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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 978 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 978

     Recognizing on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, the denial of full 
  participation in their Government through statehood by active duty 
servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their 
        families who are residents of the District of Columbia.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 22, 2020

 Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                 the Committee on Oversight and Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
     Recognizing on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, the denial of full 
  participation in their Government through statehood by active duty 
servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their 
        families who are residents of the District of Columbia.

Whereas on the last Monday of May, our Nation observes Memorial Day, a Federal 
        holiday commemorating the men and women who died in the service of their 
        country;
Whereas the service and sacrifice of active duty servicemembers, National Guard 
        members, reservists, veterans, and their families are unparalleled;
Whereas a voluntary military gives the American people the privilege and honor 
        of being protected by active duty servicemembers, National Guard 
        members, and reservists, instead of through use of conscription;
Whereas active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, and 
        veterans have risked life and limb to protect the American people and 
        uphold the rights and freedoms of the people of the United States;
Whereas approximately 30,000 veterans are residents of the District of Columbia 
        and do not have voting rights and full representation in the Congress of 
        the United States or full self-governance in the District of Columbia;
Whereas residents of the District of Columbia fought in the Revolutionary War, 
        which resulted in the creation of the United States, under the slogan of 
        ``no taxation without representation'', and have served in every war 
        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 
        that 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 
        that 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 
        that 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 
        that war;
Whereas almost 200,000 District of Columbia residents have served in the 
        military since World War I;
Whereas Congress should pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would 
        grant full and equal voting representation, as well as democratic 
        control over local affairs, to the residents of the District of Columbia 
        by making Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, the 51st State; and
Whereas the Washington, D.C. Admission Act has a record 223 cosponsors in the 
        House and a record 35 cosponsors in the Senate: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) District of Columbia residents have earned full and 
        equal representation in the United States House of 
        Representatives and United States Senate; and
            (2) on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, the House of 
        Representatives recognizes that active duty servicemembers, 
        National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their 
        families who are residents of the District of Columbia deserve 
        passage of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act by the House of 
        Representatives in 2020.
                                 <all>
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