South Carolina House Opens Debate Over Confederate Flag by The Associated Press

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  COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina House opened debate over the future of the Confederate flag Wednesday, deliberating a proposal that could remove the banner from the Capitol grounds, possibly before the end of the week.
         Lawmakers are under pressure to act after the state Senate passed its own measure, which is supported by Gov. Nikki Haley. If approved, it would consign the flag to the state's Confederate Relic Room.
        But some House Republicans planned to offer amendments to the Senate bill that would preserve some kind of symbol in front of the Statehouse to honor their Southern ancestors.
        One of them, Rep. Mike Pitts, said to banish all flags from the site would be akin toerasing history, including that of his family members in Laurens County and the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia.
•       On the House floor, Pitts talked about a black colleague, Rep. Lonnie Hosey, and how they bonded over the shared memories of military service.
  The House is expected to debate a measure Wednesday that would remove the flag from the Capitol grounds. John Bazemore
        "I'm willing to move that flag at some point if it causes a twinge in the hearts of my friends," Pitts said. "But I'll ask for something in return."
        Pitts said his favorite amendment proposes flying the flag of the 1st South Carolina Volunteers regiment, a blue banner similar to the state flag with its Palmetto tree and crescent moon but with a wreath around the tree. Similar art is etched on a wall inside the Statehouse, Pitts said.
        Pitts did not share all his amendments Tuesday, but The Associated Press was able to obtain copies of the more than two dozen proposals.
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  makes the most sense
  One would put the flag issue to a popular vote.
  -----------------------------------------------------------      Another would allow the rebel banner to fly only on Confederate Memorial Day in May, and a third would replace the Confederate battle flag with a different banner.
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