates believes in not only the First Amendment guarantee of free speech, but the right to freely debate differences in opinions and beliefs; and

Whereas, The West Virginia House of Delegates believes that, while individuals may passionately disagree about those opinions and beliefs, these differences should be resolved with civility and respect; and

Whereas, The House of Delegates vehemently condemns acts of violence, bullying and verbal assault as a means of expressing political discontent; and

Whereas, The House of Delegates believes its members should embody these principles and behave in a way that serves as an example for all citizens in how they should peaceably resolve their differences; and

Whereas, On March 1, 2019, while an assistant doorkeeper of the House of Delegates was rightfully and properly performing his job by preventing members from entering the House during the Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, Delegate Caputo did forcefully and violently kick the door to the House of Delegates striking the assistant Doorkeeper forcefully, causing bodily injury to the assistant Doorkeeper; and

Whereas, Delegate Caputo did verbally abuse the assistant Doorkeeper and did use language that was inappropriate to the decorum and order of the House of Delegates.; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the House of Delegates hereby censures Delegate Mike Caputo for his disorderly conduct and physical assault upon an assistant Doorkeeper.