At our 83rd Annual Meeting held on April 24 at
Gallaudet University, the 60 some members attending adopted a proposed
budget for the coming League year, elected new officers and directors,
and applauded Pat Ha Hallman for her dedicated work as President during
the past two years.
They also approved the Board recommended program for
2003-2005, -- that all of our current positions be retained, and that an
update of our positions on Congressional voting rights be undertaken,
with particular attention to the various options for attaining
representation. Kathy Schmidt, who was a elected to a two-year term as
Director, agreed to continue her work for voting rights by chairing this
study.
Molly Raphael, Director and State Librarian for the
D.C. Public Libraries, gave a presentation which brought us up to date
on a subject dear to our hearts, but which we have not studied in recent
years. She described the current trend for public libraries to serve as
community centers - a place where people of all ages like to meet, to
work, to gather.
It's a privilege and opportunity to serve as your
President, remembering that in continuing this work together, we stand
on the shoulders of our predecessors -- from Carrie Chapman Catt to
Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins - from Miss Harlean James (1920) to E.
Patricia Hallman (2002), and also remembering that our predecessors were
never afraid to explore new ways to work together for the public good.
— Frances Gemmill, President
Back to top of page
As this voter goes to press, the May Units are
meeting to discuss "Children at Risk." Conclusions and
findings from the meetings will be provided in the next DC Voter.
Traditionally, June Units plan their own
"yearend" program activity at the May meeting. Contact the
Unit Chairs listed below for individual unit information for June
activities. Units begin again in October 2003 following the Fall Opening
Luncheon on September 18 that kicks off the League's 20032004 program
year.
Tuesday, June 24
9:45 am, Southwest Unit, Leona Rumsey 863-7484, Gladys Weaver 554-3055
12:45 pm Northwest Day Unit, June Bashkin 337-0949 & Barbara Kemp
362-4529
6:30pm, In-Town Evening Unit, Sheila Willet 347-3020
Wednesday, June 25
9:45 am, Upper 16th Street Unit, Paula McKann 829-0656, Constance Tate
882-0387
9:45 am, Chevy Chase/Ingleside Unit, Ruth Allen 362-8953, Leslie Dunbar
364-6457, Joan Wilson 237-6264
Thursday, June 26
7:30 pm, The Evening Unit, Joan Domike 966-3865
Back to top of page
Many Leaguers are coming into town for Council 2003
June 7-9 who will need housing. This is an opportunity for us AND YOU to
make some money as well as promote good will.
Of the $40 per room we charge ($60 couple), half goes
back to the hostess. As a hostess, you are asked to provide a private
bedroom, access to a bathroom, cold breakfast (with hot coffee or tea)
and some friendly conversation. Please contact Chris Matthews if you can
help at ChrisMatt@igc.org or
269-3890.
Back to top of page
INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS COMMITTEE JUNE 3, 2003
Former Presidential Adviser on HIV-AIDS
Sandra L. Thurman, President of the International
Aids Trust and former advisor to President Clinton on HIV-AIDS issues,
will speak at the June 3`d meeting of the IR Committee. Ms. Thurman is
one of the nation's foremost experts on HIV-AIDS, particularly as it
affects Africa. All League members and friends are invited to attend
this meeting, whether active IR Committee members or not.
The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the
Cleveland Park Library, First Floor Auditorium (Intersection of
Connecticut Ave. & Macomb St., NW). A Q&A session will follow
Ms. Thurman's remarks. If you have any questions, please contact Susan
Rao at susanrao@hotmail.com.
— Anne Porowski (364-0557) & Susan Rao (636-1688) Co chairs
Back to top of page
Intown Group
Great Decisions 2003 will conclude in June with a
meeting beginning at noon on Wednesday, June 11, when we will discuss
developments in Nigeria. Cecilie Jones will lead this discussion. The
group and other interested League members are invited to a final
get-together on Sunday, June 22 at 3 pm at the home of Sheila Keeny,
3600 Albemarle St., NW (966-1692). This extra meeting will permit us to
become updated on events transpiring since we discussed this year's
eight topics and to hear again from Helen Metz on one topic, the
situation in Saudi Arabia, where she lived for many years. If you think
you may be interested in Great Decisions 2004, join us. Sheila Keeny.
Ingleside Group
A June meeting is being planned to hear Ms. Kirstin
Haffert from the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
to speak on "Women's Political Participation." The date and
time is still to be determined. The location is 3050 Military Rd., NW.
Call Joan Wilson (237-6264) for more information.
Back to top of page
Council 2003: The LWVUS national Council, meeting in
odd years between national Conventions, will take place in DC on
Saturday, June 7 through Monday, June 9, at the Marriott Metro Center
Hotel. The board of each State League, including the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, chooses two delegates. Our
delegates, President Frances Gemmill and Vice President for National
Program Sheila Keeny will be joined by observer Madlyn Calbert, Vice
President for Local Program, and others. LWVDC members may wish to
attend the (open) Symposium on Presidential Selection (Monday, 11 -
12:30). The Symposium is open to any League member interested in the
Presidential Selection issue discussed below.
Update on Presidential Selection: Members attending
the last LWVUS Convention in 2002 identified the LWVUS position on
electing the president, last revised in 1982, as deserving an all-member
update. In focusing on this issue in earlier planning meetings, many
members apparently did not realize that the LWV supports direct election
of the President and favors abolishing the Electoral College. The
May-June National Voter (expected any time now) will carry an article
introducing this and other issues surrounding the election process; the
article will include an all-member survey that will help structure a
subsequent article containing a concurrence questionnaire. A committee
to work on this topic is being formed; current members include Naomi
Glass, Barbara Yeomans, Elinor Hart and Sheila Keeny. This Committee
would appreciate feedback from members - call or email Sheila Keeny (sskeeny@aol.com
or 966-1692) with your comments on the article and/or the survey and how
they contribute to your understanding of the electoral process and its
problems.
Other news from LWVUS - According to LWVUS executive
Director Nancy Tate, National expects to make increasing use of the
Internet to communicate not only with local Boards but also with
individual League members, including a monthly newsletter. — Sheila
Keeny (966-1692), 3rd Vice President, National Program
Back to top of page
Marriott at Metro Center (12th @ G Sts), Washington,
DC
LWV FIRST: Securing Our Future
Financial Sustainability
Impact on Issues
Revitalized Leagues
Strength in Diversity
Team Work and Tolerance
LWVDC Delegates and observers to the biennial LWVUS
Council of Leaders will have the opportunity to network with other
League officers and members across the nation as well as attend sessions
on Saturday and Sunday which include FY2004 LWVUS budget, nominating
committee report, current program and focus on membership; as well as an
interview with LWVUS President Kay Maxwell and Executive Director Nancy
Tate.
League members are invited to attend the sessions on
Monday, June 9 at no charge: Media Training (8:30-10:30am); Symposium on
LWVUS Update on Presidential Selection (11 am-12:30 pm); and one of five
Plenary sessions (1:30-3:00 pm). Session topics include: Global
Democracy Programs (both domestic & international); Judicial
Independence; Election Reform; and Technology; Development Strategies.
League members and their guests are invited to attend
the Sunday evening June 8th banquet that features U.S. Supreme Court
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as keynote speaker.
The Banquet cost is $40 per person. Reception/Cash
bar (6:30-7:30 pm) Banquet (7:30-9:30 pm.) To obtain a banquet ticket,
write a check made payable to LWVUS for $40/each person and send to
LWVUS, Attn: Natalie Testa, 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington,
DC 20036. —Natalie Testa (429-1965), LWVUS
Back to top of page
The Board welcomed three members who accepted
one-year appointments to serve at its May 7 meeting - Elizabeth Martin,
Linda Softli, and Reggie Yancey. Board members continuing, in the second
year of two year terms are Elaine Melmed, Judy Smith, and Joan Wilson.
Constance Tate and Gladys Weaver will continue as co-chairs of
Education. An updated handbook, with LWVDC Officers and Directors
2003-2004 will arrive in your September Voter.
Leaguers are invited to join the Board and committee
chairs at the home of Frances Gemmill on Saturday, June 21 from 10 am-3
pm for long range planning. — Frances Gemmill
Back to top of page
NEWS: LWVDC Board member Barbara Luchs was
honored May 1st at Iona Senior Services' Twentieth Annual Superior Day
sponsored by the Citizens Advisory Council of IONA as LWVDC's nominee.
Her many volunteer efforts on behalf of the League and other
organizations were cited in the award presentation. Two of her current
activities are organizing the monthly mailing of the League newsletter,
The DC Voter, and working as a volunteer for WAMU radio.
A recent telephone conversation with Gilda Varrati
revealed that she is well and living in a retirement community in Chapel
Hill, North Carolina, where she has joined a League group there and sent
a number of "peace postcards" to her Member of Congress. A
long-time federal government employee, Gilda was a member of the U.S.
Mission to the UN under Ambassador Andrew Young; following her
retirement, she was an active member of the IR Committee and the
Southwest Unit. [Editors Note: We are pleased to see that our report of
Gilda's recent death was incorrect and wish her many happy productive
years in her home in Chapel Hill.]
CONTRIBUTIONS: We gratefully acknowledge and
thank the following for their contributions to the League support: June
Bashkin, Joan Domike, Naomi Glass, E. Patricia Hallman, Norma M. Hutton,
Clara Kirkman, Lois Laster, Elaine Melmed, Ann Porowski, Susan &
Firoze Rao, Leona Rumsey, Barbara Yeomans
Back to top of page
At the League's Annual Meeting on April 24, a proposal that grew out
of the Program Planning meeting for a study to explore possible options
to achieve full voting representation in Congress was approved. I have
agreed to chair the committee. Any and all who are interested in
participating may contact me. I shall circulate possible times and
places for meetings once enough members to form a working group are
identified.
April 15 DC Vote sponsored Democracy Day, the first
income tax day event endorsed by the mayor and the city council. LWVUS
Executive Director Nancy Tate participated.
The week before Democracy Day, a letter was sent to
the Hill asking for co-sponsorship of the "No Taxation Without
Representation" bill. This was the first time DC Vote had taken a
position on a legislative solution to DC's disenfranchisement.- DC Vote;
organized the effort and 17 organizations (local and national,
representing a range of groups and interests) signed the letter.
In anticipation of the coming presidential election
DC Vote met with the Congressional Black Caucus, which agreed to make
full voting representation in Congress for D.C. one of the issues it
will present to all candidates. — Kathy Schmidt (237-5550), DC Vote
Liaison
Back to top of page
Article submission deadline for the July/August DC
VOTER is July 8. It will be mailed July 25. Members should receive it by
August 8.
As an adjunct to the Voter, we will continue to email
"This Week in the League" highlighting League events dining
that week. We are preparing a "member fax number list" in
order to fax the same information to those who have a fax machine but
not an e-mail address.
Please notify the League office of changes or
additions in your e-mail address or fax number. — Sheila Willet
(347-3020), DC Voter Editor
Back to top of page
At the Board's May 7 Board meeting, the Education
Committee presented a proposal to study available data on the effects of
school vouchers on the performance of children, with particular
attention to their potential impact on the District of Columbia public
schools. The Board approved the proposed study in concept. The study
would begin in the fall of 2003 by collecting information about the
effects of vouchers, continue with an informational meeting (all-member
or in units), and would follow up with unit meetings for consensus in
the spring of 2004.
We are looking for more League members to join the
committee to undertake this task. Call either Connie or Gladys and
volunteer to help. The next meeting will be held at 10 am Wed., June 11
at LWVUS Rosalie Goodman Room, 1730 M St., NW Suite 1000. — Constance
Tate (882-0387) & Gladys Weaver (554-3055), Co-chairs
Back to top of page
On Monday, May 19, Ed Lazere of the DC Fiscal Policy
Institute presented a comprehensive summary of the current negotiations
of major League Baseball to find a home for the Montreal Expos. The
District is competing with Northern Virginia and Portland, Oregon to buy
the Montreal Expos. Major League Baseball will make the decision by
July, and the DG Council would need to approve 'the Mayor's financing
plan in order for the District to compete.
A public hearing on the subject is scheduled for June
12. Mr. Lazere reviewed the financing plan, as well as academic research
on the impacts of publicly financed baseball stadiums. Detailed
information is available in the office. — Frances Gemmill
Back to top of page
The annual convention of the National Capital Area
Leagues was attended by eight members of the D.C. League as delegates,
alternates or NCA Board members. Our delegates were Frances Gemmill,
Grace Malakoff, Sheila Willet, Joan Wilson, and Reggie Yancey. Suzanne
Campagna, our liaison to LWVNCA, and Mary Rodgers were alternates, and
Elinor Hart was there in her capacity as an NCA Board member. The
Convention voted to add Homeland Security to its program for 2003-05,
and to retain its present positions for action and/or study, with
emphasis on housing.
The Madeline Naumann Award went to the Falls Church
League for a project to increase the awareness of citizens of Falls
Church, the City Council, Boards and Committees and city staff of the
Falls Church's comprehensive plan in preparation for the plan's review
and to encourage better use of the Plan in the city's decision making
process.
The Membership Award went to the Loudoun County League who increased
their membership by 51 percent.
Eleven Leagues comprise the National Capital Area
League, an inter-League organization formed to cooperate in study and
action on issues common to them. In addition to the LWVDC, the member
Leagues are Maryland State, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince
George's County, Virginia State, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls
Church, Loudoun County and the newest member, Queen Anne's County on
Maryland's Eastern Shore. — Frances Gemmill
NCA News & Notes
The Carroll County LWV to the west of Baltimore has
decided to disband due to lack of interest and despite much effort by
LWVMD to rescue them.
Leaguers residing in Queen Anne's County on
Maryland's Eastern Shore are establishing a LWV chapter in the county.
They have 45 members. — Andrea Gruhl & Barbara Sherrill
Back to top of page
At the initiative of Geri Albers, a League member who
maintains a strong interest in environmental matters, the League Board
approved League testimony before the Zoning Commission on Monday May 19,
suggesting, in part, that a new Environmental Impact Statement, which
would take account of the impact of the proposed boathouse be completed
prior to approval of the application for re-zoning.
The hearing started at 6:30 pm. Frances Gemmill and
Geri Albers joined around 50 people for the Zoning hearing on May 19,
including several representatives of Georgetown (architects, lawyers,
the head coach) and a representative of the National Park Service, along
with representatives of the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, the
Washington Canoe Club, the C&O Canal Association, and the Capital
Crescent Trail. The presentation of the applicant (Georgetown
University) was followed by a period of questions by the Commissioners
as well as by the President of the Washington Canoe Club and a
representative of the Capital Crescent Trail. As 11.00 p.m. approached,
the Chairwoman adjourned the hearing, after arranging to reconvene it on
Thursday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. Stay tuned - Geri & Frances will be
there for the rest of the story, and we invite other Leaguers who are
interested to join us. — Geri Albers, 302-2605 Frances Gemmill,
362-6784
Back to top of page
Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252
The Board of Elections and Ethics held a Public
Hearing on May 14, 2003 seeking public input on the District's election
process as part of the ongoing procedures outlined in the Help America
Vote Act (HAVA). Frances Gemmill, LWVDC President and more than 13
persons spoke to the Board and a full audience on subjects ranging from
voting procedures, voter registration, voter education, accessibility of
polling places and voting equipment, pollworker training and
recruitment, non-citizen voting and other matters. She stated in part,
"The League believes the administration of elections in DC is in
excellent shape, and relatively free from the problems that led to the
enactment of HAVA. Thus, DC is in the enviable position of focusing on
making the administration of our elections truly outstanding. Additional
emphasis on voter education and precinct operations can significantly
enhance the civic process in DC." Mrs. Gemmill testified. Members
can call the League office for a complete transcript of the League's
testimony. For further information about HAVA see the May DG Voter or
visit the Federal Election Commission's website at http://www.fec.gov/hava/hava.htm.
— Sheila Willet
Why People Don't Vote?
On April 19th, more than 100 people gathered at the
Washington Highlands Public Library to hear and discuss strategies for
increasing voter turnout. League member Anna Marsh was one of 10
panelists. Conclusions from the discussion were: The top three reasons
people give for not voting are: 1) my vote doesn't make a difference; 2)
politicians fail to address the issues that young people care about; 3)
voters today think more as individuals rather than as a group (labor
unions, etc.) Strategies defined for addressing these issues included
face-to-face visits and one to one conversations where people gather,
such as dance hall, club, laundromat mat, colleges, churches, new
citizen swearing in ceremonies. — Anna Marsh
Back to top of page
Milestone:
MOTOR VOTER MARKS TENTH ANNIVERSARY
National Voter Registration Act enacted Mary 20, 1993
Back to top of page
Show Me the Money: Financing DC's Transportation
System, a public meeting hosted by the Citizens Advisory Committee
to The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) on
May 7 was cosponsored by LWVDC and the Committee of 100 on the Federal
City. The featured speakers were: Councilmember Jim Graham (Ward 1) and
Council Member Phil Mendelson (At-Large) and Dan Tangherlini, Director,
District Department of Transportation (DDOT).
DC Councilmember Jim Graham warned that further
increases in rail and bus fares are likely in the near future to meet
inevitable budget shortfalls. He chairs the WMATA budget committee, and
described the budget committee debate on the recently proposed fare and
parking fee increases. DC pushed hard for the longer hours that were
adopted (3:00 AM closings on weekends and 7:00 AM openings). Transit
fares were increased about 10% instead of the proposed 27% and fees for
parking at Metro's 58,000 subsidized parking spaces inched upward. Final
approval of the recommended fare and parking fee hikes will come before
the Metropolitan Washington Transit Authority in June, with
implmentation expected July 1, 2003.
Money was set aside for continued repair of the WMATA
escalator and elevator system, and it was proposed to make Metro Access
conform to Federal reimbursement guidelines.
DC Councilmember At Large Phil Mendelson, now chair of the regional Air
Quality Committee, pointed out that DC transportation habits mean that
DC emits only 8% of mobile source pollution although it has 11% of the
population of the air quality region. Compliance with ozone standards by
2005 is expected to challenge regional planners. This DC pattern is
revealed in the US Census commute-to-work figures showing that 38% of DC
workers drive solo to work versus nearly 68% for the region as a whole.
DC Department of Transportation Director Dan
Tangherlini was pleased to announce that the DC Council had just that
day approved a dedication of a number of parking and other fees to be
collected in a special fund to be available to meet Federal requirements
for a matching share on many projects, to guard against a repeat of a
recent budget year in which not matching funds were available.
The Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan (CLRP),
revised every three years, will be completed in June. The current draft
increases transit funds to about 60% (from 52% in the 2000 plan).
Federal funding prospects remain uncertain, and a number of projected
WMATA projects, especially in the suburbs, are not fully approved. The
projected regional 20-year budget is nearly $100 billion. DC
infrastructure needs center on bridge repair, for which the department
is lobbying Congress. Some monies to repair streets are available from a
fund collecting charges for street work by utilities, and from a
terminated Barney Circle highway project. [Note: If you've notice a
flurry of street repairs around town, you might like to know DC is
required to spend these funds within one year.] However, the budget
shortfalls are threatening department basic operations at all times.
New efforts to find revenue resulted in a cosponsored
bill (Mendelson/Graham) to impose a. parking fee on all spaces not
subject to the sales tax. These would include spaces leased on Capitol
Hill for staff there.
Many in attendance stressed the importance of
improving bus information and schedules. Mr. Tangherlini noted that
increased ridership is financially pure gain since the facilities are in
place whether they are used or not. An effort at WMATA to get consultant
help to improve information at bus stops was funded by DC DOT but was
abandoned due to computer programming errors. — Grace Malakoff
(387-7540), Transportation Chair
Back to top of page
Click on the above link for a copy of the League
membership form.
Back to top of page
SUN |
MON |
TUES |
WED |
THURS |
FRI |
SAT |
1 |
2 |
3 6:30
pm, IR Cmte, Guest Speaker Sandra L. Thurman, Topic HIV-AIDS in
Africa |
4 10:00
am, Mtg. LWVDC Board |
5 |
6 |
7 9:00
am-9:30 pm, Council 2003 Plenary Sessions for State Delegates |
8 7:30
am-4:30 pm, Council 2003 Plenary Sessions for State Delegates
6:30 pm, Council 2003 Banquet, SC Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Speaker, $40 |
9
8:30-10:30 am, 11am-12:30 pm, 1:30-3 pm, Council 2003 Sessions,
free to League members |
10 |
11 10:00
am, Education Cmte
12:00 pm, Great Decisions |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 10
am-3 pm, LWVDC Board Planning Meeting |
22 3:00
pm, Great Decisions final get-together |
23 |
24 Unit
Meetings
9:45 am, Southwest
12:45 pm Northwest Day |
25 Unit
Meetings
9:45 am, Upper 16th St. |
26 Unit
Meetings
9:45 am, Chevy Chase/Ingleside
7:30 pm Evening |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|