State House Splits on “King of Pop” Resolution

The state House of Representatives honored the late Michael Jackson Wednesday.

With two votes to spare.

The “memorializing resolution” has no real effect. Votes are routinely unanimous on such measures, although in recent years Murfreesboro Republican Donna Rowland has voted against them, calling the resolutions an unnecessary expense.

But only 51 members of the House voted for the measure honoring Jackson. Twenty-two members voted against it. Another 24 voted “present, not voting,” or pretended to be absent to avoid casting any vote.

Rep. G.A. Hardaway, a Memphis Democrat, asked for the resolution to honor Jackson, who died last summer. In the resolution itself, Hardaway noted that the singer raised millions of dollars for charity during his career and that Jackson had a Tennessee connection, since he was once married to Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie. The measure did not mention accusations of child molestation. Jackson was acquitted of all charges in 2005, but his public image never completely recovered from the allegations.

The vote was not partisan nor was it obviously racially motivated. Republican leaders Glen Casada of Franklin and Jason Mumpower of Bristol voted yes, along with local Republicans Judd Matheny of Tullahoma and Franklin’s Charles Sargent.
Democrats Henry Fincher of Cookeville, Mike McDonald from Portland, and Nashville’s Mike Stewart voted “No,” along with local GOP members Donna Rowland, Terri Lynn Weaver of Lancaster and Curtiss Johnson, from Clarksville.

Those who refused to cast a vote included Republicans Beth Harwell of Nashville and Debra Maggart of Hendersonville, as well as John DeBerry. DeBerry is a Memphis Democrat and the only black member of the House who didn’t vote for the resolution.