The incongruous nature of the holiday, which simultaneously celebrated the lives of Confederate Army generals and a civil rights icon, did not escape the notice of Virginia lawmakers.

In the past week, its shutdown has created a battle between security and economics, with angry Virginia lawmakers threatening to push through legislation to force it open if the president did not act first.

Virginia lawmakers have suggested that they would ban trash barges - each of which carries 300 truckloads of trash.

Virginia lawmakers have been so impressed with Richmond's success that they are considering legislation that would bring state gun statutes more in line with Federal laws.

Virginia lawmakers considered a measure similar to Maryland's this year.

Linwood Duncan, a spokesman for Mr. Goode, said the Virginia lawmaker had no intention of backing down, despite the furor.

The shutdown created a battle between security and economics, with Virginia lawmakers threatening to push through legislation to force the airport open if the president did not act.

Some Virginia lawmakers said their plan was surprisingly harsh, considering the Legislature's vote two weeks earlier to kill another conservative initiative, a tax cut.

By noon, all but a handful of the 140 Virginia lawmakers were in their assigned seats to undo a law they had passed by mistake.

So last fall, Mr. Andrews began writing, phoning and dropping in on Virginia lawmakers.