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Committee splits on moment-of-silence wording; forwards resolution debate to full assembly
Summary
Delegates debated whether to change committee opening-ceremony language to remember both troops who died in service and civilian victims of war; the committee did not give a favorable recommendation on the proposed wording (2 yes, 4 no, 1 abstain) and decided to forward the item for full-assembly consideration.
The committee considered revised opening-ceremony language proposed by Delegates Doug O'Malley and Gallagher that would read: "a moment of silence to remember our troops who have died in service to our country and civilian victims of war." "It would be appropriate for us to remember civilian victims of war," Delegate Gallagher said, arguing the change broadens the memorial to reflect large civilian tolls in global conflicts.
Delegates expressed differing views. Deputy Speaker Frizzell said the word "remember" rather than "honor" softened the phrasing and avoided implied support for particular foreign-policy choices; Frizzell also suggested committee meetings could drop opening ceremonies altogether to save time. Delegate Harder and others said they preferred to limit the moment of silence to those who have died in service to the country and noted Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day distinctions.
Procedural debate followed over whether the committee should recommend the resolution as written, amend it, or send guidance to the full assembly. A roll-call vote on recommending the proposed language as presented resulted in 2 yes, 4 no, and 1 abstention (Yes: Delia Gassen and Delegate O'Malley; No: Delegate Green, Elliot Killian, Deputy Speaker Frizzell, Speaker Warner; Abstain: Delegate Harder), so the committee declined to give a favorable recommendation. Delegate Dan Gessen then moved to send the resolution and the committee discussion to the full assembly with no formal committee recommendation so the entire assembly can decide; delegates debated procedural order but the item was placed on the assembly agenda for its next meeting.
The committee also discussed whether committees should include pledges or moments of silence in remote committee meetings and noted several Cape communities do not include those elements at the committee level. The item will be taken up by the full assembly, which will have final authority to adopt or amend the resolution.
