A huge thank you to Senator Linda Newell for continually championing conflict resolution and civility, at home, in the workplace, and the legislature over the past eight years! We are grateful to Senator Newell and Representative Pete Lee!
Below is a copy of Representative Lee's speech before the House of Representatives urging passage of the resolution:
Madame Speaker, I move Senate Joint Resolution 16-013 and ask that it be read at length.
Conflict is endemic in what we do. We meet for hours every day on the floor and in committees. We confront each other at the core of our beliefs about issues of policy, and sometimes of politics, as we attempt to craft the best laws for the people of Colorado. Politics, it is said, is the art of compromise - moving from conflict to conversation to respectful resolution. We pass 3-400 bills a year for the Governor to sign, most on a bipartisan basis, many by votes with overwhelming majorities. We unanimously agree on scores of issues and resolutions. We do so, I suggest, because we know how to engage in conflict resolution. Daily we modelled it for the citizens of Colorado. Today, by this Resolution, we commend it to them.
Conflict resolution is based on mutual respect, both for the other side and for their position. It is based on the shared goal to find common ground and common good. It is based on civility and the willingness to compromise. The alternatives to conflict resolution are chaos and despair. Nationally, the failure of conflict resolution is Ferguson. Internationally, consider Syria, Yemen, Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and scores of others where compromise is a lost art and civility an unknown virtue.
By this Resolution we recognize the people whose lives are committed to conflict resolution: the mediators, arbitrators, counselors, collaborators, the restorative justice facilitators, the judges and the magistrates - those who help others to find common ground, to promote understanding and to preserve relationships, renew hope and improve people's lives. Whether in courtrooms, classrooms, board rooms, or playrooms, I salute the peacemakers.
I urge an Aye Vote on this resolution.
As presented on March 8, 2016, by
Representative Pete Lee
Colorado State Representative
House District 18
200 East Colfax Avenue, Room 223
Denver, Colorado 80203
Office: 303-866-2932
Cell: 719 460-2834
