Norton Has Good Conversations with Senators on New Beginnings Juvenile Facility

Norton Has Good Conversations with Senators on New Beginnings Juvenile Facility

December 10, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said she had a very good conversation with both Senators Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) and Carl Levin (D-MI), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, after learning of Cardin's proposed amendment to the defense authorization bill to move the District's New Beginnings Youth Development Center, which is barely two years old and located on District land in Laurel, Maryland, to the Walter Reed Medical Center site. Following her conversation with Cardin, Norton is confident that she and Cardin, who is Norton's good friend, and former colleague, as well as a good friend of the District's, are in the process of addressing the matter. "I told Ben that I fully appreciate his concerns, and I believe he fully appreciates ours," said Norton.

The Congresswoman also has contacted Mayor-elect Vincent Gray to schedule an early meeting between Gray and Cardin after Gray assumes office. Norton and Levin had a helpful discussion on the status of the bill, and has been in touch with relevant House Armed Services committee members regarding this issue.

It was not clear why New Beginnings arose now. There have been no new escapes of juveniles from the facility since steps were taken to tighten its security after some youth escaped and were quickly caught soon after the facility opened in 2008.

Particularly considering that the defense authorization bill did not move forward yesterday, it would have been unlikely for a nongermane, local matter to pass in a defense bill. However, Norton took the Cardin amendment very seriously, despite the infeasibility of moving a recently built facility in the midst of a residential neighborhood in Ward 4, and the procedural difficulties confronting the amendment.

Nevertheless, the Congresswoman is moving to make sure that the District government develops better relations with Senator Cardin and the Maryland delegation.