N.C. Legislature Elects Black Speaker

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s General Assembly on Wednesday elected its first black Speaker since Reconstruction.

“It is a change of leadership with a new generation of ideas and goals, but it is a renewal of our uncompromising commitment to provide opportunities--economic, education, political and cultural--and fair treatment to all the citizens of this state,” said the new legislative leader, Rep. Dan Blue.

He was given the oath of office by state Supreme Court Associate Justice Henry Frye, who in the 1970s was the first black elected to the state Legislature in modern times.

Blue asked the 120 members of the assembly to avoid “partisanship and political rhetoric” as the state faces its many problems.

“Today, we accept that demanding challenge, for this session will be one of vital decisions,” he said. Blue compared the 1991 session to the sessions of 1931 and 1933, when the General Assembly reformed state government to meet the challenges of the Great Depression. Many legislators say the economic problems faced at this session are the worst since then.

All 81 House Democrats voted for Blue, and two Republicans broke ranks with their party to support the Democrat. Republican Minority Leader Jonathan Rhyne also was nominated for Speaker.