[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 41 (Monday, April 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E525-E526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ELIMINATE TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 15, 2002

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, let this body recognize, in its own 
Congressional Record, where Congress draws the attention of the world 
to the important issues of the day, the actions of a representative 
group of citizens of the District of Columbia. On April 15, faced with 
the denial of rights by this House and by the Senate, these citizens 
will burn copies of their United States government tax forms for the 
same reason their ancestors started the Revolutionary War 227 years 
ago.
  April 15 is but one of the many days that mark the insistence of this 
government on 100 percent of the obligations of citizenship from D.C. 
residents while the same government fails in its obligation to 
reciprocate with the basic rights every government owes to taxpaying 
citizens. September 11, which so recently called D.C. citizens to war, 
is another such memorable date. December 7, when D.C.'s young men and 
women responded to Pearl Harbor, is yet another. Even more than our 
taxes, our contributions in sacrifices by the men and women of the 
District, who have fought and died for their country tell a unique 
story: In World War I, more D.C. casualties than 3 states; in World War 
II, more D.C. casualties than 4 states; in Vietnam, more D.C. 
casualties than 10 states.
  These lives given for our country are trivialized when the Congress 
remains unmoved by our just demand to remove taxation with 
representation. The same Congress has no hesitation in taking our 
money, more per capita than from any residents except the residents of 
the state of Connecticut, while at the same time denying us a vote in 
the Congress that votes to impose these taxes on us. The government of 
the United States enriches itself with funds from the fruits of our 
labor. In return, the government owes us the vote in the Congress of 
the United States. We pay. We want to be paid with voting 
representation.
  Expect to hear from us and other Americans often, the next occasion, 
a month from now on May 15, on D.C. Citizens Lobby Day for 
Congressional Voting Rights, focusing first on the Senate. We say to 
the Congress: Don't expect us to allow you to claim for yourself the 
title of guardian of democracy in the world while denying full 
democracy to your own citizens here at the very seat of our government. 
Nor should you take satisfaction from the fact that most D.C. citizens 
will pay or have paid their taxes this year. They pay under protest, 
but they will not pay with their silence, their dignity, or their 
rights. There is no quid pro quo for full representation in the 
Congress that votes to tell us what to do and how much to pay while 
denying our right to vote on what to do and how much to pay. There is 
only one coin of the realm we will accept. We must

[[Page E526]]

have our vote in the House and the Senate. We put you on notice in your 
own official record that we are coming straight at you for our vote. 
Look for us on May 15.

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