Legislators Call For Study to Examine Merger of Historically Black Colleges, Majority White Institutions

A lawmaker who wants to merge two historically black colleges in Georgia with nearby predominantly white institutions has teamed up with the head the state's Legislative Black Caucus in calling for a study committee to examine the move. State Sens. Seth Harp and Emanuel Jones are backing a resolution recognizing the importance of the historically black schools. The resolution introduced Thursday also calls for a panel to investigate consolidating colleges in the state. Harp, a Republican from Midland, has said the state should look at merging the schools in Savannah and Albany to save money in tough budget times. Harp says the schools are a vestige of the state's Jim Crow laws. Jones has argued the schools have a rich heritage and educate those who otherwise might not attend college.

(Associated Press)

Smyre Supporting Clinton

Smyre

U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton received another boost from a prominent black leader today when the head of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators threw his support
behind her presidential campaign.

Georgia state Representative Calvin Smyre says Clinton has "the strength and experience" to bring about needed change.

Clinton is locked in a battle for the black vote with U.S. Senator Barack Obama, who is trying to become the nation's first black president.

That fight is heated in Georgia where blacks have made up nearly half the vote in the state's recent Democratic primaries. Georgia's presidential primary is February 5.

Clinton has already been endorsed by Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta, a hero of the civil rights struggle.

Attorney General Thurbert Baker and Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, the state's only two black statewide elected officials, are also supporting Clinton.

Obama has the support of another pair of black U.S. congressmen from Georgia, Sanford Bishop of Albany and Hank Johnson of Lithonia.

Smyre has served for nearly 30 years in Georgia's legislature, where he has held a number of leadership roles.

He' s a past Chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and a past President of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials. He is an executive vice president for corporate affairs at Synovus Financial Corporation.

(The Associated Press)

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