Black Chosen Ga. Senate Whip

ATLANTA — Democrats in the state Senate today elected a black legislator as majority whip, making him the first black officer since Reconstruction.

Sen. Eugene P. (Gene) Walker of Decatur was elected without opposition as Democrats selected leaders for the two-year lawmaking period that begins in January. Although blacks have held other positions of authority in the Senate, including committee chairmanships, they have not held one of the party leadership posts within the Senate since Reconstruction.