Norton Hopes Ellington on DC Coin Helps Rescue DC From Government Town Image (6/19/08)

Norton Hopes Ellington on DC Coin Helps Rescue DC from Government Town Image

June 20, 2008

Washington, D.C. î º Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today she is delighted to learn that D.C. residents chose its native son, the musical genius, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington to be the official facefor the D.C. Coin. Based on a four week poll, District residents cast votes online, by mail and by telephone, with 36% for Ellington, 31%Benjamin Banneker and 30% Frederick Douglas, choices that the U.S. Mint said it would consider. Although Norton, Chairman Vincent C. Gray and Mayor Adrian A. Fenty worked together on the coin design, residents' preference was a major factor in deciding among the famous Americans submitted. Norton said she regretted that we were unable to convince the U.S. Mint to accept our slogan, Taxation Without Representation.

"The District is proud of all three of these great Americans, who spent considerable time in the District, but Ellington was the only one born and raised in this town. His talents, including his study of music, as well as his values were nurtured from the beginning of his life in the District of Columbia, until as a grown man, he pursued his star studded musical career throughout the world. Ellington was my favorite, particularly because for many years now, we in the city have been trying to reinvent its image from a "government town," rather than the hometown we are. Much of my work in the Congress centers on tourism, and how D.C. has become a city with some of the best theater, music and local sites in the country. Ellington sends a message that can help people think not only about official Washington or historic Washington, but about a different kind of town with homegrown residents who are making and have made important contributions."

Norton got the bill passed by the House in four consecutive sessions, but each time it stalled in the Senate until it was included in the omnibus appropriations bill last year, with critical assistance from D.C. appropriations chair Jose Serrano (D-NY).