RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Victims of North Carolina’s decades-long forced sterilization program would receive $50,000 each under a bill filed Wednesday that would make the state the first to compensate people who lost their child-bearing abilities under the once-common practice.

“I am very elated at this milestone because it is a milestone,” said Rep. Larry Womble, D-Forsyth, who has led the fight for compensation for more than 10 years. “All the eyes of the world are on North Carolina as to what we’re going to do, finally. I feel very confident; I feel very hopeful; and I feel very positive that the legislators are going to do the right thing.”

Womble wasn’t at the Legislature Wednesday when the bill was filed because he’s at home in Winston-Salem, where he’s recovering from injuries suffered in a car wreck in December that killed another man. He said in a telephone interview that he’s especially pleased that the bill’s sponsors include Democrats, Republicans, blacks, white, men and women.

The bill’s House sponsors include Speaker Thom Tillis, which is unusual because the leader of the chamber doesn’t typically sponsor bills. The Republican said he would consider it a personal failure if eugenics compensation legislation didn’t pass this year. He said he’s wanted to do something for the victims of forced sterilization ever since he was first briefed on the issue four years ago.

“I’m somebody who likes to stake myself out and I want folks to know I have a personal interest in seeing us move forward,” Tillis said, adding the bill is “the right thing to do.”

The bill has bipartisan support. In addition to Tillis and Womble, sponsors include Democratic Rep. Earline Parmon of Forsyth and Rep. Paul Stam, R-Wake. Tillis said he believes there is consensus with the Republican-led Senate, where a bill hasn’t been filed yet. House members filed the bill on the first day of the session.

” … the General Assembly wishes to make restitution for injustices suffered and unreasonable hardships endured by the asexualization or sterilization of individuals at the direction of the state between 1933 and 1974 …,” the bill reads.

Gov. Beverly Perdue’s budget proposal last week included more than $10 million to give $50,000 in tax-free compensation to each living victim. Some of the funds would support other services of the North Carolina Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation.

“I am encouraged that legislators are working together in the best interests of citizens who were affected by this repugnant program,” Perdue said in a statement. “We owe it to those who were harmed so many years ago that we take action now, during this session, and provide compensation and services to eligible recipients.”

A friend of one victim said some of them think the compensation should higher.

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