Michael Speciale

Michael David Speciale (born December 9, 1955) is an American Republican politician.[1] He was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives representing the 3rd District from 2013 until 2021.[1] He was born in Chicago, Illinois, before moving to North Carolina as a Marine at the age of 18.[2]

Michael Speciale
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 3rd district
In office
January 1, 2013 – January 1, 2021
Preceded byNorman Sanderson
Succeeded bySteve Tyson
Personal details
Born
Michael David Speciale

(1955-12-09) December 9, 1955
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseHazel Bradley
Residence(s)New Bern, North Carolina, U.S.
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1973–1995

He represented Craven County.[3]

During a debate for an Anti-Puppy Mill Bill, which was a central focus for the First Lady of North Carolina, Ann McCrory's legislative interests, to illustrate the issue of the lack of specificity that comes with over-regulation, Speciale stated: "Exercise on a daily basis – if I kick him across the floor, is that daily exercise? 'Euthanasia performed humanely' – so I should choose the ax or the baseball bat?"[4]

In February 2017, Speciale joined with Representatives George Cleveland (R-Jacksonville), and Larry Pittman (R-Cabarrus) in proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow North Carolina voters to repeal Article I, Section 4 of the North Carolina Constitution. This article declares " "This State shall ever remain a member of the American Union; the people thereof are part of the American nation," and prohibits the state from seceding from the United States of America, and its inclusion in North Carolina's 1868 constitution was a condition for being readmitted into the Union after the Civil War.[5]

In April 2017 Representative Speciale along with Representatives Larry Pittman and Carl Ford filed a bill in the N.C. General Assembly that says gay marriage is not valid in North Carolina. The bill, H.B. 780, claimed the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows gay marriage is not valid in North Carolina. The bill stated, "…the United States Supreme Court overstepped its constitutional bounds when it struck down Section 6 of Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution in its Obergefell v. Hodges decision of 2015…" and also says that the Supreme Court ruling "…exceeds the authority of the Court relative to the decree of Almighty God that 'a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh' (Genesis 2:24, ESV) and abrogates the clear meaning and understanding of marriage in all societies throughout prior history…" Had the bill passed, marriages of the same gender performed outside North Carolina would also not recognized. House Speaker Tim Moore released a statement Wednesday on the Uphold Historical Marriage Act that said, "There are strong constitutional concerns with this legislation given that the U.S. Supreme Court has firmly ruled on the issue, therefore House Bill 780 will be referred to the House Rules Committee and will not be heard."[6]

Speciale sponsored a bill in 2018 supporting arming teachers.[7]

References
  1. "North Carolina General Assembly - Representative Michael Speciale (Republican, 2015-2016 Session)". www.ncleg.net. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  2. "Michael Speciale". michaelspeciale.com. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
  3. "NC General Assembly".
  4. "Why NC's first GOP governor in a generation lost – Christensen". News & Observer. Retrieved 2016-12-15.
  5. "NC constitution's ban on secession could be dropped under House bill, Feb. 21, 2017". charlotteobserver. Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  6. "Ford, Pittman and Speciale: Ban gay marriage, U.S. Supreme Court doesn't apply in N.C., Apr. 12, 2017". Independent Tribune. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  7. Bonner, Lynn. "GOP leaders are standing in the way of a debate on arming teachers, supporters say".


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