Virginia Senate Bows to Anti-Southern Bigotry

Today's vote in the Senate was a true measure of the mettle of our elected officials. While members of the Black Caucus and Democratic party stood up against this Resolution one after another, only one Senator stood up in support. That man was the patron, Senator Charles R. Hawkins.

The sad truth remains that we had the votes to see this Resolution pass, but despite the over 21 committed votes that we had counted through our efforts in the General Assembly these past few weeks, everyone of them failed us when it truly counted. Even more significantly, these Senators dodged responsibility of the issue by simply letting the bill die in a voice vote. No Accountability, No Courage. During the voice vote, the meek "ayes" in support were easily drowned out by the opposition, thus killing the Resolution. In an effort to turn the tide of opposition, Senator Hawkins made an attempt to force a reconsideration, but was again let down, as he was only able to muster FOUR of the needed eight Senate supporters to join with him.

Personally, I feel today we have witnessed the Battle of Falkirk before our very own eyes, but let me guarantee to you that our grand Senate "nobles" will be held accountable for betraying the Southern people.

The list starts here and it starts today. We do not have a vote count except for those who spoke against it today and those who opposed it last week in Committee, but we will demand that every member of the Senate step up to the plate and be responsible for their actions.

At the top of this list are Senator Charles Colgan (D-Manassas) and Senator Ed Houck (D-Culpeper). Both of these men supported us in Committee last week, but when it got too hot for them, they voted against us. Similarly, we were opposed by Senator Thomas Norment (R-James City County), Senator Richard Saslaw (D-Fairfax County), Senator Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Falls Church), Senator Henry L. Marsh (D-Richmond), Senator Janet D. Howell (D-Fairfax County), and many others!

And last but certainly not least, those truly accountable for today's loss are not those who opposed SJR 96, but those who did not have the backbone to stand up for it, which includes a majority of the Republican Senate! Remember this day the next time they ask for your vote, and ask them what they did to make a difference.

As we gather the information on the four Senators who did go to bat for this bill and support a motion to reconsider, I will pass it on. These men deserve our thanks.

As for the rest of them, Sic Semper Tyrannis.

Fred D. Taylor
Virginia State President
Heritage Preservation Association