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Senate committee rejects renaming Confederate Flag Day to 'Arkansas Day' after public opposition
Summary
A State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs Senate committee considered House Bill 19-16 to rename Confederate Flag Day but rejected the measure after extended public testimony and a roll-call vote that fell short of a majority.
A Senate committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs voted against House Bill 19-16, a proposal to rename the state’s Confederate Flag Day as “Arkansas Day,” after more than a dozen witnesses — mostly veterans and members of lineage organizations — urged opposition.
Representative Austin McCollum, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure was intended to broaden the day’s language to “reflect on the rich history, national treasures, diverse cultures, unmatched hospitality, shared spirit, and human resilience that makes the people of this state.” He told the committee the bill would not prevent individuals from displaying or celebrating the Confederate flag and noted that Robert E. Lee Day remains established in state statute.
Opponents who testified said the day honors ancestors and local veterans and should not be changed. Robert Freeman, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer from Hot Springs, urged senators to vote no, saying, “Therefore, I urge a no vote on House Bill 19-16.” John Bowers of Hot Springs Village and several lineage-society representatives and veterans made similar appeals, recounting annual observances on the State Capitol grounds.
Several witnesses disputed or corrected competing accounts of the holiday’s origins. Joey McCutcheon of Fort Smith challenged the assertion that the 1957 law was adopted directly in response to the Little Rock integration crisis, calling that claim “absolutely untrue.” Representative McCollum acknowledged the bill was passed in 1957 and said the broader historical context included racially charged legislation of the era; he framed the current proposal as an effort to make the holiday inclusive rather than to erase history.
After closing remarks by the sponsor, Senator Tucker moved to pass the bill; Senator Davis seconded. A roll-call vote recorded the following positions: Senators Bledsoe and English voted no; Senators Hester, Davis, Ballinger and Tucker voted aye; Senator Garner voted no. The chair announced, “Bill fails for lack of majority.”
The hearing record shows about ten signed witnesses opposing the bill and a sponsor who repeatedly said the measure would not eliminate veteran recognition. The committee did not advance the measure. The committee adjourned after additional unrelated business.
The next procedural step for HB 19-16 is not recorded in the committee transcript.
