RICHMOND -- A resolution that would have the General Assembly apologize for Virginia's role in slavery has aroused passions in the legislature even before the measure gets its first hearing from committees in the Senate and House of Delegates.

A Hanover County lawmaker's published comments that blacks should "get over" slavery were denounced on the House floor Tuesday by two black delegates who are supporting a resolution of apology. The comments by Republican Del. Frank Hargrove lit the first spark in what figures to be an emotional debate in coming weeks.

Hargrove made the remark in a story published Tuesday by the Charlottesville Daily Progress. In explaining his opposition to the resolution, Hargrove said today's Virginia has no responsibility for slavery and added: "I personally think that our black citizens should get over it."

The same story also quoted Hargrove saying: "Are we going to force the Jews to apologize for killing Christ?

Hargrove's comments drew rebukes on the House floor from Del. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico County, the sponsor of the resolution, and from Del. Dwight Jones, D-Richmond, the chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. Del. David Englin, D-Alexandria, also chided Hargrove for his comments about Jews.

"I am appalled that someone would take the worst institution that has ever faced Americans and tell the ancestors of those individuals that they should just get over it," said Jones, a soft-spoken Baptist minister.

"To have these narrow-minded, exclusionary statements made is an absolute offense," Jones said.

Englin, who sits next to Hargrove on the House floor, said his Polish grandparents "were driven from their homes by people who believed that as Jews, we killed Christ." He called Hargrove's remark "an inflammatory statement that causes a lot of harm."

Hargrove, who has served in the House for 25 years, took the floor to respond to the criticism but did not back down from his opposition to the resolution. Colleagues groaned when Hargrove looked to Englin and said, "I think your skin was a little too thin."

Hargrove said he considers slavery "horrible." But, he added, "not a soul in this legislature had anything to do with slavery."

"If we keep bringing this up, bringing this up, I think it will be harmful," Hargrove said.

Identical House and Senate resolutions (HJ 728 and SJ 332) express the General Assembly's atonement for slavery and call for racial reconciliation. The measures have been sent to the rules committees in their respective houses.

The resolutions state that an apology could ease "the perpetual pain, distrust and bitterness of many African Americans" in a year when Virginia is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement.

House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said he has not taken a position on the resolution. Griffith said he has asked for information about any legal implications of passing such a resolution. But Griffith said he does not question the measure's intent.

"I don't think anybody would make the argument that slavery was a just or good thing," said Griffith, the vice chairman of the House Rules Committee.

Del. Onzlee Ware, D-Roanoke, said he supports the resolution and anticipated that it might create some friction.

"I think it's predictable that it was going to cause some conflicting feelings," said Ware, a member of the Legislative Black Caucus.

Asked about Hargrove's comments, Ware said: "That's not the Frank Hargrove I know."

"I know him as a loving, caring delegate who has extended a helping hand to me on many occasions," Ware said.