Just recently, the UDC launched the Institute for Politics Policy and History and our guest, Former Mayor Sharon Pratt, will serve as the Founding Director and an Advisory Committee Member of the Institute for Politics Policy and History. It’s MISSION is rediscovering District of Columbia history – and its consequential role in determining contemporary politics and policy. The Institute of Politics Policy and History, housed at the University of the District of Columbia, one of the country’s oldest HBCUs, will encourage constructive, spirited dialogue around the issues of the day – illuminating these conversations with insights from our city and nation’s history. Tune in as we learn how this new Institute can reshape attitudes about our nation’s capital and help us become part of the national dialogue. http://ipph.org/
Former DC Mayor, Sharon Pratt
John J. Forster, Activities Coordinator for ‘Committee for the Capital City’
John Forster has been an advocate for D.C. Statehood for a long time. But what about the idea of achieving Statehood by joining an existing state? John is the Activities Coordinator for the group ‘Committee for the Capital City’ wants to reincorporate the District of Columbia back into Maryland (from whence it came) and become its own county call Douglass County Maryland.
With this new unique jurisdiction in Maryland, the District would honor one of its most famous residents: the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass. And it would retain its unique identity while gaining both full voting rights and full home rule by reuniting with Maryland.
Is this the best path to D.C. statehood? Join us and find out!
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Emancipation Day in Washington DC
Emancipation Day is the only official holiday in the District of Columbia to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act, which president Abraham Lincoln signed on April 16, 1862. It is in commemoration of Lincoln buying all 3,400 slaves in the District in 1862. It is the only compensated emancipation in US history. He did this as a prelude to the Emancipation Proclamation which came 9 months later.
A wide range of events are arranged in Washington DC to mark Emancipation Day. These are spread throughout the month of April and include exhibitions, public discussions, presentations of historic documents, the laying of wreaths, concerts and poetry readings. The events aim to educate a broad spectrum of people about the history of the municipality of the District of Columbia in general and slavery in particular. Attention is also paid to the African origin of many slaves and racial issues in modern American society.
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Kathleen Gomez, CEO/Founder of ‘Candidates Platform’
One of the most daunting obstacles for candidates to overcome is getting their message communicated to the voters. Many people can easily access information about events thousands of miles away but have little if no information on who is running for state and local elected offices in their community. Kathleen Gomez’s ‘Candidates Platform’ gives a place for the common person who wants to get involved to connect their campaign with the voter. It offers a simple easy to use interface where a candidate can interact with their constituents, link all other social media, post videos and schedules and hear back from the voter. They would also provide technical support for any questions or problems the candidate may encounter.
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Washington DC Admission Act
Our topics this week include the President’s first speech to Congress, the economy and the new bill for D.C. Statehood called the ‘Washington, DC Admission Act’ introduced by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to make Washington, DC the 51st state. The bill introduced in the 115th Congress will reflect the statehood efforts of the New Columbia Statehood Commission and the historic support of 85.6 percent of voters on the November ballot question. This is the first time that the bill will be called the “Washington, DC Admission Act” to reflect the new name selected by the DC Council.
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