Arkansas Government Unsure if State Needs to Apologize for Slavery - Gained Nothing from Free Labor

LITTLE ROCK (AP) - As Arkansas prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of Little Rock Central High School's integration, black lawmakers are torn over whether it would be appropriate for the state to apologize for years of slavery.

Alabama last week became the fourth Southern state to formally apologize for slavery. Representative Wilhelmina Lewellen, a Democrat from Little Rock, says she would like the state to consider an apology and thinks Governor Beebe could issue a proclamation expressing regret for the practice.

Beebe says he didn't know if an apology is needed, saying the state has "moved past that." When asked by The Associated Press if he would sign an apology if legislators approved one, the governor says he'd "have to deal with it then."

Senator Irma Hunter Brown, a Democrat from Little Rock, serves as the head of the black caucus. She says she doesn't view an apology as a top issue for the group.

Senator Hank Wilkins the Fourth, a Democrat from Pine Bluff, says blacks should not have to ask for such an apology as , "it cheapens the apology on the part of the one who is apologizing."

This year's legislative session, which formally adjourned in May, did not include any proposals or discussions about any apologies for the practice of slavery. Unless called into a special session, the General Assembly is not set to meet again until 2009.

Legislators in Alabama, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland have issued formal apologies.