NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) —A resolution to remove Nathan Bedford Forrest bust from Tennessee capitol failed in a committee on Tuesday.
Rep. Rick Staples (D-Knoxville) introduced HJR0686, which not only calls for the Bedford bust's removal, but suggests it be replaced with someone "more deserving." The Naming, Designating, & Private Acts Committee voted 5 for and 11 against on Tuesday, killing it for the year.
Even if the resolution was approved, it still had to pass several more hurdles before going to the Capitol Commission for consideration.
Forrest's bust has been the topic of controversy for years. There's been several protests, heated discussions in the Tennessee House and petitions with thousands of signatures calling for its removal.
While some have called for additional context to accompany the bust, including Gov. Lee, others continue to seek its outright removal.
Staples suggested replacements of either Gatlinburg native Anne M. Davis, the third woman elected to the Tennessee House of representatives and was instrumental in the founding of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park or Knoxville native William F. Yardley who Staples says was an "influential and powerful advocate for the legal rights of blacks and was the first African American to run for governor of Tennessee."