Fall 2002 Newsletter

DC Vote Has New Director

Zherka's selection as DC Vote's executive director has drawn praise from a number of political leaders. "I believe that Ilir Zherka's strong background will be invaluable in building on the new enthusiasm for our rights we now are seeing in the Congress and in the community," said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

"The lack of voting representation in Congress is a civil rights issue for the people of Washington, D.C.," said Mayor Anthony Williams. "DC Vote understands this and is working to bring equality to District residents. I'm excited at the prospect of joining with Ilir Zherka to take our case to the Congress and to the American people."

"I am honored to join DC Vote," said Mr. Zherka. "I look forward to building on the work of so many of our volunteers, other organizations, and our elected officials. Increasingly, Americans are becoming aware of the plight of their fellow citizens in DC. We hope to educate a critical mass of people so that, ultimately, the Congress will right this historic wrong."

Mr. Zherka, is a life-long advocate and respected voice of civil, human and worker rights in both the national and international communities. Before joining DC Vote, Zherka served as President of the National Albanian American Council (NAAC). NAAC is a non-profit, advocacy organization dedicated to promoting democracy and human rights in the Balkans.

As co-founderof NAAC, Ilir helped it grow into an organization with chapters throughout the U.S. and offices in three cities. As president, Zherka led meetings with national leaders, including Secretary Powell and President Clinton. He has also served as Senior Legislative Officer for Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, Legislative Counsel to Congressman George Miller [D-Calif.], and as the National Director for Ethnic Outreach for the Clinton-Gore re-election campaign. Zherka earned his undergraduate degree with distinction from Cornell University and received a law degree from the University of Virginia

(For more information on our new Executive Director, please visit www.dcvote.org)

1st Hearings in Nearly 10 Years

Congress Hears Case for Voting Rights
On May 23, 2002, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs held a hearing regarding "Voting Representation in Congress for Citizens of the District of Columbia." On July 19, the House Government Refom Subcommitee on D.C. held a hearing on Delagate Norton's 'Taxation without Representation' bill. They were the first hearings on voting rights held in either body since 1993.

Next Generation of Voices

Essay Contest Engages Youth
D.C. schoolchildren made their voices heard this spring by participating in the first-ever DC Vote Essay Contest. The winner was 13 year-old Anthony Speight of Paul Junior H.S. Chelsea Turner of Deal Junior H.S. was second, and José Delcid, also of Paul J.H.S. came in third. (see quote from Anthony's essay below)

Residents Want Rights

Young Heros

"The people that decide what will happen to my city, my home, do not walk through my neighborhood, they do not see what I see, they do not understand the concerns of the public or the concerns of the citizens of the city."

- Anthony Speight, 13 year-old winner of DC Vote's first-ever essay contest

Hall of Shame: Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE)

Congressman Protects Us from Ourselves
Rep. Terry is seeking to overturn a D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustment decision against Girls and Boys Town USA, an organization that happens to be headquarted in his district. According to the Washington City Paper, in a letter to the leaders of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for the D.C., Rep. Terry wrote "The framers of the Constitution gave the United States Congress full authority to govern the District of Columbia. Congress sets its laws and has the authority and responsibility to correct any actions by the D.C. city government which it deems inappropriate, irrational, or harmful." A staff member declined comment, saying that the letter was intended for his colleague and not for the general public.

(DC Vote's 'Hall of Shame' highlights newsmakers who demonstrate their disdain for our basic civil rights)

10 Things You Can Do to Get Involved

Help Bring an End to Taxation Without Representation

1. Help spread the message. Put a free DC Vote bumper sticker on your car, bike, truck, window or scooter.

2. Volunteer! DC Vote is always looking for volunteers to help plan upcoming events.

3. Host a house party. Parties are a great way to raise money and awareness for DC Vote. Learn how you can host one at your place from our website.

4. Dress up your desktop. Download desktop wallpaper from www.dcvote.org and show your support for D.C. voting rights.

5. Show your support in MD and VA. Get 'Taxation without Representation' license plates whether you live in the District or not.
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6. Get the word out. Print out the "10 Things You Can Do to Promote Democracy in D.C." flyer from www.dcvote.org and distribute it to all of your friends and neighbors.

7. Know someone famous? Help to add their name, your name, or the name of your organization to our list of endorsers.

8. Join the Speakers Bureau. The DC Vote Speakers Bureau is a critical component of our effort to inform the public about the groundswell of support for our issue and to let them know how they can get involved.

9. Organize your campus. College students make great volunteers and activists. DC Vote is looking for college chapters across the country.

10. Make a donation. Make a donation to DC Vote online at www.dcvote.org or by calling (202) 462-6000. If you are a federal employee, you can designate DC Vote for the CFC - use #7240 for DC Vote!

Visit www.dcvote.org or call (202) 462-6000 for more details.

DC Vote Never Stops Working

We've Been All Over Town This Spring and Summer

4/15 Tax Day Rally on Farragut Square
5/15 Congress Day on Capitol Hill
5/19 Capitol Hill 10K on Capitol Hill
5/27 WWI Memorial Ceremony
5/29 Essay Contest Winners at the Capitol
6/9 Pride Festival Booth Downtown
7/4 July 4th Parade in the Palisades
9/8 Adams Morgan Day Festival

(See www.dcvote.org for information on upcoming events)

Who We Are and What We're Fighting For

DC Vote is a non-partisan, non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to educating the public and the Congress of the United States about the need for the citizens of the District of Columbia to enjoy full voting representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. DC Vote brings together any and all organizations, citizens, and other supporters of the principles enumerated in the Constitution that guarantee democratic representation of all citizens and assert the principle of "one person, one vote." DC Vote is open to all who wish to pursue those goals through nonviolent means and with respect for all members of our Coalition.

150 Volunteers Make Rounds to Ask Senators to Be Our Voice

Congress Day draws large crowds; supporters meet with Senators and Staff in 98 offices. Wednesday, May 15, 2002 dozens of volunteers and supporters of DC Vote joined Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Anthony Williams, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, NAACP, Common Cause, People for the American Way and Stand Up! For Democracy to educate the U.S. Senate on the lack of fundamental civil rights affecting the 572,000 people living in the nation's capital. Residents and supporters visited Senators' offices throughout the afternoon. This D.C. Citizens Voting Rights Congresional Education Day is the first time that these organizations have come together and coordinated efforts to educate the politicians who have the power to bring an end to the lack of democracy in the District of Columbia.

Volunteers turn out for Congress Day

Participants educated U.S. Senators about the continued disenfranchisement of District of Columbia residents who have no voting representation in the U.S. Congress. "I was born in the District of Columbia. As a fourth generation Washingtonian, my family and I have lived all our lives without a voice in Congress and without being able to participate like our fellow countrymen in our great democracy," said Frank Rich, Sr., former owner of Rich Shoes and a longtime activist for DC Vote. "Now is the time to let Congress know that we will no longer stand by and take it. As U.S. citizens, we're entitled to equal rights with all Americans."

Tax Day Defiance

Residents Still Burned Up Over Injustice
DC Vote, the Committee for the Capitol City, DC Democracy Fund, DC Rabble, Let's Free DC, Stand Up! For Democracy in D.C. Coalition and the Statehood Solidarity Committee joined together to protest two hundred years of taxation without representation. Several hundred protestors gathered in Farragut Square on tax day to burn copies of their tax forms - a symbolic act of defiance against the everyday injustice that persists in the District of Columbia. "There is no greater violation of our basic constitutional rights than the denial of our voice in Congress," said DC Vote Chairman Daniel Solomon. "Working together we will find a solution to end this injustice." Mayor Anthony Williams and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, both strong advocates for full voting rights, rallied the crowd with speeches on the need to continue fighting to bring representation to the District. Roused by the guest speakers and performances, residents from every area of the city gathered together to toss 1040 tax forms into the flames - a symbol of how our tax money goes up in smoke with no say in how it is spent.

Running for Our Rights

New Flag is Run Through the City DC Vote supporters are getting a tough workout as they promote the proposed D.C. flag around the city. In March, John Capozzi, former shadow Representative, and DC Vote volunteers began carrying the proposed flag while running in several road races, including the First Annual D.C. Marathon, the Georgetown 10K, and the Capitol Hill Classic 10K. The new flag would add the words, "No Taxation Without Representation" in white letters on the two red bars of the current D.C. flag. Supporters believe the flag will help increase local and national attention to the lack of voting rights in the District.

Proposed flag redesign

'Taxation' Bill Focuses on Voting Rights Change in Legislation; DC Vote Offers Support

DC Vote is pleased to support proposed changes that remove the taxation provision from the 'No Taxation Without Representation' legislation introduced by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Senator Joseph Lieberman. "These changes, which bring clarified focus to the Congressional voting rights element of the bill, will allow continued efforts to educate all members of Congress on the lack of fundamental civil rights for residents of the District of Coumbia," said Daniel Solomon, Board Chair of DC Vote.

Support DC Vote's Champions of Democracy 2002

Get Tickets or Make a Contribution Today!

When: Thursday, December 5, 2002

Where: Decatur House and Museum
748 Jackson Place, NW (across from the White House)

Sponsor ($5,000) 10 tickets, name in all printed and press materials and a half page ad in the printed program.

Patron ($2,500) 8 tickets, name in all printed materials and a quarter page ad in the printed program.

Benefactor ($1,000) 4 tickets, name in all printed materials and a businesscard-sized ad in the printed program.

Supporter ($500) 2 tickets, name on invitation and a listing in the printed program.

Friend ($250) 1 ticket and a listing in the printed program.

Individual Ticket ($100)

Name __________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________

City ___________________________________________________

District / State _____________________ Zip _________________

E-mail _________________________________________________

Home Phone ___________________ Work Phone _________________

Mail this information and your contribution to:

DC Vote, ATTN: Champions of Democracy, 1500 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009

Your participation in helping DC Vote honor this year's Champions of Democracy will make a major difference in DC Vote's ability to reach out across the District and the Nation to help end the denial of equal rights to District residents. Look for Champions of Democracy 2002 updates about honorees, donor opportunities, volunteer opportunities and the evening's program at www.dcvote.org or call 202.462.2000. DC Vote is a 501 (c) 3 organization. Contributions to DC Vote are tax-deductible.