RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Virginia lawmakers have moved forward with a measure expressing "profound regret" for the state's historical involvement with slavery.
The measure passed by the Virginia House Rules Committee expressed unanimous regret for slavery and other historical injustices against blacks and American Indians, USA Today reported Thursday.
Del. Donald McEachin, D-Richmond, who proposed a measure calling for "atonement," said the expression of regret is "a good first step."
McEachin, whose great-grandfather was a slave, said the bill was altered because some members of the legislature feared an outright apology could lead to demands for cash reparations to the descendents of slaves.
A state Senate committee unanimously approved a bill expressing "profound contrition" for slavery and is believed likely to pass, the newspaper said.
McEachin told USA Today the bill is an important part of remembering the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, which marked the first permanent English settlement in North America and was the first part of the continent to see the use of African slaves.
