From Delegate Adam Ebbin:
Resolution commending group?s civic service receives unusual treatment(Richmond, VA) ? A resolution introduced by Delegate Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria) that commended the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA) on its 25th Anniversary drew objections from House Republicans on Friday, March 9.
The resolution noted the group?s history of contributing to the betterment of the greater community through environmental cleanup projects, fundraising for the Arlington Food Assistance Center and the establishment of a scholarship fund for college students.
Delegate Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg) asked that the resolution be removed from a block vote and voted ?nay? along with Delegate John Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake) and other Republicans on a voice vote. No Democrats were heard voting nay.
The normal practice of the House is to pass commending resolutions unanimously in block vote. Of the more than five hundred commending resolutions introduced in the House in 2006, only one or two others were not passed unanimously. A number of House Republicans opposed a resolution commending former Republican Delegate Gary Reese.
Delegate Ebbin said, ?Just as the Republicans began the 2006 General Assembly session by ignoring our transportation crisis and instead seeking to profit politically by dividing straight Virginians against gay Virginians, they are moving towards ending the session on the same destructive note. No one spoke to say what they disagreed with in my resolution. I do not believe that any Delegates could take issue with the outstanding civic contributions of the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance, but rather that they objected to the recognition of a gay and lesbian group, no matter what its contributions. Despite the bigotry of a few, I was happy that the resolution passed overwhelmingly.?
A copy of the resolution can be found online here.