The DC Voter
League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
Vol. 77, No. 11, November 2001

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

We have been living our motto "Making Our Votes Count - Making Our Voices Heard" at the national and local level. LWVUS President Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins was one of ten moderators across the country at a national Town Hall Meeting simulcast on the Internet featuring United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, at which the role of the UN in combating international terrorism was discussed. LWV was a national co-sponsor of the event, along with the United Nations Association of the USA and the UN Foundation. The Town Hall Meeting was held in ten cities and was simulcast live by satellite from New York. Mr. Walter Cronkite was the national moderator in New York. The IR Committee will present a video of this event at their November 9 meeting (see below).

On the local front, we recently testified before the D.C. City Council in support of the local selection/election by our local officials of an Attorney General and selection of local judges.

On another note, there is an ongoing discussion throughout the League on the status and purpose and function of the Units. We will attempt to enter into the dialogue and share with you, in the coming months, our "definition/understanding" of how Units should function.

Our membership has increased by twenty-eight members, primarily through the increase at the Ingleside Residential Home, at which members from other local areas now reside. The Chevy Chase Unit will join with Ingleside to form a new Unit. An evening unit will start meeting November 15 at Sumner School. — E. Patricia Hallman, President

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PLAN TO ATTEND
BROWN BAG DIALOGUE SERIES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19
11:30 AM
1730 M STREET, NW SUITE 1000

TOPIC

"Regional Transportation Funding Crisis"
(See enclosed flyer)

Rescheduled due to building power outage last month.

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NEWS FROM THE UNITS

NOVEMBER UNIT MEETINGS SCHEDULE 

Topic: Voters Service

Southwest Unit, 9:45 a.m., Hostess: Leona Rumsey, 550 N St., SW, #S202, 863-7484
Northwest Day Unit, 12:45 p.m., Location: Iona Senior Services, 4125 Albemarle St., NW, Co-Chairs: June Bashkin, 347-0949; Barbara Kemp, 362-4529

Wednesday, November 14

Upper Sixteenth Street Unit, 9:45 a.m., Hostess: Kathryn Schmidt, 3601 Connecticut Ave., #418 NW, 237-5550

Thursday, November 15

Chevy Chase/Ingleside Unit, 10:00 a.m., Hostess/Chair: Joan Wilson, 3050 Military Road, NW (Ingleside Apartments), 237-6264 (call Chair for transit/ parking information)
The Evening Unit, 6:00 p.m. (note time change), Hostess/Chair: Joan Domike,  The Sumner School, 1201 Seventeenth Street, NW, Gallery G-3, 966-3865 (see article above)

LWVDC RECEIVES RECOGNITION FOR VOTER OUTREACH

On Saturday, October 27th, the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area awarded the DC League for its outreach to new citizens. Each month, the DC League provides the new citizen with voter registration forms and information at a reception following the their swearing-in ceremony. During election years, these new citizens are mailed the Voters Guide that is published by the League. Elinor Hart accepted the award for the League. Congratulations to the Voters Service Committee.

The Saturday event "United Nations Global Community Day" was a celebration of the U.N.'s 56th Anniversary.

MEMBER NEWS

With sadness we report the September 21, 2001, death of long-time League member Edith M. Lesser. She was active in the DC League as well as the National League. In the 1960's she was active in the administrative work for the Overseas Education Fund of LWVUS. Mrs. Lesser is survived by her husband, Dr. Arthur J. Lesser as well as a son and daughter, four grandchildren, and a sister. DC Leaguer's remembering Edith: "Edith worked hard with the League and the Home Rule Committee back in the 1950's and 1960's when I was active. She was one of the last of that period still alive along with me, and her passing is a kind of milestone," writes former President, Jane K. Schwartz.

New Members: It is our delight to welcome the following new members: Ruth B. Allen, Nancy S. & Thompson R. Buchanan, Marsha Crossley Cromwell& Paul S. Cromwell, Ms. Rosemary Donnelley, Mr. Leslie W. Dunbar & Mrs. Peggy R. Dunbar, Dr. George Gill & Mrs. Karyn Gill, Dixie Lee Falvey, Page & Gordon Hawk, Mrs. Marjorie W. Levenson, Mrs. Yvonne J. Marshall, Ms. Abigail C. Nichols & Mr. Carl W. Nelson, Ms. Mary C. Smith, Vivian M. Thompson, and Ms. Helen B. Wolcott.

Contributions: We gratefully thank the following members for additional contributions received to sustain the DC League's programs: James Joseph, Barbara Luchs and Inez P. Wheeler. In memory of Edith M. Lesser, we received contributions from Mrs. Robert L. Farr, Dr. Janice H. Hopper, Clara G. Schiffer, and Jane K. Schwartz.

CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION: HELP DC VOTE WIN THE RIGHT TO VOTE

Four committees--communication, development, outreach, and public policy--have been formed. More volunteers are needed for each of them and to do data entry of petition signers. Volunteers have circulated petitions at Adams Morgan Day and at the Black Family Reunion. These will be added to the database. Another way you might help is by sending a contribution to 1500 U St., NW, Washington, DC 20009. Full voting representation in Congress will come. The question is when. The more help there is, the sooner the victory will come.

If you can contribute your time and skills, call the DC VOTE office, 462-6000. — Kathy Schmidt, Liaison (232-6460)

AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE

By the time this VOTER reaches your home, the Affordable Housing Committee will have conducted five Unit meetings where over 90 postcards were written and mailed to Council members urging immediate action on the housing legislation. And, as this issue goes to press, we have been advised that Councilmembers Evans and Brazil sent a combined housing legislation bill to the Mayor and that this bill will be available to the public on Friday, October 26, 2001.

Council members are listening and realize the need to move swiftly if housing initiatives are to be included in the FY 2003 budget. Productive meetings have been held with Linda Cropp, Council Chair, and Council members Kathy Patterson, Phil Mendelson, Jim Graham, Adrian Fenty, Sharon Ambrose and Willie Lynch, Jr., Kevin Chavous' chief of staff. Meetings in the pipeline include David Catania, Carol Schwartz, Sandy Allen and Vincent Orange. We keep in touch on a regular basis with Jeff Coudriet, Jack Evans' committee clerk, and Barry Kriesworth, administrative assistant for Harold Brazil, the Council members in whose committee the housing legislation rests. We also spent an hour with Stan Jackson, the new director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, urging completion of the comprehensive housing plan for the District.

Over 60 percent of families of four in the District earn less than $50,000 annually. The Housing Production Trust Fund, as originally conceived, is the ONLY measure in the bills aimed at low-income families and renters. We are please to see that a new draft of the bill will be available October 26th, and we urge public hearings to be held as soon as possible when we shall call upon League members to lobby. — Liz Martin (537-3043) and Julia Cuniberti (3 87-0122), CoChairs.

INCOME & POVERTY IN THE DISTRICT

The D.C. Fiscal Policy institute has issued an analysis of Census Bureau figures on income and poverty in the District that were released September 25, 2001. The analysis finds that poverty fell substantially in the District between 1997 and 2000 and that median income rose at a steady rate. At the same time, poverty in the District remains high, incomes in the city are well below those in the surrounding suburban areas, and events in 2001 - the economic slowdown and the terrorist attack on the Pentagon - suggest that the situation has worsened since the Census data were collected. You can view the analysis at www.dcfpi.org. — Joan Domike, Co-chair, Children At Risk Committee (966-3865)

TESTIMONY OF E. PATRICIA HALLMAN, PRESIDENT, LWVDC

"Chairman Cropp and Members of the Council in the Committee of the Whole: The D.C. League of Women Voters is pleased to join in presenting testimony today on the two important matters before us. We strongly endorse the basic principle underlying both proposals, namely, local control over local matters.

"The Office of Attorney General as crafted in PR 14-34 is powerful. Nonetheless, in our view, the draft proposal provides adequate protection for the federal interest. We agree with the requirements for the Attorney General's being a qualified elector, a D.C. resident for at least one year, and maintaining good standing before the District of Columbia bar. Legal expertise is, of course, an essential requirement. So, too, is managerial capability. The proposed office, in addition to having new positions, will take over the current Office of Corporation Counsel. We understand that the Corporation Counsel currently is responsible for overseeing a staff of 225 lawyers and 288 support staff, including paralegals and investigators. The incumbent directs a $48 million operation (annual basis). With such legal as well as managerial requirements, we understand why many state jurisdictions have decided to have appointed attorneys general. On the other hand, we recognize that many states have chosen to have elected attorneys general, the approach called for in the draft measure. On balance we could support either approach; we see advantages and disadvantages in each. The essential point is establishment of local control over matters in connection with local civil and criminal justice and law enforcement.

"Additionally, we support restoration of local selection of judges, through Mayoral appointment and with consent of the Council. This again reflects our fundamental principle of local control over local matters. Further, we support the approach for Mayoral, rather than Presidential, appointment to the Judicial Nominating Commission. We also support the vesting of the control of the administration, budget and financing of the local District of Columbia courts in the District Government. This, of course, poses consequences for the District's budget. Nonetheless, the fundamental principle entailed warrants the course of action proposed.

MEET AND GREET SOCIALS

Several Meet and Greet Socials were held in September in different areas of the city. The purpose of the socials was to offer members in those areas a chance to meet each other, find out what they wish the League would do, garner new members and indicate how they want to participate in the League. Some of the Units hosted the socials and offered wonderful refreshments.

Over 40 attendees, members and guests from five sections of the city gathered. The members brought in some interested persons who signed on as new members, offered suggestions as to what the League could do, asked questions about the League and indicated where they would be willing to serve.

Many were pleased with the idea of the socials and indicated that they would be held more often, and discussed local issues pertaining to their neighborhoods. In reply to our question "what they would like the League to do?" we received many questions, statements, and ideas in the following areas: Voter Service and Voter Education; How the Unit System is structured and how it works; The need to take action on issues; and Suggestions for outreach and education. These will be presented to appropriate Board members and Committee Chairs for review and response.

LWVUS
ELECTION REFORM 2001
Symposium

Analysis and Future Action

National Press Club
529 14th Street NW

November 9, 2001
9:30 am - 11:30 pm

For information call 429-1965

CHILDREN AT RISK COMMITTEE

The committee met October 13, 2001 to develop an agenda for the year. The complexity of the issues, the multiplicity of organizations involved, and the shift of funding to security programs from already threatened budgets were discussed as compelling reasons for the League to keep focused on children's needs.

The shortage of shelter space and the approach of winter makes the situation of homeless children a prime concern. The Committee will collect information on the crisis to develop some proposals for League testimony at budget time.

Meanwhile, the Committee has generated two letters, one commending the school system for adopting after-school programming for all schools in the District, and another to the Department of Health, urging the hiring of a sufficient number of lead inspectors to cover pending inspection requests for family-child care sites.

The Committee will follow the fate of the Act to Leave No Child Behind (S.940 and H.R. 1990) introduced by Senator Dodd and Representative George Miller on May 23, 2001. This legislation embodies a comprehensive policy agenda developed by the Children's Defense Fund. Proposed federal actions deal with health, safe environments, supports for parents, child care and Head Start, public education, economic support for low income families (child care subsidies, tax credits, increase in minimum wage, improved unemployment pay, among other measures), nutrition, housing, child welfare, after-school programming, juvenile justice, and gun safety. The impact of September 11th dims the prospect for this legislation.

Committee members have attended meetings with staff of DC Action for Children, the Fair Budget Coalition, the Washington Child Development Center, the D.C. Mental Health Association, and a workshop on Infants and Toddlers at the National Academy of Science.

Any member interested in joining Children at Risk (Committee) will be welcomed. — Joan Wilson (237-6264) and Joan Domike (966-3865) Co-Chairs.

JUNE DUKE LEAVES POSITION

A faithful volunteer for over six years, June Duke moved on to other activities at the end of August. For a couple of hours two mornings a week, the League office could count on June to come in to answer the phone, do mailings, copying, sending out renewal notices, typing thank you letters, and much more. Her cheerful countenance and faithfulness to the League have been sorely missed. She was presented a remembrance book signed by League members attending the Fall Luncheon, a Certificate of Appreciation & a gift certificate for her service to the League. The DC League is looking for another faithful volunteer — could you be that person?

VOTERS SERVICE COMMITTEE:
PROMISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING VOTER PARTICIPATION

The very good news is that the League is not alone in its efforts to improve voter education and participation. Guy Coriden and Elinor Hart are representing the League in the Voting Systems Project being spearheaded by the DC Appleseed Center. They are working with a group of attorneys and civic leaders to explore the proposed voting legislation described in the last DC VOTER and to look at plans for educating DC voters about the new voting machines. This project should prove very helpful in advocating for more effective voter education efforts on the part of the District Government.

American University's law school also has a project headed by Jamin Raskin that has a civic education component. During the 2000 election year, for example, Elinor, in response to Professor Raskin's request, explained DC's voting registration policies and procedures to AU law students and helped the students find appropriate times and locations to do registration. The AU Law School now has a program that brings law students into 19 high schools where they teach about constitutional and voting rights. Elaine Melmed and Elinor Hart are exploring possibilities for collaboration between the League and AU's law school. — Guy Coriden (232-6759) and Elinor Hart (387-2966), Co Chairs.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE:
Support DC Schools When you Buy Groceries

Help a school earn free education equipment by enrolling your Safeway or Giant Club card with the school of your choice, and your purchases total will automatically be credited to that school. Double credits will be given to all Safeway select items you purchase.

To enroll on-line, just log on to the web sites of either Safeway (www.proghqtrs.com/safeway) or Giant (www.giantfood.com). Or, you can enroll at the store where you shop.

We are asking you to support Jefferson Jr. H.S. for this 2001-2002 school year. The code numbers for Jefferson Jr. High are:

Giant 000263
Safeway 0302

Even if you participated in this program in a previous year, you must register again for this year. — Constance Tate (882-0387) and Gladys Weaver (554-3055), Co-Chairs

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

LWVUS Cosponsors National Town Hall Meeting featuring Kofi Annan: On October l1, one month after the acts of catastrophic terrorism at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was the featured speaker at a National Town Hall Meeting held to discuss the role of the United Nations in the global fight against terrorism. Also on the program in New York were Moderator Walter Cronkite; and, in Denver, LWVUS President Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, who was one of ten moderators of discussion groups in cities across the nation. The event was simulcast live by satellite and seen in DC by a group assembled by the Better World Campaign, primary sponsor of the project. Other sponsors included the LWVUS, the United Nations Association, and the United Nations Foundation. I was privileged to be one of the viewers of the 35 minute interview with Secretary Annan, which was guided by Mr. Cronkite who was in turn joined by Dr. Jenkins and the other regional moderators.

IR Committee to Show Video at Open Meeting: A video of the event will be shown at an open meeting of the IR Committee, which will be held from 12:30-2 pm on Friday. November 9, at the LWVUS Headquarters, 1730 M St. NW, in the Rosalie Goodman Room. All Leaguers are invited. Since the video lasts only 35 minutes, there will be ample opportunity to discuss the many issues raised about the future role of the UN in view of the totally new threats to world security. The video is also available for use by the Units at their Units Choice meetings in December; it would provide authoritative background for a discussion by Unit members of some of the issues we now confront, most of which were quite unexpected back in June 2000 when the LWV Convention agreed to restudy the League's position on the UN. Unit members are encouraged to discuss this opportunity at their November Unit meetings. — Sheila Keeny, Co-Chair, IR Committees

HIGHLIGHTS OF OCTOBER LWVDC BOARD MEETING

The October 3, 2001 LWVDC Board met in the LWVUS Board room at 1730 M St., NW. President Hallman called the meeting to order at 10:00 am.

Chris Matthews, Treasurer, reported that Sue Swisher of the Arlington League audited our books this year for no fee; furthermore, Sue offered to help us design a better bookkeeping system. Naomi Glass moved, and the Board voted, to send a $100 contribution to the Arlington League honoring Sue.

Pat Hallman reported a notice from management that the Woodward Building (where we rent office space) will be renovated starting in 2003.

Anna Marsh confirmed plans for the Brown Bag luncheon on Monday October 22, to focus on the regional transportation funding crisis.

Natalie Howard and Naomi Glass reported on the CareFirst/Blue Cross coalition joined by DCLWV (as approved at the Sept. Board meeting) to monitor plans for the conversion of CareFirst/BCBS to for-profit status. It is likely that the coalition will either oppose the conversion, or suggest conditions for transfer of funds in connection with the conversion. The coalition has hired Walter Smith as its staff, 'and is asking for a contribution. The Board approved a motion that LWVDC contribute $100 to the coalition.

Reggie Yancey circulated a draft of a new brochure to inform public and private groups or organizations of the services LWVDC is able to provide to conduct or monitor private elections. The Board approved, and the brochure will be prepared and reproduced in the office.

Janet Burmester reported for Sheila Keeny on IR Committee activities. She reminded us that Global Community Day, cosponsored by LWV and the United Nations Association (UNA) will take place on October 27t". For that event, the UNA asks us to name a program for recognition. It was agreed that our participation in the ceremonies to welcome new citizens merits commendation.

Kathy Schmidt reported for DC VOTE that it has a Speakers' Bureau ready to go, and that it looks like Congressional hearings won't be held before late spring. — Frances Gemmill (362-6784)

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

• Spend an hour or two observing budget deliberations at the City Council 
• Volunteer as membership chair for your unit 
• Join the Children at Risk Committee 
• Attend a Unit on Voters Service ... and get involved 
• Attend the December 4 symposium on regional transportation

Call the League office 3473020.

HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE LEARNS OF PROPOSED HEALTH CARE REFORM

The DCPCA also sponsors the Health Justice League DC and the Health Justice Cafe, a program to inform you about health care issues, on District Cable Channel 5 or Starpower Channel 10, on Monday at 11:30 am, Wednesday at 7:30 pm, and Friday at 11:30 am.

FALL LUNCHEON KICKS OFF LEAGUE YEAR

Our luncheon speakers were Elinor R. Bacon, President and CEO of the National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC), and Nancy Tate, LWVUS Executive Director. A moment of silence was observed in respect to losses to our country in the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

Ms. Bacon began her NCRC duties in January 2001. She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Housing Investments, HUD; and as a private real-estate developer in Baltimore with focus on affordable housing, historic preservation, and development-management of public purpose urban projects. 

The NCRC is an entrepreneurial real estate development company, authorized to acquire and assemble parcels of land for development, issue bonds, and enter into partnerships with private industry to bring prosperity to some of the District's most underserved neighborhoods. Its Board meetings are held in various communities, and they are open to the public. Although, NCRC is supported by some public funds as well as some Fannie Mae financial instruments, it needs to earn its keep; thus, decisions are made on a business basis. Ms. Bacon is supported by 10 professional staffers. One, Simone Goring, accompanied Ms. Bacon at the luncheon; she is focused on Georgia Avenue, Columbia Heights, and Howard University areas. 

The NCRC has been given the responsibilities of the old Redevelopment Land Agency, and it will soon acquire its assets. The agency has the power of eminent domain, and it works closely with the D.C. Office of Planning and Deputy Mayor Eric Price. The criteria for selecting and defining projects are still being developed. The NCRC is open to community ideas, and its Board meetings are open to the public. 

Ms. Nancy Tate, LWVUS Executive Director, said activities at LWVUS headquarters have refocused as Congress reorders its priorities, following the events of September 11. The crisis has demonstrated to the public the importance of government and how to engage with the government. 

Voting is basic. More than 700 Leagues are currently involved in the LWV DNet for elections across the nation. The election survey has yielded 450 returns, which will be analyzed and reported to members. Ms Tate and staff are currently in the process of comparing three Election Reform reports, which will be posted on the web. These are: (1) the national Federal Election Reform report, (2) the constitutional project, and (3) the Cal Tech-MIT report. — Barbara Yeomans, 3rd Vice President 

CALENDAR — NOVEMBER 2001

LWVDC Brown Bag Dialogue Series

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING CRISIS

Panel of Speakers
Citizen's Advisory Committee

Bob Chase, Chair, Citizen's Advisory Committee of the Transportation Planning Board
Stephen Calfisch, Member of Citizen's Advisory Committee
Brenda Lee Richardson, Vice President; Citizen's Advisory Committee

Moderator: D.C. Council Member Phil Mendelson

MONDAY NOVEMBER 19th
11:30 am-1:30 pm
1730 M Street NW Suite 1000

Bring Your Lunch, Your Questions And A Friend!

Co hosted by
Council of Governments (COG)
Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC)
of the Transportation Planning Board (TPB)
and LWVDC

**Rescheduled from October 22nd cancellation due to building power outage.

For Further Information Call 202 347-3020
League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
73315th Street, NW, Suite 432, Washington, DC 20005-6020

HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER AS A REGION TO SOLVE OUR TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS?

Last year, the Transportation Planning Board estimated that the Washington region needs an increase of more than 50 percent in funding for transit and highways. If new funding is not provided, the majority of the region's major highways will be stop-and-go throughout the day by 2025 and public transit will be unable to handle all of its potential new riders.

The panelists at the brownbag session will discuss some key questions: Are we really facing a regional transportation crisis? Is lack of funding a fundamental cause of that problem, and, if so, what can be done about it? Why should individual jurisdictions care about the transportation needs of other localities? Is there anything that concerned citizens can do to help solve our transportation problems?

The session will be moderated by D.C. Council member and Transportation Planning Board Vice Chairman Phil Mendelson. The three panelists are:

• Bob Chase, who chairs the CAC. Mr. Chase is with the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, a business-citizen coalition promoting regional transportation solutions.
• Stephen Caflisch, past co-chair of the CAC. Mr. Caflisch is with the Montgomery County Group of the Sierra Club.
• Brenda Lee Richardson, CAC vice chair. Ms. Richardson is founder of Women Like Us and is a long-time community organizer in the District of Columbia.

The Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) is a group of 15 people from throughout the Washington metropolitan region who represent diverse viewpoints on longterm transportation policy. The TPB is the arm of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments that coordinates transportation planning for the entire metropolitan Washington region. The TPB includes elected local officials, representatives from the state and District transportation agencies, representation from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (Metro), representatives from the state legislatures, and other key officials. TPB staffing is provided by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).