Photo: Sonia Leerkamp, Nineveh, and Clara Glaspie, Indianapolis, represent the ICRC on February 7, 2022, in the Senate Chamber as Senator Fady Qaddoura reads the resolution honoring the group.
On February 7, 2022, the Indiana Senate sitting in formal session adopted an important symbolic resolution.
SJR 16, offered by Sen. Fady Qaddoura, acknowledg
ed the work of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission during the 2021 redistricting cycle. It was adopted without opposition or comment.
While not quite the redistricting result we had all worked and prayed for (fair maps, reached by an open, multi-partisan, citizen-led process were our goals), it was nonetheless significant. The ICRC served the people of the State of Indiana by modeling a better redistricting process.
IFCL is honored to have played a part in the ICRC project, and grateful for Sen. Qaddoura’s faithful advocacy for redistricting reform. Recognition of the ICRC by the Senate in adopting this resolution may hold out hope for the future of elective self-government in our state.
The link to a resolution in its Senate form and video are at the bottom of this page, but a transcript is included here:
Introduced Second Regular Session 122nd General Assembly (2022)
SENATE RESOLUTION by Senator Fady Qaddoura
MADAM PRESIDENT: I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
SENATE RESOLUTION honoring the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission for their work on the 2021 redistricting process.
Whereas, The Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission is a politically balanced commission created to model a fair redistricting process;
Whereas, The Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission emphasized constituent voices and held virtual public meetings in 2021, taking testimony on redistricting criteria and the map-drawing process;
Whereas, Members of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission were vetted through numerous criteria to ensure the integrity of the Commission;
Whereas, The Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission was comprised of three members who identify as Republican, three members who identify as Democrat, three members who identify as independent, and two alternates;
Whereas, The members of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission were Sonia Leerkamp of Nineveh, Charles Taylor of Muncie, Christopher Harris of Hammond, Ranjan Rohatgi of South Bend, Missie Summers-Kempf of Portage, Xavier Ramirez of Bloomington, Marilyn Moran of Fort Wayne, Clara Glaspie of Indianapolis, Leigh Morris of LaPorte, Tom Hayhurst of Fort Wayne, and Jack Tharpe of Noblesville; and
Whereas, The work of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission proves their commitment to fair and equal voting districts for the people of Indiana:
Therefore, Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana: That the Indiana State Senate honors the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission for their work on the 2021 redistricting process. That the Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to transmit copies of this Resolution to the members of the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/resolutions/senate/simple/16
Video of the presentation is below.