Stam's amendment

Rep. Paul Stam wanted to make sure the history books are clear: White Democrats were behind the Wilmington race riots.

The Apex Republican proposed adding several lines to a bill acknowledging the 1898 riots that ousted an integrationist government in Wilmington and banished many successful black citizens.

Stam said the bill was rewriting history by leaving out role of the Democratic Party, The News & Observer and others behind the coup.

Rep. Thomas Wright proposed the bill as part of a package of legislation inspired by a 464-page report from the Wilmington Race Riot Commission.

"If you want to do history, we have to do it right," Stam said.

Rep. Dan Blue, a Wake Democrat, said that both Republicans and Democrats contributed to the problems of racism during the 19th and 20th centuries.

"There's enough blame to go around for everybody regardless of partisan bent," he said.

The amendment failed 50-63.