Eleanor Holmes Norton: “I come to the floor this evening to commemorate 44 years of home rule. The Home Rule Act was signed by President Richard…”

“I come to the floor this evening to commemorate 44 years of home rule. The Home Rule Act was signed by President Richard Nixon on Christmas Eve 44 years ago after the Home Rule Act was passed by a bipartisan vote. Although it was a Democratic Congress, I think it is worth noting what President Nixon said in his signing speech. I am going to quote a few of his sentences: ``As a longtime supporter of self-government for the District of Columbia, I am pleased to sign into law a measure which is of historic significance for the citizens of our Nation's Capital. I first voted for home rule as a Member of the House of Representatives in 1948, and I have endorsed the enactment of home rule legislation during both my terms as President.'' Then he went on to say: ``It is particularly appropriate to assure those persons who live in our Capital City rights the privileges which have long been enjoyed by most of their countrymen.'' The bill enjoyed bipartisan support throughout those congressional deliberations. Mr. Speaker, surely we can get back to that moment. The District of Columbia is proud and pleased that it has been steeped in American history ever since the site of the Nation's Capital was chosen by George Washington himself. We are proud to be not only hometown D.C., but the Capital of our country. So this evening, I want to speak about those two roles and about the role of Congress as we move past December 24, 44 years ago--1973--to today, when D.C.…”