Political Quotes

“I very much appreciate the action of the chairman of the full committee in moving this bill forward. Had it not moved, there would have been a cascading effect on a referendum that is required in order to settle the matter of the school board in the District of Columbia, the central issue facing the City at this time. The School Governance Charter Amendment Act of 2000 waives the congressionally mandated 35-day layover period for a D.C. referendum that will be considered by the voters in the special election of June 27. The referendum restructures the D.C. School Board to have five elected and four appointed members. This local legislation is a result of an agreement between D.C. Mayor Tony Williams and the City Council. If the referendum passes, H.R. 4387 would waive the layover period so that candidates can seek signatures and run for the new board without legal challenge. This waiver is necessary because petitions for signature will be available on July 7 and the expiration of the 35-legislative-day congressional layover period may not come until early October. The waiver of the layover period will allow elections of the new school board to proceed without legal challenge on November 7. H.R. 4387 is also noncontroversial and was unanimously passed in subcommittee and full committee. It has the full support of the mayor and the City Council of the District of Columbia. I strongly urge passage.”