Black Georgia Lawmakers Storm Out In Obama Resolution Fight

ATLANTA — Two dozen black lawmakers angrily stalked out of the Georgia House on Friday amid claims a decision by white Republican leaders to delay passage of a resolution honoring President Barack Obama had racist overtones.

House Speaker Glenn Richardson said the proposal to make Obama an honorary member of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus required some changes to its language and sent it to a committee. Supporters, including black lawmakers, claimed the move was a snub to the nation's first black president.

"It drips with racism," said state Rep. Al Williams, a Democrat. "I call it just like it is."

State Rep. Austin Scott said he and other Republicans objected to wording that would have put the full chamber on record backing the resolution and its declaration of Obama as a man with an "unimpeachable reputation for integrity."

He said he blocked the proposal after Democrats balked at revising the wording.

"All we've requested is minor changes to the language," he said.

Some noted it was a rare move in the Georgia Capitol, where lawmakers routinely adopt all manner of resolutions without debate and often through a show of hands, from measures honoring a constituent's wedding anniversary to others offering condolences upon a death.

The furor began Thursday when the Republican-controlled House voted 70-68 to reject the resolution. Black lawmakers then walked out Friday, seconds after leaders sent the measure to a committee for reworking.

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Black lawmakers pointed out that they've gone along in the past with other largely symbolic resolutions out of respect for their colleagues, including a 2005 measure commending then-President George W. Bush's much-criticized response to Hurricane Katrina.

At the time, critics complained many minority residents of New Orleans bore the brunt of the 2005 storm and its aftermath.

House Majority Leader Jerry Keen said sending the resolution back to committee would help "get this language recrafted" and Richardson suggested an easy fix could be found.

"Two or three words can be changed and this matter can be voted on," said Richardson, a Republican.

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On the Net:

Senate Resolution 177 and House Resolution 673: http://www.legis.ga.gov

Comments

[greenberetcpt]

This should have been handled with a voice vote affirming the action.

Locally, the Georgia republican state leaders have let everyone know how narrow-minded they are.

In Washington, the republicans from Georgia in the U. S. Senate and the house demonstrate constantly their goal to fight President Obama at every turn. An example: only 5 people voted against Trade Amb. Kirk - Johnny Isakson voted against Trade Amb. Kirk.

Republican led Georgia does everything it can to make it hard for blacks to vote and now the leader of that effort (Secretary of State Cox) wants to run for govenor.

[nowarpleez]

I'm from Chicagoi and L.A., now living in Georgia. These people are still fighting the civil war so this story is not a surprise. I just wish the housing market would improve so I can sell my house and get the hell out of here.

[Slapmewhenitsover]

I still have a house in Georgia, and I can say that without a doubt it is second only to Alabama in its inherent racist policies.

...and I ain't jest whistlin' Dixie neither!

Wish I was in the land O' cotton...

[Tommygun264]

the pubs don't want to use the term "unimpeachable", even in a trivial piece of legislation such as this. Pubs are rooting for failure, regardless of the damage it would do to this country, in hopes they can someday bring this President down. While I am certain that race has some bearing on it for some of these legislators, their unswerving devotion to divisive party politics, no matter how toxic they may prove to this nation, is their guiding light, dim though it may be.

[andyg]

Bah they wanted Bush to fail, the term's payback.

[johnfoirdfw]

No one wanted Bush to fail. He did it on his own.

[rain33]

georgia didn't vote for obama in general election; only the primary election..what kills me is why all the voters from the primary election didn't come out full force in the national?.is racism more stronger than other states or people are just still stuck on stuipd?.we know that racism is still out there but i think that all people need to re-educate themselves as well talking with other races about social issues.we need to focused on getting his budget pass in congress because the blue dogs are looking out for the rich like the gops while their states are suffering due to loss employment, no healthcare etc.enough is enough!everybody should be getting on the bandwagon and start fighting for our president's plan to help the middle class families because we made the rich rich! let's keep it real folks!fight the power!

[TheGuide]

They can do Obama and the country a favor and not include him in their drama. He has his on, thank you very much.

[invisible]

i love obama. i'm african-american. i want to celebrate his historic victory... LATER! he hasn't even been in office for one year! they need to put that bull**** aside for now and get to work on real government issues. and i'm guessing obama would be thinking along those lines as well.

[scpatl4now]

This is so typical for the GA republicans. We have a transportation crisis in Atlanta. Georgia is the ONLY state that does not provide some sort of funding for city mass transit (MARTA in Atlanta). Most of these guys are from rural areas and are about as crooked as they come. You sit for 2 hours in ATL traffic, while a road is being widened somewhere in S. GA which might see 100 cars a day. You cant even buy beer/wine in stores on Sunday! Our redneck Governor is as much a problem as well. Yet, they have time to try (once again) to try to outlaw abortion (they always have time for that...doesn't matter it wont pass), declare frozen embryos are alive and a host of other STUPID things...it embarrassing, truly

[DinSea]

I'm not sure why mixed races are called Black if they have one drop of AA blood ... his is as much WHITE as he is Black ... now what do we do? We need more categories & get past this race thing once & for all.

[AceOfSpades]

It's called American history. There's even a name for it (One-drop Rule). If you can get everyone else in the country to abolish the notion of race, more power to you, but in the meanwhile that is why a person who may have only a little African ancestry is called Black.

[Mdazes]

Because during slavery someone with a white parent and a black parent was a Negroe. Now that a mixed raced person is the President of the United States people want to make it an issue.

[zippywpinhead]

it's an historical thing...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_drop_rule

[TheNuff]

Obama consideres himself black. I don't know why some people can't get over that. He is black.

[LiteSleeper]

No we don't. Don't try to change the rules now that a black man is in the White House.

[Atmus]

Im more annoyed that they went along with a Republican resolution to HONOR GWB for his role in Katrina....I mean seriously.........

I would have never voted for that, they should be ashamed of themselves.

[VOTER]

AGREE!

[kareemachan]

Definitely!

[LanosIceland]

I read a report recently that stated, 12,9% of all jobs lost are in the black community, and over 51% of black men are unemployed. The same report states, that he number of black women working is more than double that of black men: Most of these women have a higher level education. The point is, resolutions don't improve the standing of a people, education does. I'm a black european, and over here we understand the value of education. Obama is the President: how many resolutions do you need to make that point? More important is to transmit to people why he is the President: not in spite of the colour of his skin, but mainly because his mother, and his discipline, secured him the education that opened the door to his success.

[24kgold]

Sorry but you are misinformed. Education is great means to success but it wasn't Obama's education that got him elected. There were far more minorities then they anticipated and he dominated the white female vote. Racism and sexism is still rapid in America, they didn't care about his education. They are still trying to challenge his citizenship.

[angrydove]

I voted for him because of his education, experience, life choices, and because I think he and Michelle are outstanding people.

[stell]

What a waste of time. Why don't you guys worry about creating jobs and limiting the waste, fraud and abuse from the porkulus package.

[Sparty1]

Well this is Jawjuh! I lived in Atlanta for years and I knew not to go outside certain counties. I got lost when I first moved there. I stopped at a gas station to ask for directions and the 'man' looked at me and acted like he didn't see someone standing in front of him and speaking to him. This was 10 yrs ago.

[kittyma]

And at the laser show on Stone Mountain they still end with a laser drawing of Robert E. Lee and the other Southern Civil War Generals and play Dixie. People stand to attention (many with their hands over their hearts) and sing along! Atlanta is a fake oasis in a racist desert.

[dora rice]

To try to go by the book isn't racism. It's called ethical that some of the segment of the population just don't want to understand. No one said " no " to the proposal. It's an every day thing these days, that nothing needs to researched, that nothing needs to take time for looking into, just like the billions that were thrown away without research overnight. This is the kind of country we have now, and I doubt since the cat is out of the bag, that it ever will change anymore.

[Ted LPD]

The stories here indicate a level of maturity and understanding. Thank you. Is is right to call it as it is.