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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCommittee approves portraits of civil rights leaders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A legislative committee has endorsed a proposal to hang portraits of Rosa Parks and four other civil rights leaders in the State Capitol.
The House Special Rules Committee voted unanimously in favor of a substitute to House Resolution 121 this morning.
Sponsored by Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D-Atlanta), the resolution urges the state’s Capitol Arts Standards Commission to authorize the placement of the portraits on the second floor of the Capitol.
“I think this is worthy of further discussion and at least getting it to a place where we might have a chance to vote on it,” Rep. Mike Keown (R-Coolidge) said before he urged fellow committee members to recommend the House pass the resolution.
The measure now goes to the House Rules Committee, which sets the agenda for the House floor votes.
The committee angered African-American lawmakers last week when it suggested they redraft the resolution, declaring the Legislature no long has the authority to hang portraits in the Capitol. That power now rests with the arts commission, which the Legislature created last year to oversee artwork in the building.
In response, Brooks submitted a substitute of his resolution to the committee this morning, urging the arts commission to hang the pictures of Parks and four other civil rights leaders: Ralph David Abernathy Sr., Hosea Williams, Joseph Lowery and Joseph Boone.
Brooks modeled his resolution on one that urges the arts commission to authorize the placement of a statue of former U.S. Sen. Zell Miller on the Capitol grounds. The House approved that resolution honoring Miller last month. Meanwhile, Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam (D-Riverdale) said she is preparing to redraft a bill honoring Coretta Scott King and submit it as a resolution to the committee in the Special Rules Committee in the coming days. She also plans to model her proposal on the successful Zell Miller resolution.
As written now, House Bill 88 calls for hanging a portrait to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s late wife in the Capitol. Abdul-Salaam said she would break out another provision in the bill — designating April 27 as Coretta Scott King Day - as a separate resolution to be introduced in the coming days.
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By dave
February 20, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
THIS whole matter has gotten out of hand. ZELL does not need a satatue and we have to many potraits now. PUT them in the civil right museum. WHEN is enough already.
By Rodney
February 20, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
Isn’t there better things our elected officials could be doing besides which pictures to hang at the capital
By Beretverde
February 20, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
Wow… now can we tackle the poor education, horrific traffic and out- dated blue laws? More wasted time and energy on spent the MUNDANE and trivial, says it all about “The Great State of Georgia!” My days in this “great” state are numbered, but Delta is still in Chapter 11 and is NOT ready when I am. Adios Amigos…!
By Jarrod
February 21, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
There are 93 potraits in the state capitol, but only 3 are of African-Americans. This debate is about equity, fairness and inclusion. Its about legitimately being recognized for the contributions that people of African descent have made in this country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, African-Americans make up 29.8% of the state’s population. If we base it on those estimates there should be at least 27 potraits of prominent African-Americans who have made a positive impact in this state’s history. People like Alonzo Herndon, founder of Atlanta Life Insurance Company, Maynard Jackson, Grace Towns Hamilton, 1st African-American woman elected to the GA General Assembly, A.T. Walden, civil rights attorney, and countless others who devoted their lives to create change in our society. We should continously dedicate our efforts to making sure that our state’s public monuments represent the diversity that we all know exists here. If not for us do it for our children who should know, understand, and believe that their ancestors played a significant role in the development of this great country called America and that they can accomplish more in life than dedicating their intellectual talents to becoming athletes and entertainers.
By jan
February 21, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
When will these “haters” get over the fact that everybody that has contributed to society were not or is not “WHITE” or Western European? We deserve just as much space and place as anyone else, so quit hating or move to Russia or Germany, you will be more of an asset to those Nazis and Communists than you will be to Georgia believe me,we do not need you or your kind here.GET OVER IT, we are here to stay and there is no place you can go you will not have the presence of African Americans.Find you another planet to live on.
By uncle jessie
February 21, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
Hey Tyrone, lets add Bill Yopp. One of the most famous Black Confederates. He helped bring us together not tear us apart. Was in 14th Ga Rgmnt. Retired to veterans home in Atlanta and buried in Confed. Cemetary in Marietta.