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Pelosi Remarks at Press Event on H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act

June 16, 2020
Contact: Speaker's Press Office,
202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C. and others for a press event in support of H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would finally grant the District of Columbia statehood. Below are the Speaker's remarks:
Speaker Pelosi. Thank you very much, Mr. Leader, for bringing us together this morning for this important occasion in American history. You began with the history of our country. I will proceed in that manner, as well.
Our Constitution begins with the beautiful preamble, ‘We the People,' setting out our Founders' vison of a government of, by and for the people of the United States. Yet, for more than two centuries, the residents of Washington D.C., the District of Columbia, have been denied their right to fully participate in their democracy. Instead, they have been dealt the injustice of paying taxes, proudly serving in uniform in great numbers and contributing to the economic power of our nation while being denied the full enfranchisement which is their right.
In recent days, we have seen a disturbing physical manifestation of that injustice when federal agents and out-of-state National Guard troops were deployed against peaceful protesters in the District, without residents' approval.
For these and other reasons spelled out very specifically by the distinguished House Democratic Leader, Mr. Hoyer, I am pleased to join my colleague, the Leader Hoyer and Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton as we prepare to fight a historic injustice by passing legislation to finally grant the District of Columbia statehood.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton has been a patron saint of D.C. statehood since she came to Congress and she has built a historic support for the statehood bill.
About a few weeks ago it was, we were gathered in the Capitol because it was the 100 year anniversary of the House of Representatives giving women the right – granting women the right to vote. We – this year was the 101 – it was 101. This year will observe the 100th anniversary of the completion of it, but that House Resolution – that bill began the process. 101 years.
I mention that because that day, we came together and honored Eleanor Holmes Norton for the leader that she has been for women's rights in our country, but also because of the vote. The vote that she does not have, that she must have and that we are gathering to correct today. So, in every way about the vote, historically, for women, for the District of Columbia, Eleanor Holmes Norton has been a guiding star to all of us.
And from Washington, what an honor it is for us to welcome the very distinguished Mayor Muriel Bowser. She has made us all so very, very proud with her distinguished courage and eloquence about justice. And just – when she speaks, she tells why the District of Columbia should be a state. We're pleased to welcome her always, Madam Mayor.
Council President Mendelson, welcome to you, as well. I look forward to your remarks. Senator, good to see you, here as well.
I just want to say this: this is personal for me. When I was born, my father was a Member of Congress from Baltimore, Maryland. He was the Chairman of the District of Columbia Appropriations Subcommittee, which, in those days, made him the unofficial mayor of Washington because of the authority that that committee had over the District of Columbia. He did not agree with that. He was a big proponent of home rule, so I like to say that statehood for the District of Columbia is in my DNA, from my father. And that is why I take personal interest in this, as well as an official interest.
This deprivation of statehood is unjust, unequal, undemocratic and unacceptable. That is why, next week, as Steny – the distinguished Leader has said, H.R. 51 – H.R. 51, write that down, H.R. 51 – Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton's Washington, D.C. Admission Act to admit the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth into the union, to use the full name.
This will be historic. It will be a historic vote. Neither chamber of Congress has yet passed the statehood bill, until next week. And we will continue our work to protect every American's right to be heard at the ballot box and on the Floor of the House and of the Senate.
And now, it is my honor to yield to the distinguished author of the resolution, leader in our country on voting rights for all, starting with the District of Columbia, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton.
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