TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Legislature is sending Gov. Rick Scott a bill to replace a Confederate general's statue as one of Florida's two contributions to the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection.
The House approved the bill Wednesday requiring the Great Floridians Committee to recommend three individuals to be considered by the Legislature and governor to replace Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith. Smith is famous as the last Confederate officer to surrender a significant military force in the Civil War.
The bill passed despite protests from members who say it doesn't respect Florida's history.
House sponsor Jose Diaz of Miami denied that. Diaz also said he's received online hate mail and veiled threats over his handling of the bill.
Speculation on replacements has included Walt Disney, environmentalist Marjorie Stoneman Douglas and others.
