Norton Continues Her Fight for Equal Treatment for D.C. with Request for Tree on Capitol Grounds in Recognition of D.C. Residents

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), as part of her effort to secure unequivocal equality for District of Columbia residents, who pay the highest federal taxes per capita, without a vote in Congress, released her letter to Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers requesting that a tree be planted on the Capitol grounds in recognition of the District. Norton said that more than 30 states have had trees planted on Capitol grounds, and that "it would be particularly appropriate for a tree to be planted to honor the city where 700,000 residents live in view of the nation's monuments."

In her letter, Norton wrote, "As you know, many Members have successfully requested trees be planted on Capitol grounds in honor of their home states, and certain cultural events and significant historical figures have also been celebrated through commemorative trees. I now ask that the District of Columbia, the nation's capital, be honored in this same way, with a species of poplar tree that is historically significant to this area."

Norton has successfully fought to correct many instances where D.C. residents were denied representation in fundamental symbols of American citizenship. A 2013 Norton bill placed a statue of Frederick Douglass in the Capitol to represent the District, making D.C. the only jurisdiction that is not a state with a statue in the Capitol. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 requires the armed services to display the District flag whenever the flags of the states are displayed. Legislation was also enacted to give D.C. a coin after it was omitted from legislation creating coins for the 50 states. Norton also successfully worked with the U.S. Postal Service to create a D.C. stamp, like the stamps for the 50 states, and worked with the National Park Service to add the D.C. flag alongside the state flags across from Union Station.

Norton's full letter is below.

The Honorable Stephen T. Ayers
Architect of the Capitol
U.S. Capitol, SB-15
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Ayers:

I am writing to request that a tree be planted on the Capitol grounds in recognition of the District of Columbia and the nearly 700,000 Americans who live here and have no voting representation in Congress. As you know, many Members have successfully requested trees be planted on Capitol grounds in honor of their home states, and certain cultural events and significant historical figures have also been celebrated through commemorative trees. I now ask that the District of Columbia, the nation's capital, be honored in this same way, with a species of poplar tree that is historically significant to this area.

My office has been in contact with the arborist at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, and they have agreed to donate a Tulip Poplar seedling that descends from one of the original Tulip Poplar trees that still grow there. This tree would have been a familiar sight to George Washington and other Founding Fathers in their lifetimes.

I look forward to working with you to have the District of Columbia commemorative tree approved and planted soon, hopefully in the upcoming spring months.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton