Eleanor Holmes Norton: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. I didn't know until he indicated he had gone to Howard University here; that is just…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I didn't know until he indicated he had gone to Howard University here; that is just another plus mark because he has already got a lot of pluses as far as I am concerned. Madam Speaker, the rule before us for the D.C. statehood bill is no ordinary rule. It is the prelude to the passage of a historic bill, and I use those words advisedly. For the 219 years since the District of Columbia first became the capital of these United States, countless bills that have deeply affected D.C. residents have been enacted not only without their consent, but without their participation. Indeed, for the greater part of the existence of the Nation's capital, there was neither representation in either the House or the Senate nor even the right of District residents to govern themselves locally. Local home rule. In other words, the residents of our Nation's capital were excluded entirely from American democracy for most of its existence as the capital. Nevertheless, D.C. residents have always paid the same Federal taxes as other Americans, today ranked number one in Federal taxes paid, and have fought in all of the Nation's wars, including the war that created the United States of America. Throughout its existence, the country has flattered itself by saluting itself as a democracy. With the passage of this rule and then the D.C. statehood bill, that flattery at least will be deserved. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Bass).…”