LINCOLN- At a Wednesday hearing, support for a bill that would establish Malcolm X Day as a state holiday drew loud support. However, Sen. Steve Halloran suggested that, instead, Nebraska could implement a shared civil rights leader holiday, honoring Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and several other prolific figures. Preston Love, Jr., a proponent testifier, challenged Halloran's suggestion, saying that "maybe in another state that might be an approach" since Malcolm X was born in Nebraska.

"We have somewhat of a cosmic and divine responsibility to recognize him as a state," continued Love, a North Omaha historian and professor, "give him a day." Kathy Wilmot, the only spoken opponent to the bill and a new member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, said that there are only a set number of days in a year and that many other prominent Nebraskans should be considered. "I don't think we can continually add new holidays," said Wilmot.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney, who introduced the bill, said he has previously attempted to establish the holiday, but failed. However, now that Malcolm X has been newly inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame, there may be a chance. Several proponent testifiers noted the hall of fame induction as a reason to establish the holiday.

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