On Memorial Day, Norton Announces Resolution Honoring D.C. Servicemembers and Bill to Bolster Pro Bono Services for Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced two pieces of legislation in commemoration of Memorial Day. Norton will introduce a resolution honoring the sacrifices of District of Columbia servicemembers who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces without full and equal rights. Norton will also introduce a bill to allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide support to law school clinics that provide pro bono legal and support services to veterans, including assistance with disability claims and appeals and foreclosures.
"We can never forget our D.C. residents who died, served or are serving without the vote that sends Americans to war," Norton said. "One way to remember and honor them is to provide clinical programs with the resources to assist veterans that will result in faster processing of VA claims and quicker housing assistance to our veterans, who have repeatedly put their lives on the line for this country. Many law schools around the country are already providing low-cost, efficient assistance to veterans. We should be doing more to encourage these highly successful programs to relieve the enormous backlog of disability claims at the VA and homelessness among veterans."
Norton's full resolution honoring D.C. servicemembers is below.
RESOLUTION
Recognizing on May 28, 2018, Memorial Day, the denial of full voting rights in Congress for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia.
Whereas on the last Monday of May, our nation observes Memorial Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the men and women who died in the service of their country;
Whereas the service and sacrifice of active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families are unparalleled;
Whereas the civilian population of the United States has the honor and privilege of being protected by active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and reservists;
Whereas active duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans have risked life and limb to protect the American people and uphold the rights and freedoms of the people of the United States;
Whereas approximately 30,000 veterans are residents of the District of Columbia and lack full voting rights in Congress;
Whereas residents of the District of Columbia fought to create the United States, fighting for the Revolutionary War slogan of "no taxation without representation", and have served in every war since;
Whereas 635 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War I, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 3 different States during the War;
Whereas 3,575 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War II, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 4 different States during the War;
Whereas 547 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Korean War, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 8 different States during the War;
Whereas 243 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Vietnam War, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 10 different States during the War;
Whereas 192,406 District of Columbia residents have served in the military since World War I;
Whereas residents of the District of Columbia, including active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans, are denied full voting representation in the House of Representatives and the Senate; and
Whereas Congress should pass H.R. 1291 and S. 1278, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would grant full and equal voting representation as well as democratic control over local affairs to the District of Columbia by making it the 51st State and which has a record 159 cosponsors in the House and 24 in the Senate: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that, on May 28, 2018, Memorial Day, the House of Representatives recognizes the denial of full voting rights in Congress for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are District of Columbia residents.