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Floor fireworks

Some California Republican lawmakers are upset that the Democrat-controlled state Assembly refused to let them hold a Fourth of July celebration on the Assembly floor to honor a Vietnam veteran and former U.S. senator.

Republican Assemblyman Jay LaSuer of San Diego wanted to honor Adm. Jeremiah Denton on Monday in a Fourth of July ceremony. Adm. Denton was a Navy pilot shot down in Vietnam who spent eight years as a prisoner of war. He later became an Alabama senator.

"Suffice it to say, Jeremiah Denton is unquestionably an American hero," Republican Assemblyman John Campbell of Irvine wrote in a Wednesday memo on the issue.

Mr. Campbell said the state Assembly holds celebrations on the floor for holidays such as Cinco de Mayo, and Republicans wanted to have one for the Fourth of July.

Democratic leadership refused to let Adm. Denton on the Assembly floor, however, so Republicans couldn't hold their patriotic celebration there, he said. Mr. Campbell referenced a memo from the Democratic speaker's office, which said "problems have arisen both with regards to the spirit, content and participation of various individuals with regard to the ceremony.' "

Democrats apparently felt Adm. Denton didn't believe in "separation of church and state" and they didn't like his policies when he was senator, Mr. Campbell said.

Republican lawmakers ultimately were able to honor Adm. Denton in a celebration in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office Monday, but Mr. Campbell had strong words for Democrats' handling of the situation.

"It's OK to speak, as long as you speak what liberals want to hear. And even if you have suffered unbelievable sacrifice for this nation ... and the right of all of us to speak, you may be denied that right if you don't agree with the liberal majority," he said in a phone interview yesterday.

Nick Velasquez, spokesman for Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Nunez, Los Angeles Democrat, said the issue was resolved because the governor agreed to honor Adm. Denton in his office. Mr. Velasquez also said the Assembly honored the holiday by passing a resolution Monday, but didn't have time for other ceremonies because they were in the midst of budget negotiations and other pressing business.