Eleanor Holmes Norton: “I come to report significant progress on D.C. statehood and to thank my colleagues for passing my bill to make the…”

“I come to report significant progress on D.C. statehood and to thank my colleagues for passing my bill to make the District the 51st State. I especially thank Senator Gary Peters for holding a Senate hearing on the bill in June, only the second hearing in Senate history. I particularly appreciate the work of Senator Tom Carper, the lead Senate sponsor, for a record 45 Senate cosponsors. These efforts in the House and Senate have resulted in 54 percent of the American people now supporting D.C. statehood. D.C. is more than ready--indeed is overqualified--for statehood. Residents pay more Federal taxes per capita than any State, more taxes than 21 States, and has a larger gross domestic product than 17 States. The District of Columbia is well on its way to becoming our 51st State. ____________________”