The DC Voter
League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
Vol. 79, No. 4, April 2003

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The District of Columbia, as is every city and state in the nation, is facing budget frailties. Thus, the D.C. Mayor discussed the critical situation which he classified as "The Challenge, A Goal and The Options", with local citizens who were recently invited to give input and advice at a special presentation of the proposed budget for FY 2004. The briefing, prior to the formal presentation to the Council, alerted us to the critical decisions that must be made to remain solvent while focusing on the Mayor's priorities: Education, Public Safety and opportunities for all. 

The Mayor indicated that the national economic downturn is being caused by: declining revenues, unfunded mandates, (special education) and the threat of war. The Challenge is to focus our goals on continued service improvements and still balance our budget? The Mayor specified that the budget pressures of FY03 caused a revenue decline of $53 million and an increase of service needs of $27 million, are compatible with other jurisdictions. The FY04 budget of $3.8 million faces pressures of increased due to growth in special education, charter schools, health, increasing federal entitlement programs and addressing deferred investment in basic facilities, equipment and training.

The Goal is to have discussions with local residents, strategize the priorities, and focus on residential priories, i.e., children, adult education safety, housing job opportunities and health. OPTIONS: There are myriads. Some are Capital Project reductions, The Federal Fair Compensation Act "Tax Commuters," and a regional investment. In explaining where the expenditures "money goes," he said 44% goes to Human Support Services, 4% for Economic Development and Regulation, and 6% for Public Works. Some basic services are protected from cuts such as safety and health, police, fire, corrections, mental health and the elderly, road repaid and most recreation programs. Revenue increases will be an ongoing discussion, but some have been passed such as deed tax recordation, and transfer, property, sales and public utilities.

The timeline for decisions are: March 17 when the Mayor presents his proposal to the Council. March April are the budget hearing and votes on changes to balance FY03 budget. May - the Council votes on the FY04 budget. Maythe Mayor signs the budget into law. Many citizens gave input and suggestions on the presentation.

YOUR oversight at these hearings is essential because all of this impacts the D.C. citizen's quality of life. — E. Patricia Hallman, President

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SALUTE WITH A SNOW SHOVEL!

On February 27, Beaver Press couldn't navigate through the snow to make its usual Thursday night delivery of the VOTER, but it managed to deliver it at 12:30 pm Friday the 28th. A salute with a snow shovel to Jean Fleming, Ruth Allen, Sheila Keeny, and Hope Marindin, who reported to Frances Gemmill's house on February 28, to prepare the March Voter for mailing. If you haven't received your March Voter when you read this, please call me.

Barbara Luchs (363-0853), DC Voter Mailing Coordinator [Ed. Note: And what would we do without Barbara Luchs, who held the stalwart crew together, and delivered the VOTER to the Friendship Post Office on Monday, Mar. 3?]

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MEMBER NEWS

NEWS: As this issue goes to press, co-editor Frances Gemmill is recovery from surgery. She is progressing nicely and hopes to be back to her usual routine soon. She wishes to thank all for their good wishes.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: We welcome new member Dr. Sarah C. Gotbaum.

CONTRIBUTIONS: We gratefully thank and acknowledge contributions from our members: Suzanne Campagna, Jean Fleming (in memory of Jane Schwartz), Walter O. Jacobson.

CONDOLENCES: We are sad to report that Margaret (Peggy) Thompson has recently passed away.

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NEWS FROM THE UNITS

In light of the Annual Meeting to be held on April 24th, there will be no Unit meetings this month. Reports on activities of the March Units will be provided in the May issue of the DC Voter.

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"WHY PEOPLE DON'T VOTE"

A panel discussion entitled "Why People Don't Vote" will be presented on Saturday, April 19 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Washington Highlands Public Library, 115 Atlantic Street, SW. This event is sponsored by the by the Ward Eight Democrats. For more information contact Angela M. Copeland, Chair, Program Committee at 889-5631. — E. Patricia Hallman

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CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION

Three bills of the City Council have direct bearing on our lack of full voting representation in Congress. In two cases all 13 Council members have cosponsored. "The Commuter Tax Act of 2003" is one of the two. By the 1974 Home Rule Charter the District has been prohibited from levying such a tax. On April 15 a group of citizens will enter a suit in federal court to challenge the Constitutionality of the prohibition: no state nor other local jurisdiction has such a prohibition. If the proposed 2% tax on income earned by non-residents were in effect, the District would gain between $600,000,000 and $800,000,000 each year. Even with the $50,000,000 sales tax which comes to D.C. from non-residents, the financial difference is huge and would more than provide for the services currently being reviewed for elimination. The obvious argument is that it is our lack of equal voting rights with those of all other Americans that is causing this inequity.

The other bill with all 13 as co-sponsors is the "Presidential Primary Election Amendment Act of 2003". Over and over again emphasis was on our lack of full, voting rights. Several members acknowledged that the national parties would probably deny them seats at the nominating

conventions, but they were adamant in using this legislation as way of gaining national attention on our plight. Council Chair Cropp noted that D.C. residents pay $3,000,000,000 taxes per year, have suffered military war dead larger than several states, but have no vote in Congress.

Finally, a bill will require new hires by the District to be residents of D.C. 65% of those who are our teachers, firemen, police, maintenance people, etc. do not live here. Again we are the only jurisdiction is the country prohibited from having such a law: it is a Congressional mandate.

SUPPORT DC VOTING RIGHTS: Please join DC Vote on April 15th for the annual Democracy Day Rally. The rally this year will take place at Freedom Plaza at 5:00 pm and will top off a series of activities that will take place on this day. Come to support voting rights for the citizens of DC while listening to provocative speakers, great music and poetry. Freedom Plaza is located on Pennsylvania Ave, NW between 13th and 14th Streets and is accessible by Metro at Federal Triangle (Blue Line) or Metro Center (Red Line). For additional information call DC Vote at 462-2000. — Kathy Schmidt (237-5550), DC Vote Liaison

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AFRICAN SPECIALIST TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GHANA
IR COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 pm

Peter Pipim, Education Specialist at the National Museum of African Art, is a recipient of the "Unsung Hero Award" for his dedication and talent as a gifted educator in his role as Education Specialist at the National Museum of African Art. Audiences from across the United States have benefited from his extensive knowledge, unique perspectives and story telling abilities. Come hear Peter Pipim talk about politics and culture in a country that has the potential to be a model for all of Africa in the coming years. The intellectual, cultural, economic and political costs to Americans are great if we do not fully understand Africa and remain disengaged from a continent offering an abundance of human and natural resources.

Join us on April 22, 6:30 pm, at the Sumner School, 1201 17th Street, NW (Farragut North Metro) from 6:30-8 pm for this fascinating topic. For further information, please contact Anne Porowski at 3640557. — Anne Porowoski (364-0557) & Susan Rao (636-1688) Co-chairs

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GREAT DECISIONS

In-town Group

Moving ahead in our Great Decisions discussions, the In-town group will meet on April 9 when Janet Burmester will discuss chapter 5 international food wars; Suzette Klein will lead us in discussing Chapter 6, China in transition on April 30, the fifth Wednesday of the month. We meet from noon to 2 PM in the Rosalie Goodman Room at LWVUS, 1730 M St., NW, 10th floor; guests are welcome. For information contact Sheila Keeny (966-1692), Intown Great Decisions Coordinator.

Ingleside Group

On April 4, at 3:30 pm Talcott Seelye, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia and Syria will discuss recent developments in the Middle East including problems with U.S.-Saudi relationships. This meeting will be held at Ingleside Apartments Lounge, 3050 Military Rd., NW. For more information call Joan Wilson, (237-6264).

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VOTER SERVICES

DC LEAGUE TO HOST RECEPTION FOR NEW CITIZENS ON APRIL 8
All League Members Are Urged To Attend

On April 8, the DC League will be hosting a reception for new citizens following the monthly naturalization ceremony. We hope as many League members as possible will attend the ceremony in Courtroom 20 on the 6th floor of the U.S. District Courthouse at 3rd and Constitution Ave. NW.

If you have never attended a naturalization ceremony, you're in for a very impressive experience. Plan to arrive at Courtroom 20 by 9:45 a.m. For more information call Judy Smith. — Elinor Hart (387-2966) & Judy Smith (882-3021), Voter Services Co-chairs

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NATIONAL PROGRAM
UNITED NATIONS WRAP-UP

Enclosed as an insert to this DC Voter is the annual UN Wrap-up circulated to all Leagues by our UN observer Doris Schapira. As she explains, "The League of Women Voters has had official observers at the United Nations since the UN Charter Conference in 1945 when the League was invited to be a consultant to the US delegation ...The League has Special Consultative Status with The UN Economic and Social Council and has Associative Status with the UN Department of Public Information." Doris and her two alternates attend UN functions regularly and, like the rest of us, are following events in the Security Council closely. — Sheila Keeny (966-1692), 3rd Vice President- National Program

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Mark Your Calendar
LWV National Capital Area
Annual Convention
MAY 10, 2003 at 9:30AM
Marriott Metro Center Hotel
775 12th St. NW (12m &G Sts.)

Speaker
Kay Maxwell, LWVUS President
Breakfast $25
Registration Deadline: May 2nd
Call LWVDC office for registration form.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF MARCH 5 BOARD AND TRUSTEES MEETINGS

Chairman Hallman convened the meeting of the Education Fund Trustees at 10:00 am. During this meeting, 

1. The Trustees heard a report from Elinor Hart that the Board of Elections and Ethics (BoEE) must submit a reform plan to receive funds available from the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), by mid-June, the Trustees agreed that Elinor Hart will be LWVDC's representative to the committee advising the BoEE. 

2. After some discussion and expressions of concern as to the shortness of time remaining for planning the event, the Trustees approved a proposal by Linda Softli to continue working toward a major fund raising event to be held in the building owned by the National Council of Negro Women on May 20 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Several stellar personalities will be invited and recognized, especially DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. Regrets have been received from Donald Graham of The Washington Post.

3. The LWVDC Board of Directors heard a report from the Nominating Committee, a report on Program Planning, a proposed 2003-04 Budget, and a proposed by-laws change in preparation for the Annual Meeting to take place April 25. These items will be included in the March 21 mailing of the April DC Voter.

4. Joan Wilson, Children-at-Risk Committee, reported on a forum sponsored by the Fair Budget Coalition of the District of Columbia to provide information to prepare citizens as the District holds hearings and begins to prepare its FY 2004 budget. Each Board member received a Statement of Principle "A Balanced Approach to Balancing DC's Budget", along with a support sign-on sheet which citizens or organizations may present by March 10. See below for the Statement of Principle. — Frances Gemmill

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Fair Budget Coalition of the District Columbia -- March 2003
Statement of Principle
A BALANCED APPROACH TO BALANCING DC'S BUDGET

• Cities and states across the nation are facing their most serious budget problems in at least 50 years. Tremendous declines in tax collections, driven by rising unemployment and the collapse of the stock market, have created historically large state and local budget deficits.

• The District of Columbia has budget deficits totaling more than $500 million over the past year. To balance the budget, Mayor Williams and the DC Council made substantial spending cuts, particularly in services for low-income and other vulnerable populations, although some revenue increases also were adopted.
• Unfortunately, these actions were not sufficient to maintain a balanced budget. District officials recently announced a new $128 million shortfall for 2003 and a $131 million deficit for 2004, resulting mostly from continued economic weakness.

• In light of these findings, we urge Mayor Williams and the DC Council to follow these principles as they make critical budget decisions.

  • First, the District should tap into its substantial rainy day fund. Three-fourths of the states have used their rainy day funds in recent years, but DC has not. Using the rainy day fund would limit the need for painful sending cuts or tax increases at a time when economic conditions are already fragile. District officials should work with Congress to modify federal rules that make DC's rainy day fund the most restrictive in the nation.

  • Second, services for the most vulnerable DC residents -- low-income children, seniors, homeless, and people with disabilities -- should be protected. These groups already have borne more than their fair share of deficit reduction.

  • Third, DC officials should adopt a balanced approach to balancing the budget. In addition to using the rainy day fund, both program cuts and revenue increases should be considered. The burden of balancing the budget should be spread broadly."

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January 2003 Brown Bag Dialogue - The Human Genome

The small group of attendees braving the weather went back to school. Apart from visitors in health fields, none of us had received any education in biology in the truly modern era. We were addressed by George E. Bonney, PhD_ from the Howard University National Human Genome Center (NHGC) who serves as Professor, Department of Microbiology and Director, Statistical Genetics and Bioformatics. He was accompanied by two Research Associates: Dr. Meloney Levy, Director, Community Partnership Program and Ms. Charmaine McKie.

We did know that genetics addresses what is passed on within families since time began. The basic structure of a cell (having a nucleus and within it, chromosomes) was not unheard of; and we knew about X and Y chromosomes.

It was intriguing to have it confirmed that it was the male human who determines the sex of the offspring. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. The first 22 pairs are the same for both sexes (respectively, XX for females and YY for males). The twenty-third pair differs between the sexes. Females have two X's and can pass on only an X to offspring. Males have an X and a Y chromosome and can pass on either and thus determine sex. Whether that X or Y combines with a female X is controlling. This elicited comment about the gross misfortune that can befall females who do not produce male heirs in some cultures. There are four basis chemical units of genes (known by the letters C, G, T, and A) that appear on the chromosomes and determine the pattern of life. But life is more than identifying C, G, T and A. Critical is how the information is processed.

As may have been noted in media reports, the goal of the Human Genome Project (initiated by the U.S. Department of Energy and joined by the National Institutes of Health) is to map the human genome, namely determine the sequence of the basic chemical units (genes) on all the chromosomes. In humans there are over 3 billion, quite in contrast to genomes of simpler organisms which have been studied thoroughly such as the fruit, and have helped provide perspective for approaching the human genome. The completed sequence will be published by April or May 2003.

Satisfying curiosity, an abiding human trait, is one motivation for the basic research underway. Obviously, there are also other motivations, such as understanding what produces disease and medical conditions, which treatment is effective, and for whom. The genes may be known, but we need to understand where exactly they are located on the chromosomes, and precisely what is placed there. The prospects for variability are enormous.

For example, much of breast cancer research is focusing on chromosome no. 17. At Howard, there is a tumor registry of samples taken since the 2940's, but only since the 1970's have national standards for tumor registries been well established so that data used in ' research has become more reliable. Additionally, advances have been made in devising genetic markers to use in research. Howard University once could devise 40 genetic markers; it can now do 400.

Further, the prospects of turning off certain biological "switches" in hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the., -blood, could lead to neutralizing the painful effects of the sickle-cell anemia. There is also hope for understanding why responses to drugs vary among people. Having the 400 genetic markers, spanning the 23 chromosomes, is producing some signals about where to look for what causes Type II Diabetes (adult). Merely throwing federal money at a problem overlooks the need to get interim results and verify the wisdom: choices being pursued. But spending how much for what comprise major policy choices. So too are issues related to ethical choices, such as which disease or condition will receive priority, and how information gathered at the individual level will be used, released. At a future time NHGC representatives would be glad help explore issues of policy. This session served well to provide grounding in some basics. — Barbara Yeomans

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EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Education Committee has examined the many variations of schools throughout the nation. Successful schools are increasing in number. This is especially true of charter schools whose graduates are admitted to college and in some instances given scholarships.

Vouchers are given popular support. The Committee plans to make a study with emphasis on the type of schools that benefit from vouchers.

Budget adjustments are the activity of current officials who do not share the reasons for many of the adjustments. The results are programs: programs cannot be established. The No Child Left Behind Program in the District has yet to receive funds in order to write the needed plans. — Gladys Weaver (554-3055) Constance Tate (882-0387), Co chairs.

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CALENDAR — APRIL 2003

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Prize Raffle

• run errands or teach a "how to" class

• provide computer training

• do gardening or arrange flowers

• give someone a perm or manicure 

• other?

• scrumptious dessert or casserole that everyone loves to eat

• do you paint, make pottery, crochet, knit, or sew? can you contribute a weekend at your vacation home?

• do you own a business that can contribute an item?

• other?

• sports or theatre tickets

• can you ask a favorite restaurant, boutique, hair salon/nail salon to for a gift certificate?

• other?

UN Wrap-Up 2002
Doris Schapira, LWVUS UN Observer

LWVUS President Kay Maxwell wrote a letter to President Bush prior to the decision to go to the UN, urging him to do just that. See the letter at http://interactive.lwv.org./News/News.cfm?ID=470&c=7 

As the New Year dawns, the US has now requested the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to appeal to the UN Security Council on the question of North Korea and nuclear arms. The end of the year saw the withdrawal of IAEA's inspectors from North Korea, which North Korea demanded, and a dismantling of IAEA's monitoring devices. (In order to assure the autonomy of a country, the UN cannot remain in a country against the country's wishes.) The IAEA is an autonomous organization under the United Nations established in 1957.

We hope that this new relationship between the US and the UN will continue. The LWVUS UN position states that the United Nations should be an important component of US foreign policy.

Children and Child Soldiers and Optional Protocols
League Observers Doris Schapira and Margery Cohen took part in the General Assembly Special Session on Children in New York, May 810, 2002 and in all the preparatory meetings previously held. Representing the League on the Steering Committee for the NGO Committee on UNICEF's Working Group on Girls, they are involved at the UN on issues affecting children. The result of the Special Session was that governments committed to hold themselves to timebound goals for children and for specific steps to achieve those goals. The four priority areas include health; quality education; protection against abuse, exploitation and violence; and combating HIV/AIDS. In a new outreach by the UN, the Special Session attendees included over 400 children. For more information, see the website of UNICEF at www.unicef.org and of the Working Group on Girls at www.girlsrights.org.

Near the end of 2002, the Secretary General issued a report in which he named the countries in which child soldiers have been used. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the involvement of children in armed conflict sets an age limit of 18 years for compulsory recruitment and direct participation in hostilities, and requires State parties to raise the minimum age for voluntary recruitment to at least 16. The US Government recently ratified this Optional Protocol and at the same time, also ratified the other Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography. The US has not as yet ratified the CRC itself.

International Criminal Court (ICC)
On April 11, 2002, a treaty event took place at the UN for the establishment of the International Criminal Court. At that time, 10 countries ratified the treaty bringing to 66 the number of ratifications of the treaty (60 ratifications were required.) This treaty establishes a permanent court to bring individuals to trial for crimes against humanity. League Observers Doris Schapira and Margery Cohen were present at this historic ceremony. On May 6, the Bush administration "unsigned" the treaty by stating that it did not intend to ratify it and was not obligated by its previous signature. (When governments sign a treaty, they are pledging that they will pursue ratification.) One of several ways a case can come before the court is by the recommendation of the Security Council on which the US has veto power, so it remains to be seen how this process will be affected by the US actions.

Refugees 
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported the return to Afghanistan of 2 million Afghans who had previously fled the country. The report added that about 4 million Afghans still remain abroad and that with a budget of $200 million it expects to help 1.5 million more return in 2003. With the return of the Afghan refugees in 2002, UNHCR is still assisting just fewer than 20 million refugees worldwide. The last of over 500,000 Rwandan refugees returned home from Tanzania at the end of 2002.

Peace Missions 
The UN maintained 15 peacekeeping operations and 13 political and peace-building missions in 2002. According to a UN report "as many as 90 UN Member States contributed uniformed personnel to these operations, which, as of November, saw some 44,000 military personnel and civilian police deployed in peacekeeping operations around the world. Working with these uniformed personnel were some 3,661 international and 7,962 local civilian staff. In the course of the year, 52 civilian and military personnel lost their lives while engaged in UN peace operations."

New Members of the United Nations in 2002 
Two more countries became UN members in 2002 bringing the total number of member countries to 191. Timor-Leste became a member of the UN following its independence. It was previously called East Timor and gained its independence following UN stewardship under a Transitional Administration. Switzerland also joined the UN as a member this year.

The United Nations Development Programme
Most League members are aware that the UN is more than the General Assembly, the Security Council, and peacekeepers. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a UN agency whose mission is to help countries to improve the lives of its people. In many countries, there is the need to provide clean water and sanitation facilities, access to health care (with HIV-AIDS and other life threatening diseases rampant), and to fight an uphill battle against poverty.

UNDP publishes the Human Development Report each year, which rates countries not by their GDP but by achievements in health, education, and other services it provides for its people. UNDP also has projects in many poor countries to help women to play a more equal role in their societies and to achieve political empowerment. For more information about UNDP, please see www.undp.org, 

UN Conferences 
League Observer Patty Day attended the Second World Assembly on Aging in Madrid, Spain, in April 2002. The Conference committed governments to act to meet the challenge of an aging population. Patty had also been involved in the preparatory meetings as the League's representative on the Sub Committee on Older Women.

Other important UN World Conferences this year included the "International Conference on Financing for Development" in Monterrey in March; the "World Food Summit: five years later" in Rome, Italy, in June; and the "World Summit on Sustainable Development" in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August and September.

Security Council
Colombia, Ireland, Mauritius, Norway and Singapore finished serving their 2-year terms as non-permanent members of the Security Council. Angola, Chile, Germany, Pakistan and Spain will replace them in 2003.

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
The League issued an action alert on The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) this year after the treaty, signed by President Carter, was sent by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the full Senate for a vote on ratification. Unfortunately, the Senate became preoccupied with Iraq and never took up the ratification of CEDAW. When the new Senate convenes, it will be back to the Foreign Relations Committee for this important treaty for women.

League UN Observers 
Doris Schapira, Patty Day and Margery Cohen continue to represent the League at the UN and within the NGO UN Community. Doris serves on the UNA-USA Council of Organizations New York Board. Patty serves on the Department of Public Information - Non Governmental Organization Executive Committee and on the committees working on the issues of older persons. She is on the Board of the NGO Committee on Aging. Doris and Margery serve on the Steering Committee of the NGO Committee on UNICEF's Working Group on Girls. The observers are also members of other NGO Committees.

What Can League Members Do
League members should continue to follow these rapidly developing issues and help to inform the public.

January 7, 2003