More Dress Code
Date: Mar 1st, 2005 1:16:14 am - Subscribe
Mood: cheeky
No shirt, no shoes, no ... pants?
# Minimum dress code for male delegates written only as ‘coat and tie’
By Tom Searls
Staff writer
One House of Delegates member said it would be an “ugly sight” if all members dressed to only the minimum standards the House adopted earlier this year.
Perhaps following Gov. Joe Manchin’s lead of requesting that state employees dress more professionally, the House unanimously passed a dress code for members while they are on the House floor.
Speaker Bob Kiss, D-Raleigh, said the code, which describes “minimum standards of dress” for male and female members, was necessary after several delegates came to the January special session dressed in running suits.
House Resolution 8 requires women members to wear “a suitable dress or an appropriate blouse and skirt or pants suit.”
But the “minimum” standard for male delegates has some people snickering. Men are only required to wear “coat and tie.”
It would be an “ugly sight,” said Bobbie Hatfield, a Kanawha County Democrat. She noted House members are in a walking competition this year and delegates are supposed to be trying to lose weight.
“Until there’s a weight reduction, I want the men fully dressed,” she said.
During her 14 years in the House, Delegate Margarette Leach, D-Cabell, said, she has seen about as much of the male members as she wants.
“I’ve seen some of their legs in shorts, so I don’t want to see any more,” the veteran lawmaker said.
Another member said there could be advantages to the partial dress. “I think we’d get business done rather quickly,” said Delegate Patti Schoen, R-Putnam.
“No shirt, no service,” said Delegate Virginia Mahan, D-Summers.
“I’m waiting for the implementation,” said Delegate Cindy Frich, D-Monongalia. “It seems so much less strict than the governor’s rules.”
House Government Organization Chairman J.D. Beane, D-Wood, said not to expect him to attend floor sessions in the minimum attire. “There’s a draft in here at times.”
And House Majority Whip Scott Varner, D-Marshall, left no doubt where he stands. “No. I’ve got to wear pants,” he said, adding House rules do not take precedence over state laws.
Known for his appearances as a model at Charleston-area fashion shows, freshman Delegate Danny Wells, D-Kanawha, said it might not be a bad idea: “When it warms up I may consider it.”
Schoen noted House members could always change their rules. “If jacket and tie are too much, let us know. We’ll consider changing it,” she said.
Change could come. But Kiss said it’s not necessary while he sits on the dais.
“While I’m serving as speaker, it will be enforced requiring pants also,” the speaker said.
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