The first day of legislative session is exciting, sometimes tedious, and occasionally, an inspiring time!! The House of Representatives is called to order at noon. The procedure for a joint presentation to the legislature involves calling a joint session of the House and the Senate. So… the house comes to order, roll is taken, there is a prayer (as happens every day that the House comes to order throughout the session), the pledge of allegiance, and business begins.
First, a joint session requires a Resolution of the House to authorize a joint session. There is a motion, a vote, and (if the majority agrees!), we’re off to the races!
Next, there are committees of House members who are selected to invite the participants. First, the Senate, because it is a joint meeting. Next, the Governor, because it is his show!! Then the constitutional officers and the supreme court.
There is a pomp and circumstance to this process that preserves the dignity and tradition of our past to this present session. For me, part of the ceremony is a passing of the responsibility of preserving 132 years of liberty and prosperity of the state of Idaho to the members of this Legislature. This opportunity is passed from previous generations to those of us who are led in prayer, salute our flag, and pledge our commitment to the Idaho constitution and the constitution of the United States. It must be our pledge to preserve the principals of a Republican form of government, under God, protecting the life, liberty and happiness of our generation and the generations to follow; and the propriety of instilling these principles into our children and grandchildren.
Our culture has become jaded in our perception and consideration of public ceremony because we are so many times deceived by their words and actions. But you know what? There are ladies… and gentlemen… and statesmen among us!! We have just lost sight of them in the confusion and cacophony of the politics of our time. Tradition, values, dignity, honesty, and moral integrity still have great value, possibly, even more precious now than in times past!!
I invite you to consider who we were as colonies, as the founders struggled for our independence and the formation of our Republic. Consider who we were as a nation growing into world leadership, then survey our present state of affairs.
Now is a time to restore the principles of our forefathers; the example and leadership we can provide as parents, neighbors, as a state, and as a nation. It is time once again to secure the liberty and prosperity of our state within our nation, and of our nation among the nations of the earth.
Join me in studying and celebrating our history as the greatest nation in the world. Let us, together, commit to leaving the legacy we inherited from the greatest generation, to our children and grandchildren.
May God once again bless the nation He raised amidst persecution, tyranny and fear.May God bless the great State of Idaho!
Representative Steve Miller
Common Sense Solutions 