Rep. Edgar V. Starnes (R-Caldwell) introduced the bill, and explained
that its purpose is to prevent an individual or a minority of
individuals from removing historic monuments from state property. He
mentioned that respected community leaders, including Tom Smith,
Capitol Brigade Commander of the North Carolina Division, Sons of
Confederate Veterans, were present to speak in favor of the bill.

However, the chairman did not recognize Mr. Smith. Instead, he
called on Libba Evans, the Secretary of the Department of Cultural
Resources, to speak AGAINST the bill. Sec. Evans claimed that DCR
is "all about protection and preservation," and that this bill would
not permit state agencies such as the NC Museum of History to remove
displays (such as the Confederate flag exhibit) for necessary care
and maintenance. However, the bill clearly states that state
agencies are allowed to temporarily remove displays "for the
protection, preservation, upkeep, and care of these ... historic flag
displays." Sec. Evans can be reached at (919) 733-4867 or by e-mail
at libba.evans@ncmail.net

The committee chairman, Rep. Womble, and his two vice chairmen, Rep.
Alma Adams (D-Guilford) and Rep. Bernard Allen (D-Wake), all said
that they were "concerned" that the bill would lead to "problems"
related to Confederate flag displays, such as those "problems" that
supposedly occurred in South Carolina and Georgia. Of course, the
problems in those states occurred precisely because a minority of
individuals wanted to REMOVE Confederate flags, against the will of a
majority of the states' residents, and this is precisely the
situation that this bill would guard against.

Rep. Adams raised several objections to the bill, including the fact
that it would supposedly usurp the power of municipalities to control
their own monuments. However, the bill specifically applies only to
those historic monuments "on public property of the State," and not
to federal, municipal, or private property. Despite the groundless
nature of her objections, the chairman continued to delegate his
legal staff the responsibility of researching these "legal issues."

A number of committee members, including Rep. Rex L. Baker (R-
Forsyth), Rep. Joanne W. Bowie (R-Guilford), and Rep. Alex Warner (D-
Cumberland), argued in favor of INCREASING the penalty associated
with removing historic memorials, and thus strengthening the bill.

The committee chairman and his cohort vice-chairmen have made it
clear that they will work to prevent this bill from coming up for a
vote by the committee. Please contact them and urge them to let the
committee vote on House Bill 252, which is important for the
preservation of North Carolina's heritage:

Rep. Larry M. Womble (D), 919-733-5777, Larryw@ncleg.net
Rep. Alma S. Adams (D), 919-733-5902, Almaa@ncleg.net
Rep. Bernard Allen (D), 919-715-2528, Bernarda@ncleg.net

Also, please contact the other committee members and urge them to
support House Bill 252. Many of these committee members are
supporters of Southern heritage, and they will vote in favor of the
bill if given the opportunity. They need to be encouraged to fight
for the right to vote for the Protection of Historic Monuments: