NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2013

From the Office of Representative Jason Smith

120th District CONTACT: Rep. Jason Smith 573-751-1688

Speaker Pro Tem Jason Smith Administers Correct Oath of Office to Missouri House Members
New Swearing In Ceremony Corrects Mistake by Asking Members to Take Oath to Constitution JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Speaker Pro Tem Jason Smith administered the Oath of Office today to correct a mistake made during the traditional Opening Day ceremonies for the Missouri House. Smith led his colleagues in pledging to support the United States and Missouri Constitutions. Members had previously been led in an oath that asked them to support government. Its unfortunate that the oath of office we were asked to swear was misstated. Members were asked to pledge their support to government rather than to the Constitution that outlines and protects the sacred rights of the people, said Smith, R-Salem. To my knowledge, this has not happened in the history of the legislature, although our president had to retake his oath in 2009 after a mistake by the Chief Justice. As conservatives who believe in limiting the size and influence of government and not in pledging oaths to support it, we felt it was important that we retake the oath. Smith said, despite the error made in its reading, members signed the correct version of the oath, which allows them to serve in their official capacities as state representatives. He also pointed out that state Rep. Keith Frederick, R-Rolla, is the only member who had the oath of office administered correctly. Frederick missed the Opening Day ceremonies and had his oath of office administered a day later by House Speaker Tim Jones. My colleagues and I want to make it clear that we are here to serve the will of the people and the Constitution, and not to cater to the whims of a bloated governmental bureaucracy, said Smith. -###-