AUSTIN, Texas — Texas House Speaker Joe Straus is joining a growing number of state lawmakers calling for the removal of a controversial Confederate plaque inside the Capitol.

The plaque, tucked into a narrow hallway in the Capitol’s East wing was originally installed by the Children of the Confederacy in 1959. The Speaker says it's inaccurate because the plaque claims the Civil War wasn’t about slavery.

In a letter to the State Preservation Board, Speaker Straus wrote “Texans should expect to see an accurate depiction of history when they visit their state Capitol. As I have stated before, I also believe that Preservation Board Staff should study the historical accuracy and context of other symbols on the Capitol grounds.”

Dallas Democratic State Rep. Eric Johnson. started the push to remove the plaque shortly after the end of the special session. Johnson says Speaker Straus placing his support behind the plaque’s removal sends a powerful message.

"I think it tells everyone, 'look guys, it's ok,'” Johnson said. “It's not about Republicans versus Democrats or Conservatives versus Liberals, this is about people who value truth."

Johnson will also be meeting with Governor Greg Abbott to discuss the plaque. Though a firm date for that meeting has yet to be set, Johnson says he'd also be open to reviewing other Confederate monuments at the Capitol with the Governor.

Abbott has previously expressed skepticism about removing such symbols. The governor’s office didn’t return a request for comment on Straus’ support of the plaque’s removal.

Meanwhile, the president of Austin's NAACP chapter Nelson Linder says the speaker's support gives him new hope that this Confederate marker’s days are numbered.

"I think for the speaker to say this, the way he said it, speaks not only of his politics but also of being a human being," Linder said.

However some say the marker is a piece of Texas history and should stay. Supporters say its removal won't make the Capitol more beautiful and it won't erase the past.

Representative Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, has released the following statement in response to Speaker Straus’s letter.

“I applaud Speaker Straus for doing the right thing by calling for the plaque’s removal.  The other members of the Texas State Preservation Board are well educated, honest folks.  I think once they've all taken the time to read the plaque and compare it to the historical record, they will come to the same conclusion Speaker Straus and I did.
“We still have work to do, obviously, but this is a very positive step in the right direction.  With Speaker Straus's support, I am confident the plaque will come down soon.  Once again, Speaker Straus has demonstrated the kind of principled leadership for which he is now known."