Va. lawmakers pass slavery apology

RICHMOND, Va. - Meeting on the grounds of the former Confederate Capitol, the Virginia General Assembly voted unanimously Saturday to express "profound regret" for the state's role in slavery.

Sponsors of the resolution say they know of no other state that has apologized for slavery, although Missouri lawmakers are considering such a measure. The resolution does not carry the weight of law but sends an important symbolic message, supporters said.

"This session will be remembered for a lot of things, but 20 years hence I suspect one of those things will be the fact that we came together and passed this resolution," said Delegate A. Donald McEachin, a Democrat who sponsored it in the House of Delegates.

The resolution passed the House 96-0 and cleared the 40-member Senate on a unanimous voice vote. It does not require Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's approval.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070225/ap_on_re_us/slavery_apology

of saying sorry for something they did not do. Why not get to work making sure that everyone in that state is treated like a decent human being. Maybe if they focused their efforts toward better jobs and health care for minorities instead of making apologies that will not change the life of one person in Virginia then they could claim some progress.

agree, but damn its time do do something with real teeth, not just these symbolic gestures.

As a "white" Virginian with slave ancestry, I am very glad that this step was taken, even if 150 years too late. Wonder why it got so little notice here. Even though slaves were treated better in Virginia than in the Deep South, we bear the greatest guilt for separating families and exporting slaves to other states.