I was shocked, disappointed and angered when I read my newly arrived copy of he “District of Columbia Voter Guide Primary September 12, 2006” booklet. Why? In reading the statements submitted by the 7 candidates (5 Democrats and 2 DC Statehood Green) for the positions of DC United States Representative or DC United States Senator only ONE candidate mentioned the word “statehood”!

Don’t they know their history? As a result of the DC Statehood Constitutional Convention held in 1982, the people of Washington, DC residents created the elected offices of two U.S. senators and one U.S. representative to lobby Congress for statehood for tbe District of Columbia.

In 1990, three candidates were elected, DC Representative Charles Moreland and DC Statehood Senators - Florence Pendleton and the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Their mission was made clear by the DC Statehood Constitutional Convention held in 1982, two years after the people of Washington, DC approved a statehood initiative. These positions were created solely and very specifically to lobby the United States Congress for DC statehood. This method of lobbying to become a state had been used before. As then Senator Jesse Jackson said: ''Eight states have used the Tennessee Plan…a plan to elect statehood senators to petition the government for admission as state. All eight states succeeded.''

Do these six candidates seeking these very important positions believe in statehood? They had better because they are mandated to advocate for DC statehood by the DC statehood initiative voted for by the people of the District of Columbia and ratified by Congress. It’s the law, folks! Don’t they believe that the residents of Washington, DC are entitled to the rights to local self-determination, control of their local budget without ongressional interference, locally elected judges and a locally controlled court system and full representation in the United States Congress? If they do – the word ‘STATEHOOD’ should be in every sentence they speak, write and think…..otherwise…..why are they running?

Anise Jenkins

Stand Up! for Democracy in DC Coalition

202-232-2500

FREE DC! STAND UP! FREE DC! STAND UP! FREE DC! STATEHOOD NOW!