Despite the presence of 48 Madison residents who attended the City Council meeting to verbally express their support for a proposed slavery-reparations resolution, the measure failed to receive the two-thirds majority vote it needed to pass.

If approved, the resolution would have been given to the U.S. Congress and would have offered the city of Madison’s support for beginning a $8 million research program to determine the effects of slavery and potential reparations for the descendents of slaves.

A representative from the Japanese-American Citizen League expressed his support for the resolution, as did a representative from Wisconsin Women of Color.

Among those present to support the resolution was veteran and ex-POW Will Williams.

“Let conscience be your guide,” Williams told City Council members before the vote had been taken. “Send the right message to Washington.”

Williams expressed his disgust after the resolution failed 9-7.

“It’s sad that they don’t have the courage to address this issue,” Williams said.

The absence of any residents opposed to the issue did not deter some council members from expressing their disapproval of the resolution.

“Descendents of slaves are far removed from the pain slavery caused their ancestors,” Ald. Steve Holtzman, District 19, said. “This resolution would promote racial disharmony.”

Holtzman also expressed his view that because Wisconsin is “north of the Mason-Dixon line” it should not be concerned with the issue of slavery reparations. He argued that because Wisconsin lost 12,000 soldiers in the Civil War, the state has already paid a large enough debt to the efforts to end slavery and repair its effects.

Although Holtzman said he heard opposition from many of his constituents, a list of hate-speech e-mails sent to Ald. Todd Jarrell, District 8, were the only visible signs of strong opposition from Madison residents.

Ald. Andy Olsen, District 15, expressed his support for the resolution by noting that although Madison is a small community, the city can make a difference.

“The effects of slavery are felt through the generations,” Olsen said. “We really can make an effective statement.”

Tina Johnson, an equal-rights activist who has worked extensively in Africa, pointed to the lack of minority council members.

“Look at who dominates our leadership,” Johnson said. “That in itself is proof of the still-apparent effects of slavery.”

Other racially motivated issues addressed by the council Tuesday night included a resolution to continue funding for a local race-relations research program called Study Circles. Despite some logistical issues, the resolution passed with a full majority.

The council also voted against a resolution that would have increased the penalties for cable theft. Charter Communications requested that the city help seek out cable “pirates” and tighten its penalties for repeat offenders. The resolution failed by a 10-8 vote because the alders felt the city’s interest in the issue was unclear.