senate resolution no.127

Senators Ananich, Geiss, Chang, Hertel, Bayer, Hollier, Irwin, Alexander, Moss, Wojno, Bullock, Brinks, McCann, Polehanki, McMorrow and Santana offered the following resolution:

A resolution to censure Senator John Bizon of the Nineteenth Senate District, State of Michigan.

Whereas, Article XI, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 provides:

All officers, legislative, executive and judicial, before entering upon the duties of their respective offices, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of this state, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of .......... according to the best of my ability. No other oath, affirmation, or any religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust.

; and

Whereas, Rule 1.301 of the Standing Rules of the Senate provides:

Each Senator shall conduct himself or herself to justify the confidence placed in him or her by the people and shall, by personal example and admonition to colleagues, maintain the integrity and responsibility of his or her office.

; and

Whereas, Rule 1.311 of the Standing Rules of the Senate provides, in part:

A Senator determined to have violated the provisions of the rules regulating ethics and conduct may be reprimanded, censured, or expelled.

; and

Whereas, Senator John Bizon pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery in February 2022, following an incident in August 2021 in which he inappropriately touched a female nurse practitioner. Senator Bizon's guilty plea is a direct admission of wrongdoing for which he has been sentenced by a court in this state; and

Whereas, Senator Bizon – a physician and public official – not only has an obligation to follow the law and treat people with respect, but to serve as a model for his fellow citizens. In committing assault and battery, Senator Bizon failed to meet the high standards of conduct expected of his office by the people of Michigan; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That Senator John Bizon of the Nineteenth Senate District is hereby censured; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Senator John Bizon.