PRINTER'S NO. 2038
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
387
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY KNOWLES, BARRAR, ROAE, METCALFE, SCHEMEL, DUSH,
GREGORY, KEEFER, KAUFFMAN, HEFFLEY, MILLARD, RAPP, DIAMOND,
RYAN, COOK, STAATS, SANKEY, JONES AND WHITE, JUNE 7, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, JUNE 7, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Censuring Representative Brian Sims.
WHEREAS, Representative Brian Sims recorded himself on video,
on two separate occasions, verbally attacking individuals who
were peacefully protesting at Planned Parenthood Southeastern
Pennsylvania, located at 1144 Locust Street, Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, In one video, Representative Sims recorded himself
berating, harassing and violating the First Amendment rights of
an individual he labeled an "old, white lady" for peacefully
protesting and praying in public; and
WHEREAS, In a second video, Representative Sims again
recorded himself berating and harassing others and went a step
further, calling for the "doxxing" of three female children; and
WHEREAS, Representative Sims posted these videos on social
media; and
WHEREAS, The "doxxing" Representative Sims called for in the
second video refers to an effort by Representative Sims to
solicit strangers on his social media page to provide the
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personal identifying information, i.e., names and addresses, of
three female children, stating on the video, "I've got $100 to
anyone who will identify any of these three"; and
WHEREAS, Representative Sims placed these citizens in
reasonable fear for their own safety merely because they were
exercising their constitutional right to peacefully protest; and
WHEREAS, Representative Sims also used his elected position
to intimidate these individuals with whom he was interacting,
clearly stating to others on the video that he was a member of
the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, Under section 11 of Article II of the Constitution
of Pennsylvania, the House of Representatives has the exclusive
power to determine its rules, protect its members against
violence and expel a member; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That, pursuant to section 11 of Article II of the
Constitution of Pennsylvania, the House of Representatives
censure Representative Brian Sims for his actions which tend to
bring the House of Representatives into dishonor and disrepute;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That, pursuant to section 11 of Article II of the
Constitution of Pennsylvania, the House of Representatives
remove Representative Brian Sims from his position as a member
of the Finance Committee, the Game and Fisheries Committee and
the Human Services Committee, Chair of the Subcommittee on
Mental Health, and the State Government Committee, Chair of the
Subcommittee on Federal-State Relations; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct that for
the remainder of the 2019-2020 Legislative Session, the House
not appoint Representative Brian Sims to any standing, select or
special committee of the House, the General Assembly or any
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agency, authority, board or commission.
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