Trust Fellow Senators, Dismang Says
by January 12, 2015 4:09 pm 123 views
Sen. President Pro Tempore Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, opened the 2015 legislative session by urging his colleagues to have faith in each other the way he has had faith in his sons.
Sawyer Dismang, 5, led the session’s opening prayer, while Cade Dismang, 10, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sen. Dismang related how he had trusted that Sawyer would ably lead the prayer, and he described a hunting trip where he had trusted that Cade would kill a deer. In the same way, each senator must trust that their fellow officeholders are representing their constituents in good faith.
“We need to make sure that we trust our colleagues and be sure to trust the fact that while we may disagree … they’re standing with their constituents and they’re doing what they think’s correct,” he said in brief remarks. “I’m also going to put that same responsibility upon myself. We have to protect this institution and the unique camaraderie that’s developed here.”
He pointed out that much had been made about the changes that have occurred in the Senate. After a century and a half of minority status, Republicans now control all seven constitutional offices and two-thirds of the Legislature, including 23 of the 35 Senate seats.
While the House swore in 40 new members, only four of the 35 senators are new to the chamber.
Senators opened the session by remembering former Sen. David Wyatt, D-Batesville, who died of cancer Monday morning. Senators who entered office with him spoke – Sen. Bill Sample, R-Hot Springs; Sen. Stephanie Flowers, D-Pine Bluff; Sen. David Johnson, D-Little Rock; Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock; and Sen. Bruce Maloch, D-Magnolia.
Chief Justice Jim Hannah administered the oaths of office to the newly elected and returning senators.
Newly elected Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin was the presiding officer. As Griffin was in the chamber, Capitol workers were preparing to replace the glass in his door – absent a name since the resignation of Griffin’s predecessor, Lt. Gov. Mark Darr – with one featuring Griffin’s name.
The first bills were assigned to committees, and the 2015 legislative session began.