Garofalo Responds to Losing Chair of House Education
Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo issued a three-page response after being asked by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder to step aside for the remainder of the session from his post as House Education Chairman. The controversy started when Garofalo presented a bill in committee to prohibit divisive concepts in schools.
“I said I’m not resigning and I’m not stepping aside at which point he said well ok then you’re out,” said Garofalo.
While presenting House Bill 564, Garofalo made a statement that said if you are discussing slavery then you can talk about everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly. The statement went viral and Garofalo said the Black Caucus wanted him removed for his bill, not his comments, but said he was removed so tax reform legislation can pass.
Rep. Ray Garofalo
Louisiana’s Legislative Black Caucus has asked for the removal of Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo as House Education Chairman over a comment he made about slavery. While discussing his bill to ban “divisive concepts” Garofalo said there were some good components of slavery.
“You can talk about everything dealing with slavery the good, the bad the ugly,” said Garofalo.
“There’s no good to slavery though,” said Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty.
A video of Garofalo making the comment has gone viral. Garofalo says the slavery comment was taken out of context and blames the media for inflammatory reporting.