Georgia (2001-2003)

The Georgia Senate has approved a new design for the state flag, voting 34-22 to shrink the Confederate battle flag symbol on the banner. Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, lobbied for the new flag as the Senate met to debate the issue, telling lawmakers they could ease divisions he said had plagued the state over the 50 years since the Confederate symbol was added to the state flag. “We are one people forever woven together in a tapestry that is Georgia,” he declared as the Senate neared what was expected to be a close vote on the proposed flag. “We are all one or at least we should be, and it is our job, our duty and our great challenge to fight the voices of division and seek … reconciliation.”