RICHMOND - A veteran state legislator's comment that blacks should "get over" slavery, and his question whether Jews should apologize "for killing Christ" drew angry rebukes on the House floor Tuesday.

Del. Frank Hargrove, R-Hanover, stood by his statements and told a fellow legislator, whose Jewish grandparents fled religious persecution in Poland early last century, "Your skin is a little too thin."

Hargrove, 79, set off the controversy in an interview published Tuesday by The Daily Progress of Charlottesville. He had criticized a resolution that calls for the General Assembly to apologize for slavery that once existed in Virginia. Several black lawmakers say the measure, H J728, would promote racial understanding and healing.
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Hargrove told the newspaper that an apology is unnecessary and smacks of too much political correctness.

"The present commonwealth has nothing to do with slavery," he said. "I personally think that our black citizens ought to get over it. By golly, we're living in 2007."

Hargrove, a 25-year veteran of the House, said the resolution could open a floodgate for other apologies. "Are we going to force the Jews to apologize for killing Christ?" he asked in the newspaper interview. "Nobody living today had anything to do with it."

The comments drew criticism on the House floor Tuesday from Del. Dwight Jones, D-Richmond, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus.

"When someone tells me I should just get over slavery, I can only express my emotion by projecting that I am appalled, very appalled," Jones said. He accused Hargrove of making "narrow-minded, exclusionary statements."

The lawmaker who sits next to Hargrove - Del. David Englin, D-Alexandria - rose and in a trembling voice told the House that his Jewish grandparents fled Poland, "where they were driven from their homes by people who believed that we, as Jews, killed Christ."

Englin held up a wallet-size picture of his 7-year-old son, Caleb. "When words are put out by respected members of this body that could potentially hurt my family, I want everyone to understand the practical effects of those words," Englin said. "My 7-year-old son is more likely to be verbally attacked and physically attacked."

Many delegates applauded.

Hargrove stood and patted Englin's arm. "I didn't even know you were Jewish," he said. "... I don't care what your religion is."

Hargrove adde d, "I think your skin was a little too thin."

There was a momentary silence on the floor. Many delegates shook their heads.

After the House session, Hargrove said he didn't understand the fuss. He said he opposes the General Assembly issuing apologies for past events over which current members had no control.

"Political correctness has us so damn intimidated, we're afraid of everything," he said. "I won't be intimidated."

Several years ago, Hargrove vigorously opposed a resolution to apologize for the forced sterilization of mentally retarded people in the early 20th century. Hargrove had a brother, Arthur, who was a victim of the program. The lawmaker said he objected to the legislature apologizing for something his well-meaning parents consented to, based on the best advice of their time.

Hargrove, who runs an insurance agency, said he deplores slavery and has a son-in-law who is Jewish.

"This whole thing has been taken out of context," he said. "I just asked the reporter a question to make my point. It wasn't that I was saying the Jews ought to apologize."

As for the criticism over his slavery comment, Hargrove said, "It's political posturing, that's all it is."

Englin, as he was leaving the House, said he does not believe Hargrove is mean-spirited.

"He just doesn't get it," Englin said.


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