Colorado State House censures lawmaker for kicking photographer

By STEPHEN K. PAULSON Associated Press Writer DENVER - The state House voted Thursday to censure a lawmaker who kicked a newspaper photographer taking his picture - and refused to apologize. The resolution, passed 62-1, says Rep. Douglas Bruce "failed to uphold the honor and dignity of the House of Representatives and reflects poorly on the state." Bruce, a Colorado Springs Republican,kicked Rocky Mountain News photographer Javier Manzano for snapping his photo during the traditional session-opening prayer on Jan. 14. Bruce was sworn in as a midterm replacement hours later. Bruce has described his action as a "nudge" and not a kick. As the censure was read, Bruce stood in front of his colleagues toward the side of the chamber, his lips pursed and his arms folded. He then delivered a speech, again blaming the photographer and comparing himself to Jimmy Stewart in the 1939 movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Stewart played a freshman congressman who punches out a photographer and becomes a hero after launching a filibuster and collapsing on the floor. Republican Rep. Al White responded: "Representative Bruce, you're not Jimmy Stewart, this is not a 1939 movie. This is today. Your actions were wrong." The lone vote against censure was by Rep. Kevin Lundberg, a Republican who said Bruce deserved to be punished but that censure was too strong. Bruce was not permitted to vote.