House Resolution 16
(Originating in the Committee on Rules)
[February 6, 2007]
"Vacating the seat heretofore designated for Delegate-elect Ron Thompson, of
the County of Raleigh, and of the 27th Delegate District."
WHEREAS, Attempts heretofore made by the Speaker of the House and others
have been fruitless in resolving the issue of chronic absenteeism by Member-elect Ron
Thompson; and
WHEREAS, The Speaker of the House did attempt to contact Delegate-elect
Ron Thompson by means of a certified letter as well as a letter sent by regular postal
service, outlining the intentions of the House concerning the continued absence from
duty of the aforementioned Member-elect, in which the Speaker did state that a
nonresponse to the requests of the letter by the Member-elect may be construed as a
refusal to appear and take and subscribe to the Oath of Office; and
WHEREAS, In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Delegate-elect
Ron Thompson assured the Speaker and members of the House of his desire to serve
as an elected Member of the House and that he would be present on Monday, February
5, 2007; and
WHEREAS, The aforementioned Member-elect Ron Thompson has not
complied with his own terms set forth in his own letter dated January 24, 2007, in
which he states that his plan was to return to his seat by February 5, 2007, ready to
serve; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates, a majority of the members present and
voting concurring herein:
That in accordance with Article VI, Section 16 of the Constitution of the State
of West Virginia, the House of Delegates hereby declares vacant the seat heretofore
designated for Member-elect Ron Thompson, of the County of Raleigh, 27th Delegate
District; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House certify a copy of this Resolution,
and that the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Delegates deliver the same to Mr. Ron
Thompson, or his agent, or post the same at his residence at his last known address in
Beckley, West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Speaker of the House transmit a letter to the
Governor of the State of West Virginia, and to the Democratic Executive Committee
of the County of Raleigh, 27th Delegate District, of this definitive action by the House.