NASHVILLE, Tenn.--The earliest potential date for a final hearing on removing the bust of a Confederate general and KKK leader from the Tennessee Capitol Building won't come until 2021.
Last week, the Tennessee Capitol Commission voted to have the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest removed from Nashville Capitol Building. The 9-2 vote also added the removal of Civil War Union David Admiral Farragut and WWI General Albert Gleaves. The idea is to have the busts relocated to the Tennessee State Museum to honor military leaders.
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But before that can happen, the Tennessee Historical Commission -comprised of 24 Tennesseans representing the state's grand divisions- must now vote in agreement with the Capitol Commission, a process which will take some time.
According to the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act (THPA), a petition to the commission for a waiver has to be filed with the Historic Commission, notice of the waiver has to be published for the public, an initial hearing must take place no sooner than 60 days after the petition is filed, and a final hearing can't be scheduled before 180 days have passed after the petition is filed.
Based on the laws governing the process, the soonest the Historical Commission could hold an initial hearing is October, provided all materials have been provided. That means a potential final hearing wouldn't take place until February of next year.
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The legal hurdles add on to what has been a lengthy call for the removal of Nathan Bedford Forrest's bust, an effort aided by Governor Bill Lee's public support for removal. In a statement following the Capitol Commission's vote, Gov. Lee shared his commendation of the decision.
“I commend members of the State Capitol Commission for taking up the Nathan Bedford Forrest bust issue and arriving at a thoughtful resolution that provides important historical context for the bust at the State Museum. Scripture implores us to live in peaceful unity and I believe today’s actions reflect this and our commitment to remembering all parts of our past," Gov. Lee stated.
Governor Lee will also play a role in the Historical Commission's vote as he is one of the 29 members. While 24 members represent the west, middle, and east grand divisions of Tennessee with 8 from each division, it also includes Gov. Lee, a state historian, state archaeologist, Commissioner of Environment and Conservation, and State Librarian and Archivist.
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