AUSTIN — AUSTIN -- It's been a long-running debate in Austin: should two streets named after confederate leaders be renamed?
On Thursday, the Austin City Council unanimously voted to make it happen.
Here's a look at the proposed name changes:
1. Robert E. Lee Road will become Azie Morton Road. Morton is from Dale, Texas, graduated from Huston-Tillotson University and was the first African-American to serve as United States Treasurer during Jimmy Carter's presidency.
2. Jeff Davis Avenue will become Will Holland Avenue. Holland served in the Texas House of Representatives and the Travis County Commissioners Court. He also was the first superintendent for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute for Colored Youth.
Opposers of the street name change said renaming Jeff Davis Avenue and Robert E. Lee Road would erase history.
On the other hand, supporters believe the street name change is a way to heal our community. Morton's daughter Virgie spoke to KVUE Thursday. She believes the name change will educate future generations.
"Recently, I've come realize how influential she was and how much of a person that people have grown to love her and respect her," Morton said.
City officials did not say when the name change will take place or the cost.
KVUE conducted a poll Wednesday on the Nightbeat regarding the name change and here were the results:
The name change debate sparked shortly after the Charlottesville Riot in 2017.