COLUMBIA - Gov. Mark Sanford's most important speech of the year talked about the problem of domestic violence in South Carolina, and the governor issued a challenge to every man in the state.

But his call for "men to live up to the gentlemanly tradition of our ancestors" puzzled at least one lawmaker.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a victims' advocate for 25 years, said she appreciated the governor mentioning domestic violence, but "there are certain gentlemanly traditions that we don't want to encourage."

Sanford thanked Cobb-Hunter and other legislators in his State of the State speech Wednesday for strengthening the state's domestic violence laws.

But it was what he said next that perplexed some.

"I want to stop for a minute, and I want to issue a challenge to every man in South Carolina," Sanford said. "And that is to live up to the gentlemanly traditions of our ancestors because, whether Robert E. Lee or Booker T. Washington, both were Southern men who passionately believed things but never reduced those passions down to physical control in the house as a way of expressing an idea or getting a thought across."

Cobb-Hunter said some "gentlemanly traditions" might include the practice of having sex with slaves or hired workers.

"As a woman of color, I'm very hesitant about embracing gentlemanly traditions of your ancestors because it depends on what ancestors you're talking about," she said.

Sanford said he was specifically referring to Lee and Washington and their examples as gentlemen.

He said the practice of men in a "dominant social role" taking advantage of powerless women is wrong.

Sanford's comments during the State of the State did resonate with the executive director of Sistercare, which provides assistance to women and children escaping abusive family situations.

"I was pleased," said director Nancy Barton. "I give him points for raising this issue to begin with, and I give him points because he did speak to the men."

South Carolina's domestic violence laws became stronger Jan. 1 when a new law strengthened punishment for those convicted of the crime.