|
Our League program year began as the 83rd year ended
with our 84th Annual Meeting on April 22nd, held at the David A.
Clarke School of Law, UDC. Mr. Robert Bobb, Deputy Mayor and City
Administrator of the District of Columbia, spoke to the meeting about
the state of our government. His words met with widespread
appreciation for his clarity and honesty (he made clear some areas of
disagreement with the League's views), and we have received several
requests for a report on what he said. Those requests have been
forwarded to his office, and we will publish them when they are
available-perhaps in the July/August VOTER.
Now, with some new officers and Board members, we move
towards May and several major events. First, on May 11 our
Congressional Representation Committee will present -an all member
meeting on that subject, where committee members will inform us about.
the current options in Congress and, with the help of Lloyd Leonard,
Senior Lobbyist for LWVUS, we will consider our current views on
strategy as we continue to work for full voting representation in
Congress. See article and insert for details and background.
Second, the National Capital Area League Convention
will meet on Saturday, May 15 Instead of a speaker, the NCA Committee
on Homeland Security will inform us about its studies during the past
year, and make recommendations as to next steps.
Third, on May 22, be sure not to miss a unique
opportunity, when the DC League will present a dramatization by
Johnnie Thomas, telling the story of the Buffalo Soldiers. More than
180,000 AfricanAmericans served in the Union Army during the Civil
War, and of these, more than 33,000 died. After the war, Congress
passed legislation establishing cavalry and infantry units. The
mounted regiments were the 9th and 10th cavalries, soon called
"Buffalo Soldiers" by the Cheyenne and Comanche. ' Did you
know there's at least one Buffalo Soldier who is a member of the DC
League? See if you can guess who!
Board members and others all over town are, selling tickets at $25 each-get yours soon, and mark May 22 on
your calendar.
Back to top of page
On May 11 the members of the League of Women Voters of
the District of Columbia will gather at the Sumner School to hear a
discussion of the four bills before the House of Representatives which
pertain to voting rights for DC citizens. After the discussion, the
membership will consider the best strategies to follow to support the
League position for full voting rights. For more information about the
proposed discussion, see the insert in this Voter.
For over 200 years DC has lacked voting representation
in the legislative branch of our federal government, which also serves
in place of our state legislature. To correct this anomaly, we must be
clear about our tactics - when an opportunity arises, the League needs
to be ready to act. — Kathy Schmidt, Chair (237-5550)
Back to top of page
DELEGATE NORTON WANTS HELSINKI COMMISSION HEARING
ON VOTING RIGHTS
On April 7, Del. Norton released a letter to
congressional representatives who comprise the Helsinki Commission
requesting hearings on a February finding by the Organization of
American States (OAS) Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that
the United States is in violation of international human rights law by
denying congressional voting rights to D.C. residents. The letter was
addressed to Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) Chairman, and Sen. Ben Nighthorse
Campbell (RCO), co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, consisting of
18 members of the House and Senate, and two officials from the
Departments of State and Commerce. Norton's letter said "...the
OAS has found our own government to be in violation ... of the
American Declaration of the Rights of Man ... we believe that the
Commission has an obligation to hold a hearing on this violation in
our country and to. recommend compliance with the OAS
recommendation." Twenty-three D.C. residents, led by
international human rights activist Tim Cooper filed the OAS case 11
years ago.
Back to top of page
Saturday, May 15, 2004
9:30 am - noon
at the Arlington Hilton Hotel and Towers 950 North Stafford
St., Arlington, VA (Ballston Metro Stop - Orange Line)
The NCA Annual Convention breakfast will begin at 9:30
AM Registration. The cost, including breakfast, is $25. All League
members are welcome to attend.
To make a reservation, send a check made payable to LWV
NCA to Pat Sullivan, 16 W. Walnut St., Alexandria, VA 22301 (703
739-0731). Deadline for reservations is Friday, May 7. Delegates to
the convention representing LWVDC are Frances Gemmill, Madlyn Calbert,
Kathryn Ray, Leona Rumsey and Joyce Leader.
The NCA Homeland Security Committee study, which was
authorized at the 2003 Convention, has drawn participation from all
local Leagues, including Leona Rumsey and Joyce Leader representing
D.C. The Committee Report at the 2004 convention on May 15 is to be
the main program of the convention instead of a guest speaker.
Back to top of page
The , National Convention: Preparation for , the
National Convention is in full swing. Volunteers are needed, and
reminded that a free ticket to the performance of the **Capitol
Steps** is available for you. See the insert in your March DC VOTER
for information on volunteer opportunities at the June LWVUS °National
Convention. Guests are welcome at the performance of the Capitol Steps on Sunday June 13--$25 per ticket.
Delegates and others planning to attend the convention
from this area are invited to attend a briefing by staffer Greg
Leatherwood of the LWVUS Office in the conference room at 1730 M
Street NW, on Friday, May 21, 2004, 10 AM to 12 NOON. — Grace Malakoff and Barbara Sherrill,
NCA News & Notes
Back to top of page
"Psssst... Don't Miss out!
Tell a Friend....
Tickets are selling fast for the May
22nd Dramatization of the Buffalo Soldiers - a LWVDC
Education
Fund Benefit. Order your tickets today - only $25.
Back to top of page
NATIONAL PROGRAM
LWVUS BOARD APPROVES NEW POSITION ON PRESIDENTIAL SELECTION
The LWVUS Board approved the following new position on
Presidential Selection:
The League of Women Voters believes that the
direct-popular-vote method for electing the President and Vice
President is essential to representative government. The League of
Women Voters believes, therefore, that the Electoral College should be
abolished. The League also supports uniform voting qualifications and
procedures for presidential elections. The League supports changes in
the presidential election system - from the candidate selection
process to the general election. We support efforts to provide voters
with sufficient information about candidates and their positions,
public policy issues, and the selection process itself. The League
supports action to ensure that the media, political parties,
candidates, and all levels of government achieve these goals and
provide that information.
The margin of acceptance was: 63% strongly supported,
24% accepted, and 13% did not accept the proposed new position. This
represents 5,249 members, 670 Leagues, and 51 states, including the
District of Columbia. Members were overwhelmingly satisfied with the
process, and 86% reported the League should use the individual member
concurrence method of member agreement for future updates, while 14%
would not use this method in the future.
Back to top of page
District of Columbia Legislative Briefing
Saturday, May 15, 2004 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm
Howard University
Keynote Speaker Mark Plotkin, Political Commentator and
Analyst, WTOP Radio
will speak at 12:30 pm
Workshops, which relate to issues such as Health,
Education, Families and Children, Homelessness and Housing, Criminal
Justice, Aging, and more, will follow during the afternoon. The event
is cosponsored by the Howard- University School of Social work and the
Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. For more information,
please call League member Natalie Howard, 2372163
Back to top of page
Grace Malakoff presented the DC League's testimony to
the DC Council Committee of the Whole on the Budget Support Act of
2005 on April 19, 2005. The statement said, in part: "While bonds
are certainly a valid mechanism for funding affordable housing, we are
opposed to using the Budget Support Act to change the way the District
finances affordable housing. If the administration believes there is
justification for replacing what has been called 'one of the best
housing funds in the country,' it should offer its proposal through
stand-alone legislation."... Now is the time for the Council to
maintain the Housing Production Trust Fund, and to fully fund
it."
Back to top of page
A full room listened to guest speakers from the
American Turkish Association who spoke about Turkey with various
topics from its formation up to the present, women's issues and
Turkey's relationship with the United States. This meeting concludes
the 2003-2004 Committee Program.
We will begin again in September with a discussion of
the book Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed The World by Margaret
MacMillan. League members are encouraged to read the book over the
summer and join in the discussion. The book is available in area
bookstores or through various on-line booksellers. — Susan Rao (636-1688) and
Anne Porowski (364-0557), Co-chairs
Back to top of page
Metro is considering unprecedented measures to meet the
challenge of funding urgent infrastructure maintenance costs, such as
elevators, escalators, and more rolling stock.
The. purchase of additional buses to meet increasing
demand is so urgent, and the available funds so limited, that the
Board is considering postponing purchase of very expensive high tech
models to a later time, in order to get into service more new models
of their traditional diesels. They have requested a specific air
quality impact evaluation of this choice.
As important as getting more buses is getting more
service out of existing equipment, by gaining bus right-of-way on
existing roadways to meet schedules. Even if a traveler is willing to
board a bus, how can .the bus get to any destination. through existing
traffic jams? When the League talked to radio stations about getting
public service announcements to encourage' transit use, the stations
felt too dependent on drive-time advertisers to undertake it.
Even more financially daunting is the effort to fund
the' goal of introducing eight-car trains. This change will require
not only the purchase of the additional cars, but also an equally
hefty investment in expanding the power and station capacity of the system, even if the longer trains run only on the red
line, the one with far and away the heaviest usage. Because the rail
system is at capacity on. existing rolling stock on all lines at rush
hour, the Board is up against the reality that the system has a finite
capacity - whatever they do. One member commented "they say the
railroad cannot be widened - we may have to face the possibility that
it cannot be lengthened either."
Budget struggles within each jurisdiction of the
transit zone (Metro's service area) have left officials with scant
time to plan for available budget allotments, and cuts in existing
service remain a possible necessity, due to the shortfalls in local
jurisdiction support. The budget impasse at the state level in
Maryland and Virginia has created a tidal wave of work for the
financial planning staff of Metro, which is now exploring issuing
bonds as a possibility. Because of the interest rate differential for
Metro bonds versus local government bonds, this is a codex.
_undertaking both in calculation and in politics. Another measure
being explored by the financial staff is the imposition of
"emergency" increases in fares and fees to meet the
shortfall in FY 05 and beyond. — Grace Malakoff (387-7540) Chair
Back to top of page
Cleaning up the Anacostia
At its April 7 meeting, the Board voted to join a group
of local environmental, business, and civic groups led by the DC
Appleseed Center for Law & Justice to endorse the legislation in
Congress, the Anacostia Watershed Initiative Act". The House bill
was introduced by D.C.'s Delegate Norton, and cosponsored by several
legislators, including Reps. Van Hollen, Wynn, and Hoyer; the Senate
bill was introduced by Sen. Sarbanes and co-sponsored by Sen. Mikulski
among others, and it would provide the cleanup necessary for
significant economic, recreational, recreational, health, and
educational benefits for the District and Maryland. More information,
including a copy of the proposed legislation, is available in the
League Office. — Frances Gemmill
Georgetown Boathouse Still Pending
The proposed transfer of federal parkland from The
National Park Service to Georgetown University has not yet taken
place. ' The parkland just west of the Key Bridge was to be exchanged
with Georgetown U. for a parcel upstream. A group called
"Defenders of Potomac Parklands" of which the DC League is a
member urged in May 2004 that an Environmental Impact Statement taking
account of the potential impact of the proposed boathouse (which is
the length of a football field) be done. The EIS has not taken place.
The celebration last week of the 50th anniversary of
Justice Douglas's famous walk from Cumberland to Washington is a
reminder of the value of the parkland to the public. The proposed
building will have an effect on the entrance to the historic C & 0
Canal. — Frances Gemmill
Back to top of page
Non-English speaking populations in the District that
"constitutes 3% of the population or 500 individuals, whichever
is less" will be provided language assistance. This legislation
was passed by the DC Council on April 6, 2004 and signed by the Mayor.
Under the new law, the District agencies are required to provide
written translation of documents as well as interpretation services at
public meetings. It has been called "a major achievement for the
African immigrant community, who work hard and pay taxes in the
District of Columbia, to be able to communicate with District agencies
in Amharic, while learning English."
The city agencies with "major public contact"
will implement this Act over a three-year phased in schedule. The
District of Columbia is the third city in the nation - after Oakland,
California, and New York City - to enact similar language access
legislation.
Back to top of page
Honoring the Buffalo Soldier
A Benefit for the DC League of Women Voters Education Fund
$25/each person
People's Congregational Church
4704 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Sat, May 22, 2004 - 2:30 pm-5:00 pm
Featuring Storyteller Johnnie Lockett Thomas's
Dramatization of the Buffalo Soldiers. The cost is $25/each.
Refreshments will be served.
Click here, print form, and send check and completed form to LWVDC EF Benefit, 733
15th St., NW, Suite 432, Washington, DC 20005.
Back to top of page
Sheila Keeny Honored: Each year the Citizens Advisory
Council of Iona Senior Services sponsors a celebration honoring
seniors who have provided superior service to our community. This
year, the DC League chose Sheila Keeny as its nominee to receive the
honor.
Some 40 volunteers are recognized from the over 150
local organizations. Although the primary purpose of the SUPER SENIOR
program is to show the important role active older persons play to
further the work of non-profit programs, it is also an opportunity for
agencies and organizations to highlight the wide variety of their
services and encourage participation by older persons.
This year's ceremony took place at the Blessed
Sacrament Church, and was attended by Sheila's husband Spurgeon Keeny,
as well as several of Sheila's League friends: Madlyn Calbert, Billie
Day, Frances Gemmill, Barbara Luchs, and Geraldine Whitley. This
year's audience enjoyed a musical interlude, with songs by Joe Glazer,
a senior himself. Glazer introduced the show: "I've performed at
Madison Square Garden and the Kennedy Center, and today's performance
is the highlight of my career".
Questions concerning League membership can be directed
to Linda Softli (667-8210), Membership Chair
Back to top of page
Click here for the LWVDC MEMBERSHIP FORM
Back to top of page
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
11:30 am.-1:30 pm
Sumner School, 1201 17th St., NW
(Corner of M and 17th Streets)
PANEL COMPOSED OF DC LEAGUE MEMBERS
SUSANNAH GOUREVITCH, JOE GRANO, JOANNA LONDON, NELSON
RIMENSNYDER
MODERATOR: LLOYD LEONARD (DC MEMBER AND LWVUS LOBBY CORP)
MEETING AGENDA:
WELCOME, FRANCES GEMMILL
INTRODUCTIONS, KATHY SCHMIDT
PROGRAM, PANEL PRESENTATION OF CURRENT LEGISLATION
MODERATOR, LLOYD LEONARD
HR 1285 (S 617) "No TAXATION WITHOUT
REPRESENTATION OF 2003," JOANNA LONDON
HR 381 "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MARYLAND REUNION
ACT," JOE GRANO
HR 3709 "DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA VOTING RIGHTS RESTORATION ACT OF 2004," NELSON RIMENSNYDER
SOON TO BE INTRODUCED BILL BY REP. TOM DAVIS "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FAIRNESS IN REPRESENTATION ACT," SUSANNAH
GOUREVITCH
DISCUSSION, LLOYD LEONARD
AGREEMENT ON STRATEGY FRANCES GEMMILL
ADJOURNMENT
Please Note: No Food is allowed by Sumner School. You
may want to plan to eat before or after the meeting.
CONGRESSIONAL VOTING RIGHTS
LWVUS Position
The League of Women Voters of the United States
believes that the citizens of the District of Columbia should be
afforded the same rights of self-government and full voting
representation in Congress as are all other citizens of the United
States
LWVDC Position
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT AND REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS
(Adopted in the 1920s) The LWVDC supports local self-government and
representation in Congress. Our goal is the fullest possible citizen
participation in and responsibility for the government of the District
of Columbia and full voting representation in the Senate and House.
LWVUS also supports this position.
STATEHOOD (Adopted June 1993) The League of Women
Voters of the District of Columbia supports self-government and full
voting representation in Congress for the District of Columbia, and
accepts statehood as a means of achieving this goal. This position
acknowledges that many serious concerns, including the economic and
fiscal resources of the proposed state and the federal enclave, need
to be resolved in order to make statehood a viable concept.
Strategy
Interim steps to full voting rights for the District of
Columbia which have been taken are the 1961 presidential elections
Constitutional Amendment, the 1970 right to elect a House of
Representatives delegate, and the 1973 home rule act. Other
incremental steps may be needed.
Chronology
1787 CONSTITUTION, Article 1, Section 8-District Clause
1790 District of Columbia site selected by Congress
from VA & MD land
1790 DC citizens voted in Maryland but too small
population for own voting district
1800 disenfranchised but no Congressional nor
Constitutional reason found
1846 Alexandria and county retroceded to VA (1/3 DC
area)
1871 designated by Congress a territory with a delegate
to House of Representatives
1874 territorial status revoked by Congress
1961 DC granted voting right for President and Vice
President (23rd amendment; 1964 election) [DC Delegate denied participation in 1999 impeachment
proceedings]
1970 HR delegate granted right to vote only in
committee
1978 HR & Senate pass Constitutional amendment to
allow full voting representation
1985 Amendment failed (only 16 of required 38 states
ratified)
1993 DC delegate gained vote in Committee of the Whole;
introduced statehood bill which garnered 150 votes.
1995 HR delegate Committee of the Whole vote rescinded
1998 to date DC Delegate introduced "No Taxation
without Representation" bills
2002 hearings in HR & Senate committees on DC
voting rights
2004 4 bills (Davis, Norton, Regula, and Rohrabacher) Assigned to HR committee.
Please bring this paper with you to the meeting. These
bills will be described at the May 11th Meeting
Home Rule - City Council, Mayor, boards elected; issues
include taxation at the source, payment in lieu of taxes, etc.
Retrocession - DC except for federal enclave returned to
Maryland; DC like Baltimore or Baltimore County
Statehood - DC, the 51st state assuming all judiciary and
pension costs
Taxation without representation
denied by the Supreme Court in 1822, 1886, 1922, 2000
CONSTITUTION
"exclusive legislation" over DC for military
security, police
Back to top of page
| SUN |
MON |
TUES |
WED |
THUR |
FRI |
SAT |
| 2 |
3 |
4 |
5 10:00 am LWVDC
Board Meeting |
6 |
7 Reservation
deadline for May 15th NCA Convention |
8 |
| 9 |
10 |
11 9:45-11:00 am
Voter Registration at Naturalization Ceremony for New US
citizens
11:30 am-1:30 pm All Member meeting on Congressional Voting
Rights
Deadline for June DC Voter |
12 10:00 am
Education Committee Meeting
12:00 pm Sen. Joseph Biden Briefing Lunch on CEDAW - $25
Dirksen S.O.B. Room 106. Call Madlyn Calbert 832-7305 for
info. |
13 |
14 |
15 9:30 am-noon, NCA
Convention, Arlington, VA
12-5 pm DC Legislative Briefing |
| 16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 June DC Voter
mailed |
22 2:30-5 pm
Honoring the Buffalo Soldier - Ed Fund Benefit |
| 23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
| 30 |
31 Memorial Day
Observed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
