New state flag endorsed by Georgia governor, lawmakers
Plan would eliminate 'Dixie' image
ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- The state's political parties on Friday endorsed a new state flag that would eliminate the Confederate battle flag image that has created bitter controversy.
The Georgia flag may be changed within weeks -- without a public vote first -- under the plan. But a referendum would be held next year.
Gov. Sonny Perdue, who had proposed a statewide referendum on changing Georgia's flag shortly after his upset victory last November, is now endorsing a completely new flag design that echoes a different historical Confederate banner, the so-called "stars and bars."
The Legislature, led by former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, had voted in 2001 to shrink the Confederate battle emblem on the state flag, which was added in 1956 as Georgia schools were being ordered to desegregate.
Perdue rode public fury over the flag change to an upset victory in November.
The new flag design, approved by the House Rules Committee on Friday, resembles the first national flag of the Confederacy -- three red and white stripes, with a blue field in the top left corner. The state seal would be in the blue corner, and the words "In God We Trust" would be written to the right.
Perdue's bill calls for the Legislature to change the flag to the new design immediately. Then, in March 2004, a public referendum would be held to let voters decide whether they want to keep that flag.
Only if the Perdue flag is rejected by voters would a second referendum be held, this time in July 2004, asking voters if they want to return to the Georgia flag dominated by the Confederate battle emblem.
"We believe this represents a compromise," said Rep. Glenn Richardson, R-Dallas, who sponsored Perdue's flag bill. "This will bring this to a conclusion."
The proposal now heads to the full House for a vote, although the bill may be changed and still requires Senate approval.
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