Statement by President on DC Voting Rights

This is a bit late in my opinion, but nevertheless appreciated! Nice timing with our lobby day as well. I’d also like to thank Jim Vance at NBC-4 for putting the bug in Michelle Obama’s ear. Here’s the full statement:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

__________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2010
Statement by the President

On this occasion, we remember the day in 1862 when President Lincoln freed the enslaved people of Washington, DC – nine months before he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. I am proud that an original copy of that document now hangs in the Oval Office, and we remain forever grateful as a nation for the struggles and sacrifices of those Americans who made that emancipation possible.

Americans from all walks of life are gathering in Washington today to remind members of Congress that although DC residents pay federal taxes and serve honorably in our armed services, they do not have a vote in Congress or full autonomy over local issues. And so I urge Congress to finally pass legislation that provides DC residents with voting representation and to take steps to improve the Home Rule Charter.

DC Voting Rights Act on House Floor Next Week

Looks like we’re back in business! The Washington Post is reporting that the DC Voting Rights Act could come to a vote on the House floor as “early as” next week.

According to the article:

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the city’s non-voting House member, said she is still negotiating to try to weaken the gun amendment, but that she is unwilling to sacrifice the opportunity to win a long-sought voting seat for the District by insisting on a stand-alone bill.

“This is the best chance we’ve had to get a House vote for D.C. in my lifetime,” Norton said. “Nobody would leave it on the table because it’s not at all clear when there will be another chance.”

I’ll post more details as they become available…the situation is very fluid.

In any case, it’s a great time to come to the DC Vote Lobby Day on Friday April 16th. We’re meeting at 8:00am in the new Capitol Visitors Center. I’m leading a team and I hope to see you there.

Michelle Obama Supports Voting Rights for DC

First lady Michelle Obama answers Jim Vance’s question about DC voting rights. I admire Jim for asking the questions, and I like the First Lady’s repsonse as well…now we just need to get her husband more involved in the effort to give DC the representation is deserves in Congress!

You can send the President a message at http://www.whitehouse.gov

Resolutions on DC Statehood in State Legislatures

I’ve been working with a number of people to get supportive resolutions on DC Statehood introduced in a state legislatures around the country. I’ve included the sample resolution we’re starting with below.

We need more help in getting these introduced. If you have contacts in a state house or senate, please email me at mike.panetta@gmail.com and let’s find a way to get it introduced and passed.

RESOLUTION ON STATEHOOD FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Whereas, this nation is founded on the principled belief that all people are endowed with certain inalienable rights and that to secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;

Whereas, the rights of the citizens of the District of Columbia are abridged when the U.S. Congress imposes its will on local matters and denies the taxpaying citizens of the District of Columbia voting representation on federal issues in both houses of the U.S. Congress;

Whereas, the people of the District of Columbia pay more than three billion dollars in annual income taxes to the Federal Treasury—more, per capita, than the residents of all but one state;

Whereas, the people of the District of Columbia, per capita, have fought in more wars to protect the liberties and rights of all American people and democracies around the world than any other state;

Whereas, the District of Columbia is the only U.S. jurisdiction not permitted to spend its own local tax dollars without approval by Congress;

Whereas, the people of the District of Columbia serve on federal juries;

Whereas, the people of the District of Columbia are subject to the rule of law of the United States;

Whereas, the people of the District of Columbia are the only Americans who still bear all of the responsibilities of citizenship, but who do not enjoy all of the rights of citizenship, including local sovereignty and representation in both houses of Congress, making the District, in effect, a colony under Congressional jurisdiction; and

Whereas, statehood will ensure that residents of the District of Columbia enjoy full sovereign rights in local matters and voting representation in both houses of the U.S. Congress just as every other citizen of the United States of America, and is a matter of simple justice;

Therefore be it resolved that the members of the state legislature of ___________ (name state) support the attainment of statehood for the District of Columbia and will work with our colleagues in their respective states to petition Congress to use its powers under Article IV, Section 3 of the United States Constitution and admit the District of Columbia as the 51st State of the Union.

On the Passing of Former U.S. “Shadow” Representative Ray Browne

Raymond Browne, who served as the District of Columbia’s U.S. Shadow Representative from 2001-2007, passed away this weekend at the age of 71. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Barbara, and the rest of the Browne family.

Representative Browne was a tireless activist on behalf of winning congressional representation for the District, and his work for the city he loved will not be forgotten. Through his efforts, Representative Browne was able to secure resolutions in support of District representation from dozens of cities and states across the country – and by doing so educated thousands of elected officials about DC’s unique status. Much of the progress we’ve made on obtaining a vote in the House for the District can be directly tied back to his efforts.

While collecting signatures for my ballot petition in 2006, many people were sad to hear that Ray wasn’t running for reelection. They also reminded me that I would have big shoes to fill if I were to win the election. It seemed everywhere I went, people in every ward across the city had wonderful things to say about Representative Browne, and his work. The District is a better place because of his service.

Representative Browne was a mentor to me as I began my own tenure as DC’s Shadow Representative, and was always very generous with his time and advice. I’ve been proud to build upon the work he started, and I will continue to do so.

Representative Brown’s passing should remind all of us that no matter what challenges we face, we must not stop fighting until the District stands free and equal with the other states in our union.