Alabama Legislature votes to remove racist, offensive language from state's 1901 constitution

 MONTGOMERY - Legislation that would strip racist and offensive language from the 1901 Alabama Constitution won final passage today from the Legislature.
The measure, co-sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and Rep. Phil Williams, R-Huntsville, would have to be a ratified by voters in a statewide referendum, likely in November 2012.
The offensive language that would be removed includes a provision that says separate schools shall be provided for "white and colored children," and that no child of either race shall attend the same school.
It would also remove references to Alabama's "poll tax," which was used to keep blacks from voting until passage of the 1965 federal Voting Rights Act.
Williams said the references hurt the state's image and can be used against Alabama when it's recruiting against other states for economic development projects.
Black lawmakers opposed the bill, saying it didn't go far enough because it failed to include language that constitutionally guaranteed a public education.
Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, called the legislation a "feel good" bill for white lawmakers. "It was a con game on the black people of Alabama," he added.
Rep. Dario Melton, D-Selma, called it a "sin problem."
"If you're going to be serious about dealing with racist history in Alabama, we ought be dealing with it in education," he said.
Williams called it "an honor" for him to handle the bill because he is in an interracial marriage. His wife, Lisa, is Vietnamese. "It was a symbolic step in the right direction," he said.
Williams said the state already levies most of the taxes in Alabama for education. He said the responsibility for education ultimately lies with parents.
A similar constitutional amendment was rejected by Alabama voters in 2004, but Orr said there was confusion among voters over whether that amendment might permit higher taxes.
Orr said he waited for Democrats to take action on the issue while they held the majority in the Legislature before deciding to sponsor the bill in the 2010 session.