On Emancipation Day, Norton Announces New Resolution Commemorating D.C. Statehood Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today, on Emancipation Day, announced a new resolution commemorating Emancipation Day and her District of Columbia statehood bill. Because the House was not in session today, Norton will introduce the resolution tomorrow, April 17, when the House will be in session, allowing for introduction.

Emancipation Day is an official holiday in D.C. honoring the day in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln freed 3,100 slaves in the District, nine months ahead of the Emancipation Proclamation.

"This is an unprecedented Emancipation Day," Norton said, "both, sadly, because we must forego our usual activities due toCOVID-19, but, joyfully, because we have more than enough cosponsors on our D.C. statehood bill to guarantee House passage this year. District residents were the first to be freed from slavery, but we are the last to enjoy our full rights and freedom as American citizens in our country. However, House passage of our D.C. statehood bill this year will be a big win to offset the setback that kept us from our usual celebration. Today, we commemorate 3,100 slaves who were emancipated, but this year, we will also be freeing ourselves with D.C. statehood."

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