House demands Chicks apology

AIKEN - Even after an apology, one member of the South Carolina House would like to see some action from the Dixie Chicks.

Last week, Rep. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, introduced a resolution in the House demanding an apology from the music group for a statement made by their lead singer, Natalie Maines, against President Bush.

Mrs. Ceips not only wants an apology, but she also wants the group to perform a free concert for the state's servicemen and women and their families before the scheduled start of the popular country group's next U.S. tour. That tour will begin in Greenville on May 1.

The resolution passed the House and was forwarded to the music group, Mrs. Ceips said.

A Dixie Chicks spokeswoman said the group was not commenting on the resolution nor its request for a free concert.

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Mrs. Maines - who along with band members Emily Robinson and Martie Maguire got their start in Texas - said during a concert in England two weeks ago that she was "ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

After critics assailed the group for being unpatriotic during a time of war and many radio stations vowed to stop playing their music, Mrs. Maines apologized. She said she made the statement out of frustration and said "whomever holds the office should be treated with the utmost respect."

"While war may remain a viable option, as a mother I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost," she said. "I love my country. I am a proud American."

Resolutions have no binding legal authority and are often used to honor people who have recently died, to bestow names on highways or to show the feeling of a legislative body on a particular subject.

Two resolutions have been filed in support of U.S. troops in the Middle East and Mr. Bush's decision to remove Saddam Hussein from Iraq.

Associated Press reports were used in this article.

Reach Matthew Boedy at (803) 648-1395 or matthew.boedy@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Monday, March 24, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle