Photo by Bullneck
For years, many have rallied behind the idea of making D.C. a state. An idea that, while still seems very far off, is closer to realization than it has ever been before.
That’s due to the lawmakers, politicians, advocates, and citizens who have made it their mission and dedicated their efforts into inaugurating D.C. as an official state in the U.S. DC Vote—an educational and advocacy organization that seeks to end taxation without representation—has been at the forefront of the battle to give D.C. full voting recognition in Congress and full democracy since 1998.
As part of their annual “Champions of Democracy” gala, DC Vote will honor several people tomorrow night “who have gone above and beyond in creating fair opportunities for global citizens to be created equal,” DC Vote executive director Kimberly Perry tells DCist.
Among the honorees at tomorrow night’s awards gala at the Mayflower Hotel, is Rep. Jose E. Serrano (D-N.Y.), who has been a “tireless advocate for the District of Columbia in the quest for statehood,” Perry says. Serrano is a ranking member of the House Committee on Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, where he’s often fought for District rights.
Another honoree, Civil Rights leader Mary Ann Stein, “began her career fighting for civil rights as an organizer in South Carolina in the 1960s,” Perry says. She’s now an international philanthropist and president of the Moriah Fund, a private foundation seeking to promote human rights and democracy, and to empower those who are disenfranchised.
Finally, DC Vote will also honor a group of D.C. veterans who, last year, advocated for Congress to approve a new provision that would require the armed services to display the D.C. flag whenever flags of the 50 states are displayed. According to Perry, “the District of Columbia’s flag was not raised and recognized at military ceremonies, at least it wasn’t until [this] group of D.C. veterans enlisted the help of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.” Together they successfully advocated for this provision. While it still may be a while before D.C. is officially recognized as a state, having its flag represented among the other 50 states at military events is certainly a step in the right direction.
“We are just pleased to be acknowledging all of these honorees because they are so deserving and so inspirational to really anybody,” Perry says, “but particularly people in office that fight for equal rights.”
