Norton Introduces Resolution Honoring D.C. Veterans, Who Served Their Nation Despite Being Denied a Vote and Full Home Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Because District of Columbia veterans uniquely serve without a vote in Congress, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) took two actions to commemorate Veterans Day, which is on Saturday, November 11, 2017.
Norton introduced a resolution recognizing D.C.’s 30,000 veterans and their families, condemning the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for D.C. veterans and their families, and calling for statehood for the District to make D.C. veterans and other residents whole.
Yesterday, she spoke on the House floor in honor of D.C. veterans, and asked Congress to erase taxation without representation. In her remarks, Norton said, “Do it for District residents. But on this Veterans Day, I ask you to do it for the 30,000 D.C. veterans who deserve equal rights.”
Norton’s resolution is below.
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the denial of full voting rights in Congress for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents.
Whereas on November 11th, our Nation observes Veterans Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the men and women who served and sacrificed for their country;
Whereas the service and sacrifice of all American veterans must be recognized;
Whereas the service of approximately 30,000 residents of the District of Columbia in the armed forces is unparalleled because they served without full voting rights in Congress;
Whereas residents of the District of Columbia fought to create the United States, fighting for the Revolutionary War slogan of ‘no taxation without representation’, and have served in every war fought by the United States since;
Whereas 635 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War I, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 3 different States during the War;
Whereas 3,575 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War II, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 4 different States during the War;
Whereas 547 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Korean War, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 8 different States during the War;
Whereas 243 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Vietnam War, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 10 different States during the War;
Whereas almost 200,000 District of Columbia residents have served in the military since World War I;
Whereas residents of the District of Columbia, including active duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans, continue to be denied full voting rights in the House of Representatives and the Senate; and
Whereas H.R. 1291, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, would grant full and equal voting rights as well as democratic control over local affairs to the District of Columbia by making it the 51st State: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemns the denial of voting rights in Congress and full home rule for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calls for statehood for the District of Columbia.
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