WARNER DECLINES TO ISSUE CONFEDERATE PROCLAMATION
March 14, 2002
By LARRY O'DELL
Associated Press WriterRICHMOND, Va. -- Gov. Mark R. Warner met Thursday with a group of Southern heritage enthusiasts and later announced that he will not issue a proclamation designating April as Confederate History and Heritage Month.
"Over the past few years, the issuance of a Confederate history month proclamation has been a lightning rod," Warner said in a written statement. "My belief is that signing such a proclamation would not advance the healing process."
Two years ago, the Virginia chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People threatened to organize protests, including a possible tourism boycott, if the proclamations did not end.
Warner's predecessor, Jim Gilmore, responded the next year by issuing a proclamation recognizing the sacrifices of all Virginians who fought in the Civil War, whether for the Confederacy or the Union. That angered the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the group that had asked for the history month proclamation.
During his campaign last fall, Warner said he would not issue a Confederate proclamation. Leaders of the SCV and other Confederate history buffs were unable to change Warner's mind during a meeting in the governor's office.
"We certainly didn't go in with any false hopes," said Brag Bowling, first lieutenant commander of the Virginia Division of the SCV. "But in my opinion, the meeting was most positive."
He said Warner "left us with the impression that while he may not issue a proclamation this year, he would do other things that in a positive light would recognize the contributions of Southerners, Virginians and Confederate history." Warner was not specific about what he might do, Bowling said.
Warner spokeswoman Ellen Qualls said the governor's plans have not been finalized.
"He has already expressed a desire to make appearances around the state that recognize important historical figures, including those important to the Confederacy," she said.
Among those who met with Warner, Bowling said, were former state Republican Party chairman Patrick McSweeney; Ben Jones, the former "Dukes of Hazzard" actor and Democratic candidate for the 7th District congressional seat; and representatives of the Heritage Preservation Association and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Bowling said the SCV and other groups will celebrate Confederate History and Heritage Month without benefit of a gubernatorial proclamation.
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