RALEIGH, N.C.  – One of the most polarizing political figures in North Carolina history remains that way for some almost a year after his death.

The state’s General Assembly honored the late U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms on Tuesday, with a joint resolution and speeches praising the conservative Republican’s integrity, honesty and patriotism.

But in a rare move for such occasions, more than two dozen lawmakers boycotted the vote to honor Helms. Most were black Democrats like Sen. Floyd McKissick of Durham County, who said Helms opposed civil rights for blacks too long and too hard for him to forget.

The only lawmaker voting against the Helms resolution was Sen. Julia Boseman. The New Hanover County Democrat is the Legislature’s first openly gay member.