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Georgia legislator wants slavery apology

ATLANTA, March 2 (UPI) -- A Georgia legislator said he wants the state's new General Assembly speaker to push a debate for a state resolution for an apology for slavery.

Democratic state Rep. Al Williams remains hopeful despite the new General Assembly Republican leader David Ralston announcing his reluctance in Atlanta to debate an apology, the Florida Times-Union reported Tuesday.

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"I'm about looking forward. I know that every Georgian today would agree that the period of slavery in Georgia, including the Civil War, was a very painful, tragic episode in our history," said Ralston.

Ralston said debating the resolution also could open the door to an apology for the Trail of Tears, during which tribes of American Indians were displaced by white settlers.

Ralston said he feared a divisive debate would take time and energy from the more pressing matters of budget, water and transportation.

Williams said that while some white members of the General Assembly have given recommendations on the resolution, and while some black members have said a public debate is no long necessary, he believes an apology is necessary for moving forward with race relations.

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"Someone slaps you, and several months later they walk up to talk to you. You kind of want an 'I'm sorry' before you move onto the next question. That's just basic human instinct. What happened to 'I'm sorry?'" said Williams.

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