Gov. Warner says more than Lynching apology is needed

Gov. Mark R. Warner, a Democrat, today commended a resolution sponsored by Sen. George Allen, a Republican, for the U.S. Senate to apologize for failing to enact anti-lynching legislation long ago. But the governor also one-upped the senator before an audience of Virginia NAACP leaders and activists. "What we need to do is move beyond that" apology idea, Warner said. He took partial credit for state legislators' votes earlier this year to fund a $1 million scholarship program for people denied a public education a half-century ago during the Massive Resistance period; the action followed an earlier apology by the legislature. Allen, a former governor, and Warner made brief welcoming remarks to the Virginia State Conference NAACP annual state convention. Both applauded the organization for its efforts. [more]