To Mark Flag Day, Norton Celebrates Respect for D.C. Flag, Achieved Even Before Statehood
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recognition of Flag Day, Sunday June 14th, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) celebrated progress in gaining the same respect for the District of Columbia flag that state flags receive as an appropriate prelude to the vote on the House floor later this year on her D.C. statehood bill.
Even without statehood, Norton has made considerable progress in achieving equal treatment for D.C. with respect to flags. In February, the House Judiciary Committee passed Norton's bill adding the D.C. Mayor to the list of principals for whom the president can order the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff upon their death. Currently, governors of the states and territories are on the list. The National Park Service now flies the D.C. flag across from Union Station along with state flags. Norton got a bill enacted into law that requires the armed services to display the D.C. flag when state flags are displayed.
"Today, when Americans are demanding the removal of Confederate statues," Norton said, "Americans who reside in the nation's capital celebrate Flag Day because we have achieved equal treatment and recognition of the D.C. flag in our country. State flags give recognition to the importance of the state itself in the union. The D.C. flag demands no less."
Norton said that the importance of respecting the D.C. flag at the same level as state flags is particularly tied to military service by D.C. residents, who continue to fight and die for their country without equal congressional voting representation. She pointed to the service of District residents in every war, including the Revolutionary War, which created the nation itself. More than 5,000 D.C. residents have died in major wars since World War I. "Honoring the D.C. flag is an important way of honoring their sacrifices," Norton added.
This week, Norton also announced two new cosponsors for her D.C. statehood bill: Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI). The Senate and House D.C. statehood bills have a record number of cosponsors—36 and 224, respectively.
Yesterday, Norton introduced legislation, along with Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH), that would change the titles of officials in the D.C. government. Under this bill, the Mayor would become the Governor and the D.C. Council would become the Legislative Assembly. Norton said the D.C. government is already doing the work of a state government and should be recognized as such.
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