Virginia says it's sorry
for its role in eugenics
The Senate and House of
Delegates have agreed to express regret for Virginia's role in eugenics,
the Richmond Times-Dispatch
reported.
Eugenics, a pseudo-science
intended to purify the white race, involved the sterilization of people
considered unfit for childbearing. Criminals and mentally retarded
people were prime targets of the process.
Eugenics gained popularity
in the early 1920s and resulted in more than 7,000 sterilizations
in Virginia. Nazi Germany reportedly modeled its racial policies on
Virginia's eugenics law.
Earlier this session, the
House passed a resolution expressing "profound regret" for
Virginia's part in the eugenics movement. On Wednesday, the Senate
also approved the resolution.
A few senators opposed
the state's attempt to reconcile its past. Sen. Warren E. Barry, R-Fairfax,
said the resolution could reflect a "trend in this country to re-create
history."
Committee pledges: no
suspensions
The House Education Committee
yesterday objected to a bill that would require public schools to
suspend students if they refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance, The
Virginian-Pilot reported.
The committee changed the
legislation to let schools decide how to discipline such students.
The panel's action drew
criticism from the bill's sponsor, Sen.
Warren E. Barry, R-Fairfax. He said he wanted the bill killed if it
did not require suspending students.
After hearing the committee's
decision, Barry left the meeting. The panel is looking to pass the
bill on to the House of Delegates. But if Barry does not come to the
committee's Friday meeting, the bill will die.
Negotiators wheel and
deal on budget plans
The ready-set-go whistle
was blown last night when the House and Senate designated eight negotiators
to hash out state budget plans, the Richmond
Times-Dispatch reported.
The state budget has to
be finalized in nine days. Negotiators are faced with Gov. Jim Gilmore's
plans for a 70 percent car tax cut.
But there are other fish
to fry. Budgeting decisions to make include:
