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Pulaski County Votes To Support Ending Dual King-Lee Holiday

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Birmingham Police Department

The Pulaski County Quorum Court has passed a resolution to support proposed legislation that would end the state's practice of commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on the same day.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee
Credit Library of Congress

The court voted 13-0 Tuesday to support ending the practice in Arkansas - one of three states to jointly celebrate the black civil rights leader and the white Confederate general on the third Monday in January.

A proposal to end the practice failed repeatedly before a House committee last year, as some opponents argued that separating the holidays would diminish the state's Confederate heritage.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said he supports ending the dual holiday and is considering putting the proposal before lawmakers later this spring.

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