2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 102
BY SENATORS WARD, ALARIO, APPEL, BARROW, BOUDREAUX, CARTER,
CLAITOR, COLOMB, CORTEZ, DONAHUE, GATTI, HEWITT,
JOHNS, LONG, LUNEAU, MARTINY, MILLS, MIZELL, MORRELL,
PEACOCK, PERRY, PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN
SMITH, TARVER, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH AND WHITE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To affirm the need for civility in political discourse and debate as a fundamental
requirement for effective representative democracy and governing.
WHEREAS, representative democracy in the United States of America presents to
the world an ongoing experiment as to whether such form of government can be viable,
lasting, and most effective over all other forms of government in best serving the needs of
its people; and
WHEREAS, our representative democracy is only as good as those whom we elect
to represent us, and the resulting laws and policies made by them to which we are subject;
and
WHEREAS, a fundamental and necessary cornerstone of effective representative
democracy and governing is productive communication between the people and their
representatives, and among the elected representatives themselves; and
WHEREAS, an equally fundamental and necessary cornerstone of effective
representative democracy and governing is also the participation by those with differing
viewpoints in public political discourse and debate through the robust exchange of ideas; and
WHEREAS, such robust exchange of ideas in public political discourse and debate
is an essential component of our political freedom; and
WHEREAS, civility in public political discourse and debate promotes understanding,
unity, mutual respect, informed decision making, reflection, and considerations in the spirit
of community for compromise and consensus in the greater good; and
WHEREAS, civility in public political discourse and debate further enhances
confidence in our institutions of government, and in the ability of our elected representatives
to govern effectively at the federal, state, and local levels; and
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WHEREAS, through civility in public political discourse and debate our elected
representatives and the public can engage in productive dialogue with each other and among
themselves without compromise of core principles or loss of collegiality; and
WHEREAS, civility in public political discourse and debate results from adherence
to simple principles, including the following: be inclusive and show respect; listen and pay
attention to the words of others; take responsibility for your own words and actions,
including apologizing for them when appropriate; strive to be informed, tolerant, and
agreeable; in your language seek unity through compromise and consensus rather than
fostering division through anger, invective, and harsh rhetoric; and refrain from
disparagement of others and from criticism that is not constructive; and
WHEREAS, through civility in their public political discourse and debate, elected
representatives demonstrate statesmanship in their interactions and inspire others to act
likewise; and
WHEREAS, through civility in their public political discourse and debate, elected
representatives foster a spirt of mutual understanding that enhances cooperation and
consensus, restores public trust, and leads to more efficient and effective government; and
WHEREAS, by authoring this Resolution the members of the Legislature of
Louisiana affirm that by so doing they endorse the essential need for civility in public
political discourse and debate, and further that they commit to such civility in their own
actions and debate and to seeking others to act likewise.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
affirm the need for civility in political discourse and debate as a fundamental requirement
for effective representative democracy and governing.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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