Apology for Slavery Tops Lawmaker's List
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A Prince George's County lawmaker introduced a resolution yesterday that offers an apology from Maryland for the state's role in the slave trade.
Sen. Nathaniel Exum (D) sponsored the resolution, which expresses "regret for the role that Maryland played in instituting and maintaining slavery and for the discrimination that was slavery's legacy." Slavery in Maryland was abolished in 1864.
Exum said yesterday he hopes the resolution will be approved this year. A similar resolution, which the lawmaker introduced last year, was approved by the Senate but never made it out of the House.
He added that he thinks the recent unanimous House vote in the Virginia General Assembly should spur action in Maryland. Last week, the Virginia House approved a resolution expressing "profound regret" for Virginia's involvement in slavery.
Exum said he is beginning with the resolution that he ended with last session -- one that offers regrets without reparations, a provision removed last year in committee.
"I plan to spend a lot more time on this and make sure it passes," he said.
-- Ovetta Wiggins
A New Day for Bureaucrats
Donald W. DeVore, Gov. Martin O'Malley's nominee to lead the state's Department of Juvenile Services, yesterday promised "a new direction" for the troubled agency, with a new management team and smaller, community-based facilities for offenders.
"You can expect us to hit the ground running," DeVore, an administrator from Connecticut, said at a news conference announcing his nomination.
If confirmed by the Senate, he will lead an agency for which several governors had promised reforms.
