Norton Thanks New Hampshire Representative for Statehood Resolution
Norton Thanks New Hampshire Representative for Statehood Resolution
June 9, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today expressed her gratitude to New Hampshire State Representative Cindy Rosenwald for introducing a resolution this week expressing support for admitting the District of Columbia as the nation's fifty-first state. Norton, who in the early 1990s got almost two-thirds of a heavily Democratic House to support her statehood bill, said that the resolution, requested by D.C. Councilmember David Catania (At-Large), shows the important purpose of laying down a marker of determination to fight until statehood is achieved.
In her letter to Representative Rosenwald, Norton wrote, "Your resolution comes at a time when Republicans in the U.S. House have made inroads into the District's home-rule status by imposing pet projects on D.C. We particularly appreciate the section in your resolution that declares support for full democracy for the citizens of the District of Columbia. Your resolution reminds our residents and other Americans that only statehood can prevent the Congress from interfering with the District's local affairs, and only statehood can give D.C. residents the equal status they deserve."
Rosenwald's full resolution follows.
HR ## - ASINTRODUCED
2011 SESSION
HOUSE RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION expressingsupportforadmitting the District of Columbia as the fifty-first State of theUnited States of America.
SPONSORS: COMMITTEE:
ANALYSIS
Thisresolution expressessupportforadmitting the District of Columbiaas the fifty-first State of theUnited States of America.
STATEOFNEWHAMPSHIRE
In theYear of OurLordTwoThousandEleven
A RESOLUTION expressingsupportforadmitting the District of Columbia as the fifty-first State of theUnited States of America.
Whereas, over600,000citizens of theDistrict of Columbiapay taxes to the federal governmentbut are deniedvotingrepresentationin theCongress of theUnited States;and
Whereas, over192,000citizens of theDistrict of Columbia havefoughtin our armed forcesinservice to our nation;and
Whereas, theFederalGovernment hasseenfit to senditsarmed forces,
among them District of Columbiacitizens, to fight on foreignsoilinsupport
and defense of democraticidealswhiledenying theresidents of our own nationalcapital the right of legislativerepresentation;and
Whereas, those efforts to spreadlibertyand democracy to the far corners of theglobeare underminedand diminishedby thedenial of democraticrights to over600,000 citizens of theUnited States of America;and
Whereas eightservice membersfrom theDistrict of Columbia havelost their livesin theconflictsinIraq and Afghanistan;and
Whereas, theUnited Statesis the only nationin theworldwith a representative,democraticconstitution thatdeniesvoting representationin the nationallegislature to the citizens of the capital;and
Whereas,theDistrict of Columbiais the only politicalandgeographical entity within theUnited Stateswhosecitizensbear the full responsibilities of citizenshipwithoutsharingin theappropriateprivileges of citizenship;and
Whereas, thisbody is ashining example of representationaldemocracy; now, therefore,be it
Resolvedby the House of Representatives:
That theNewHampshireHouse of Representativesdeclaresitssupportfor admitting the District of Columbiaas the fifty-first State of the United States of America;and
That theNewHampshireHouse of Representativesformally declaresits supportfor full representativedemocracyfor thecitizens of theDistrict of Columbia;and
That the houseclerktransmitcopies of thisresolution to thePresident of the United States of America, the Speaker of theUnited StatesHouse of Representatives, the MajorityLeader of theUnited States Senate, the Mayor of theDistrict of Columbia,and the Chairman of the Council of theDistrict of Columbia,so that they maybe apprised of the sentiments of the NewHampshireHouse of Representatives on this matter.