On Monday, Arizona State Reps. Justin Heap, David Marshall, and Lupe Diaz filed a formal complaint with the House Ethics Committee over recent conduct by Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, who admitted last week to removing and concealing Bibles displayed in the House Members Lounge.
The three Representatives allege in their complaint that Stahl Hamilton “engaged in disorderly behavior, potentially committed repeated acts of theft, and created a hostile work environment, which demonstrate a lack of respect for other members of the Legislature, staff, visitors, and their property, and the rule of law.”
“We, and other Members of the Arizona House who cherish our faith and hold the Bible in reverence, do not see Representative Stahl Hamilton’s disrespect of scripture as playful in any regard. And see Harassment – FAQs, EEOC (Available at: EEOC faqs) (“Examples of [religious] harassment include offensive or derogatory jokes[.]”). In addition, given that her actions appear to have been carried out entirely in secret, lacking any communication of her actions to other Members or individuals, we are at a loss to see how her behavior could be characterized as a “commentary” or a “protest” of any kind. Even those individuals who publicly protest by disturbing property that does not belong to them-for example, those who threw soup at famous works of art in the name of climate change–cannot ignore the rule of law merely because they deem their beliefs or opinions more righteous than those of others,” conclude the lawmakers in their complaint.
On March 23, 2023, Capitol Security received a report that a pair of Holy Bibles, which had been proudly displayed in the House Members Lounge for decades, were missing. The next day, House security staff initiated a comprehensive search for the missing Bibles. Subsequently, it was discovered that the Bibles had been taken from their display tables, concealed underneath the cushions of two chairs where House members commonly sit while not engaged in Floor activity.
One week later, on March 29, 2023, one of the Bibles went missing again, this time discovered inside a shared kitchens’ refrigerator, having been removed from the Members Lounge by an unknown individual, later identified as Stahl Hamilton.
The three Representatives issued the following statement:
“The Preamble to the Arizona Constitution reads only: ‘We the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.’
The Holy Bible has been central to the formation and history of our State. It remains today a source of inspiration, guidance, and hope for millions of Arizona citizens.
Bibles have been present at the Capitol since its founding and two copies of the Holy Bible are proudly displayed in the Members Lounge outside the entrance to the House Chamber. There they serve as an abiding reminder to your elected Representatives that there is an authority higher than themselves, and that authority demands that they act with humility, compassion, and personal integrity in all that they do.
The actions of Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton to remove, conceal, and disrespect the sacred text held in reverence by her fellow members suggests to her colleagues, and to the millions of faithful citizens of Arizona, that their beliefs and values are no longer welcome within the halls of their own government.
We formally request that the House Ethics Committee investigate fully the actions of Representative Stahl Hamilton for unethical conduct and behavior undignified of a Member of the Arizona House of Representatives. May the same Almighty God, recognized by Arizona’s Founders continue to protect our liberty.”
