Harrisburg, Pa. -- A state senator told a black pastor testifying at a committee hearing that, given the chance to cast secret ballots, his fellow legislators would vote to legalize slavery.

Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, D-Philadelphia, made the comments Tuesday during a hearing on a Republican-sponsored bill to amend the state Constitution to outlaw same-sex marriages and civil unions, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on its Web site Wednesday.

"What you are advocating here is that we take away the rights of a minority. And I don't think that's right," Fumo, a staunch defender of gay rights, told the witness, Gilbert Coleman Jr., senior pastor of Freedom Christian Bible Fellowship in Philadelphia.

He added, "If we introduced a bill on slavery, it might pass. That doesn't make it right."

Coleman, who was testifying in favor of the measure, responded: "I doubt that sir."

"Oh, don't bet on it in this General Assembly," Fumo countered. "I know some people up here, especially on a secret ballot, it would be almost unanimous."

Fumo declined to comment Wednesday, but said he would release a statement through his spokesman later in the day.

Fumo, who is white, is in his last months in office after a 30-year career as a state senator. He decided not to seek re-election because of pending federal corruption charges that accuse him of using his state staff for personal and outside work.

The Senate Appropriations Committee could vote on the gay marriage measure as early as Monday.

A committee member, Sen. Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, said Fumo lost control of his emotions.

Asked whether Fumo owes an apology to his fellow lawmakers, Browne said, "If he is serious about those comments, then yes he does."