Norton Press Conference with D.C. Veterans, Without a Vote, as Debate on Syria Begins

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, at 10:00 a.m., Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will hold a press conference at the D.C. War Memorial with D.C. veterans and officials, just before congressional debate and voting begins on a military strike on Syria, on the injustice that D.C. servicemembers and residents at home, including veterans, once again face – they will have no vote on military action, despite meeting all the responsibilities of citizenship, because they live in the nation's capital.

WHO: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)
D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray
D.C. Veteran Herbert Tillery
D.C. Veteran James Rimensnyder
DC Vote Executive Director Kimberly Perry

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: Monday, September 9, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: D.C. War Memorial, located at 900 Independence Avenue SW
(Directly across from the MLK Memorial)

Background on the two veterans who will offer remarks at the press conference:

Herbert Tillery, currently the Executive Director of the College Success Foundation, was raised in the District, began his service as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1970, and served in the U.S. Army with distinction for over 26 years, retiring with the rank of Colonel. He served one tour in Korea and two tours in Germany. Among the many highlights of his military career is his service as a battalion commander, responsible for 1,500 soldiers stationed in U.S. Army Europe – Germany, in 1990, where he trained and sent troops from Germany to Iraq to participate in the first Gulf War. Tillery also has a son who is currently serving in the U.S. Army, who has had three back-to-back tours in Iraq, and is currently stationed in Germany.

James Rimensnyder, currently a D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer, was born and raised in the District and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Between 2005 and 2010, he served in Germany and Iraq, and was involved in combat operations as a tank platoon leader and intelligence officer in Iraq between 2006 and 2009. He left active duty in 2010 as a Captain.

Published: September 9, 2013