Political Quotes

“This is the culmination really of years of determination and dedication on the part of the delegate and gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and of the chairman of the D.C. authorizing committee, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis). This is in no way critical of the D.C. Financial Control Board, but it is the culmination of a vision. It had to start with fiscal responsibility. It had to be bolstered by economic opportunity. But it also had to include responsible stewardship. We have that responsible stewardship, that leadership, in Mayor Williams. This is a reflection of the fact that those who have worked tirelessly for the District of Columbia truly believe in democracy, truly believe that the citizens of the District of Columbia are capable of governing themselves. This gives them that opportunity, and if in the future we hope to hold the D.C. government responsible for its actions, we can only do that by giving them the authority to make those decisions. You cannot have one without the other. You cannot hold them responsible without giving them the authority to make decisions on their own. This gives them that authority. This is the least we can do for the District of Columbia, and, again, this is what it was all about. It happened a lot sooner than many people expected, but I know that it is what the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) had every confidence would occur, as did the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis).”