PRINTER'S NO. 157
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
8
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY AUMENT AND MARTIN, JANUARY 24, 2017
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, JANUARY 24, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Establishing a Special Committee on Senate Address to pursue
possible address under section 7 of Article VI of the
Constitution of Pennsylvania relating to Lancaster County
Sheriff Mark S. Reese.
WHEREAS, Mark S. Reese is the Sheriff of Lancaster County;
and
WHEREAS, The office of sheriff is critical to local law
enforcement in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Citizens have the right to have complete confidence
in local law enforcement officers; and
WHEREAS, In June 2016, it became public knowledge that
Sheriff Reese has been accused of sexually harassing a deputy
sheriff, sending her progressively graphic and harassing emails;
and
WHEREAS, Complaints have subsequently been filed with the
Lancaster County Board of Commissioners and the United States
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, citing "severe and
pervasive" sexual harassment; and
WHEREAS, According to published reports, Sheriff Reese has
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admitted to sending pornographic emails to his deputy; and
WHEREAS, On July 26, 2016, Sheriff Reese put himself on paid
leave from his office, and the Lancaster County Commissioners
have since called for his resignation; and
WHEREAS, Sheriff Reese has refused to resign his position and
instead remains on paid leave; and
WHEREAS, It has been reported that since Sheriff Reese's
departure, Lancaster County taxpayers have paid more than
$50,000 in legal costs and salary for the sheriff, who earns
$85,460 annually; and
WHEREAS, Lancaster County is effectively without a sheriff
and the Commonwealth is immersed in a scandal involving one of
its critical local law enforcement officers; and
WHEREAS, Stability and leadership in the Lancaster County
Sheriff's Office is essential to meeting its mission, which is
to ensure a safe environment for the community, promote an
excellent quality of life and provide a substantial level of
services directed in a courteous and respectful manner for the
protection of lives, property and civil rights of all residents;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate establish a Special Committee on
Senate Address to pursue possible address under Article VI,
Section 7, of the Constitution of Pennsylvania relating to
Sheriff Mark S. Reese; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Special Committee on Senate Address
consist of three members of the majority party appointed by the
President pro tempore, one of whom shall be designated as the
chairperson of the committee; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Special Committee on Senate Address also
consist of three members of the minority party appointed by the
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President pro tempore in consultation with the Minority Leader;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the President pro tempore serve on the Special
Committee on Senate Address as an ex-officio voting member of
the committee; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Special Committee on Senate Address submit
a report of its findings and recommendations to the Senate no
later than 90 days following the appointment of its members; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That, within 24 hours of the adoption of this
resolution, the Sergeant-at-Arms serve this resolution upon Mark
S. Reese, Sheriff of Lancaster County.
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