Fall 2001 Newsletter

DC VOTE VOLUNTEERS "MAKE A DIFFERENCE" IN PETWORTH

On Saturday, October 28th, DC Vote kicked off its campaign to educate and energize people in Washington to work for full voting rights in Congress. Following on the success of the "Freedom Summer" program, we decided to focus our efforts in the Petworth neighborhood.

Coinciding with National Make-A-Difference Day, a core group of dedicated DC Vote volunteers braved an unseasonably chilly day, walking door to door in the storied NW community. They met with local residents, handed out information, collected petition signatures, and engaged people in the critical struggle to fulfill the promise of democracy.

The people of Petworth responded generously, opening their doors and wallets, sharing their stories, and signing up as new DC Vote recruits. The canvass introduced Mrs. Senior District of Columbia (also known as Myrtle S. Church) to DC Vote. Mrs. Church, a resident of Petworth for over fifty years, promised to carry the DC Vote mantle with her to the Mrs. Senior USA Pageant in Las Vegas this December. One of Mrs. Church’s neighbors, the dashing Mr. Honesty, was also grateful for the work being done to end this injustice and eager to find a way to help further the cause.

The success of the day is tangible: hundreds of petition signatures and several campaign contributions. The intangible results are even greater: DC Vote’s efforts will be richer, and our goals will be accomplished more quickly, because we will now be joined by volunteers from Petworth.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S LETTER

by Amy Whitcomb Slemmer

Dear Friends of DC Vote:

I hope that this newsletter finds you safe and well. Like every person and organization in the District of Columbia, DC Vote has been profoundly affected by the terrorist attacks in New York and at the Pentagon and the insidious anthrax threat with the U.S. mail.

We stood by in shock on September 11th, but reacted in anger when we found out about the Brentwood postal workers’ anthrax infections. Surely if D.C. residents had voting represen-tation in the House and Senate, some members of the delegation would have thought about their constituents.

Instead, Congress closed their office buildings and had them swept for biological agents, which seemed prudent, yet no one thought about the workers at the Brentwood facility. Members behaved as though the mail magically arrives in their office. No one thought about local mail carriers and sorters, and DC Vote believes that this oversight is because we are no one’s constituents. Unfortunately, we can’t vote against the members of Congress who forgot about us, or in favor of those who have finally come to our assistance.

The federal government has acted swiftly to make changes to the way we live our lives in the District of Columbia. Fortunately, after some local wrangling, District residents and our elected officials are being included in these discussions. Press coverage at the time suggested that there would be little room on the national agenda to redress D.C.’s disenfranchisement. However, several recent articles in the Washington Post have been more positive and have recognized the fact that civil rights advancements are historically achieved within an environment of social upheaval.

In this issue of the newsletter, you will learn about DC Vote’s large upcoming fundraising reception, to which you are personally invited. I hope you will be able to join us to celebrate this year’s progress, and to help DC Vote launch its efforts in the New Year.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Amy Whitcomb Slemmer

A BITTERSWEET BIRTHDAY

Americans don’t tend to give much thought to the fact that turning 18 means gaining the right to vote for representation in Congress. For men, perhaps more thought is given to the responsibility of registering for Selective Service.

For men living outside the District of Columbia, the right to representation and the responsibility to serve come hand in hand. The disconnect of not having the right to a full, equal voice in our government (yet potentially being ordered to protect) it makes turning 18 a much more thoughtful rite of passage in the District. This contradiction has never been more pronounced than in this new era of war and uncertainty.

Eli Zigas, born October 16, 1983, is taking his birthday very seriously. As a resident of the District of Columbia, Eli understands that he could be sent to war to protect American democracy, yet he has no voting representation in the Congress that would make that decision.

Many of you may already have worked or volunteered with Eli for the D.C. voting rights movement. He currently interns in the DC Vote office handling calls, improving the website, updating the database, and public schools: Lafayette Elementary, Deal Junior High and Wilson High. His many interests include cultural studies, guitar, travel, community service and politics. He has been elected Vice President and President of the Wilson High student body.

In his senior year, he was one of two delegates from the District of Columbia to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program, for students who demonstrate outstanding civic participation. Through this program, he became engaged and energized in the struggle to gain full voting representation for D.C. residents.

Eli, on behalf of everyone involved with DC Vote, we thank you for your hard work and wish you the best of luck at Grinnell College next fall. For your 18th birthday, our gift to you is a promise. We promise to work tirelessly, inspired by your own steadfast efforts and unwavering commitment, until the residents of the District of Columbia have full voting representation in the United States Congress. We promise that we will win the fight to have an equal vote in our government and a full voice for you, your family, your friends and the 572,000 other DC residents.

SPEAKERS BUREAU EDUCATES PUBLIC, ONE SPEECH AT A TIME

Central to the campaign for full voting rights in Congress is an educated electorate. DC Vote has formed a Speaker’s Bureau to inform, inspire and involve people across the city in the voting rights movement.

In mid-September, 11 volunteers participated in an enthusiastic training session led by DC Vote’s Executive Director, Amy Slemmer, and Johnny Barnes, Executive Director of the ACLU/National Capital Region. Amy outlined a model speech that highlighted the issues she always makes sure to cover. Johnny Barnes gave his rousing account of the city’s gains and setbacks in the long struggle to be recognized. He brought a wealth of information, rich storytelling from his own experience, and most importantly, his sense that we are close to the goal!

At the end of the 90-minute training session, packets of useful information were distributed for speakers’ use when preparing a talk. This event was filmed; the video is available for any prospective speaker or interested person to see and learn from.

DC Vote has received requests from ANCs across the city as a result of groundwork effectively laid by board member, Kathy Schmidt. Civic associations, schools and community organizations are eager to include on their agendas an informed D.C. voting rights speaker.

To join the Speakers’ Bureau or to request a speaker for your event, contact the DC Vote office. Remember, every informed voice brings District citizens closer to the goal of full voting representation in Congress!

LICENSE PLATE ENVY?

Since their introduction a year ago, "Taxation Without Representation" license plates have made international news and have even sparked some national controversy. The message these plates project couldn’t be more clear: While District residents pay the second highest federal income taxes in the country and contribute 95% of the total budget to run their own city, they have absolutely no vote on how even one dime of that money is spent. The license plates allow D.C. residents to broadcast their frustration, anger and outrage about this injustice every time they get in their cars.

But there are so many people outside the District who also strongly believe in full voting rights for D.C. If only there were a way that they too could put a "Taxation" plate on their vehicles!

DC Vote heard your wishes and has discovered a solution. For our friendly neighbors to the north, south, east and west: good news!

Both the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration allow the creation and use of specialized license plates for organizations. In Virginia, 350 people must commit to buying the specialized plates; in Maryland only 25 people are needed to commit to purchasing the plates. You can visit www.dmv.state.va.us/exec/vehicle/splates/soon.asp to see some of the Virginia plates currently in development.

For only $25 in either state, you will soon be able to drive a vehicle that really makes a statement!

If you live in Virginia or Maryland and are interested in obtaining a license plate that shows your support for full enfranchisement for District residents, contact Kevin Kiger at kevin@monumentalimpact.com. Once the minimum has been reached, DC Vote will have the plates constructed and will send out instructions for ordering them.

If you live in a different state and want to know how you can obtain your very own "Taxation" license plate, please contact your state DMV and find out the necessary steps. Then, tell DC Vote, and we’ll help you spread the word!

ADAMS MORGAN DAY DRAWS MANY SUPPORTERS

On September 9, 2001, DC Vote set up a booth at the annual Adams Morgan Day festival, which drew huge crowds to the 18th street area. The festival consisted of local merchants and organizations and a number of stages featuring various musical acts...to say nothing of the wandering performers.

DC Vote’s booth was located near the north stage in space donated by fine folks at Madam’s Organ. Throughout the day, both the booth and every volunteer with a clipboard was consistently surrounded by area residents waiting to sign the DC Vote petition and buy merchandise. Many signers also asked for information about how to volunteer with DC Vote. The small group of volunteers working that day sold $570 in merchandise, which will help replenish our dwindling supply of t-shirts and bumper stickers.

Even more gratifying than the fundraising success was the enthusiastic support from the local community; volunteers collected 1,500 signatures for DC Vote’s voting rights petition! It’s through this exuberant support from area residents and organizations that citizens living in the District of Columbia will achieve full voting representation.

CONGRESS SERVES UP ANOTHER ROUND OF RIDERS

D.C.’s local budget for fiscal year 2002 will include the following provisions enforced by Congress and largely against the wishes of the residents of the District:

• Prevent the implementation of the 1998 voter-approved initiative to allow medical marijuana.
• Prevent the District from creating a needle exchange program to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.
• Reverse an initiative by the D.C. Council that would have put 3,800 more police officers on city streets.
• Stop a program for family planning services for low-income women.
• Stop D.C. from spending any money to win voting rights by a lawsuit.

Up until this year, a rider was also added to prevent any local funds from being used by the District to promote, fund or enforce the locally passed 1992 Domestic Partnership Law.

To understand how the U.S. Congress manages to overrule the will of D.C. residents year after year, one must understand the lengthy and complicated D.C. budget process (one that fails most standards of democracy). This process is unique to the District of Columbia; it is not followed by any other U.S. city, state or territory.

First, the locally elected mayor writes the annual budget, then the locally elected D.C. Council holds public hearings and offers its approval. Up until October 1, 2001, the next step was for the non-elected D.C. Financial Management and Assistance Authority (also known as the Control Board) to approve the budget in full. Next, the budget is sent to the Office of Management and Budget, the President of the United States, and then to Congress.

Although no voting member of Congress represents D.C. (which, in turn, means that D.C. residents do not have any voting representation in Congress), the next step is for Congress to vote on the District’s local budget. While the budget makes its way through six different steps in Congress (including committees and subcommittees), Congressional members may add amendments known as "riders."

Congress has added riders to the DC budget every year since the current process went into practice in 1974. A typical D.C. Budget contains 70 to 100 riders.

Finally, after being passed by Congress, the budget is sent back to the President who either signs it into law or vetoes it.

"Today the citizens of the District of Columbia are embarking on an extraordinary effort to make the members of the new Congress aware of the city, the historic neighborhoods, and the people who live where they serve," said Amy Whitcomb Slemmer. "As the members of the 107th Congress look for opportunities for bipartisan cooperation, we believe that full enfranchisement for the 570,000 people living in the District of Columbia should be at the top of their list," she added.

NEW COMMITTEES MEAN NEW WAYS TO HELP GAIN VOTING RIGHTS

There are now even more opportunities to assist the D.C. voting rights movement. DC Vote has established two NEW committees: Education Outreach and Public Policy. Each committee is currently working on many projects and always looking for new volunteers to lend their support and expertise.

Joining a committee is also a great way to learn new skills and meet interesting people! Here is a brief description of each committee:

Education Outreach: The real "grassroots" arm of DC Vote. Reaches out to the local, national and youth communities, canvasses neighborhoods (distributing literature), contacts community leaders and activists.

Public Policy: Works on the legislative aspect of the voting rights issue. Lobbies local, state and national politicians. Bring your experience advocating for an issue on the Hill, or your enthusiasm in learning about how government really works.

Development: Help keep DC Vote running smooth. Raises funds for vital DC Vote operations. Currently planning upcoming winter fundraiser.

Communications: Promotes the DC Vote mission to the public through the media. Prints newsletter, issues press releases, writes op-eds and letters to the editor, publicizes DC Vote events.

Not interested in committee work, but still want to volunteer? We also always need people to collect petition signatures, run the DC Vote booth at various events, and do data entry and make phone calls in the office.

Or if you have a specific idea in mind, please let us know! If you want to help, we want you! Contact Jamal Najjab at DC Vote: (202) 462-6000 or dcvote@dcvote.org.

DC VOTE MAILBAG

N. Herschel Koblenz writes to his Ohio Representatives:

I have recently been made aware of the true inequity that currently exists with respect to the disenfranchisement of the residents of the District of Columbia! I can not believe that whatever reason may have existed at the time of disenfranchisement has any legitimacy today. I urge you to support legislation to rectify this inequity.

Words of support from The League of Women Voters:

Over the last 200 years, the principle that all citizens are entitled to a voice and a vote in their national government has emerged as a cornerstone of American democracy and a fundamental tenet of our Constitution. Although relatively few Americans were entitled to vote when the Constitution was adopted in 1788, virtually all restrictions on the franchises have since been eliminated, including those based on race, sex, wealth, property ownership, education, marital status and place of residence. Disenfranchisement of District citizens is the last great exception to the constitutional principle of one person, one vote.

The League of Women Voters supports full voting representation in the Congress for the citizens of the District of Columbia. This support was recently reaffirmed by delegates from all the states at a national meeting this spring.

Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, Ph.D., President
Patricia Hollman, President
The League of Women Voters of the United States of the District of Columbia

DC Vote encourages you to write to your elected officials -- local, state and national -- telling them you support full voting rights for residents of the District of Columbia! Please send a copy of your letter to DC Vote headquarters, and you might see your name in a future Newsletter!

Sara Beauchamp writes in with an important question:

I’d like more information on how organizations can become endorsers of DC Vote. I am a member of a group based in D.C. that does a lot of work surrounding the complete lack of funding from D.C. taxes for services to help survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I think the lack of representation in Congress is an issue closely related to those we work around, and I’d be interested in ways our groups might partner.

Answer: To add your organization’s name to our ever-growing list of endorsers, call DC Vote at 202-462-6000 for informational materials and an endorsement form. Let us know if you need a speaker, and we’ll be happy to address your group, large or small.

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