better pull ?em up

Richmond, Feb. 9 (AP): Virginians who wear their pants so low their underwear shows may want to think about investing in a stronger belt.

Lawmakers passed a bill yesterday authorising a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a ?lewd or indecent manner.?

Delegate Lionell Spruill Sr, a Democrat who opposed the bill, had pleaded with his colleagues to remember their own youthful fashion follies.

During an extended monologue on Monday, he talked about how they dressed or wore their hair in their teens.

Yesterday, he said the measure was an unconstitutional attack on young Blacks that would force parents to take off from work to accompany their children to court just for making a fashion statement.

?This is a foolish bill, Mr Speaker, because it will hurt so many,? Spruill said before the measure was approved 60-34. It now goes to the state senate.

The bill?s sponsor, delegate Algie.T. Howell, has said constituents were offended by the exposed underwear.