[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 91 (Thursday, July 13, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DISTRICT ATTORNEY 
                       ESTABLISHMENT ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2006

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the District of Columbia 
District Attorney Establishment Act of 2006, continuing a series of 
bills that I will introduce this session to ensure a continuation of 
the process of transition to full democracy and self-government for the 
residents of the District of Columbia. This bill is the ninth in our 
``Free and Equal DC'' series of bills to eliminate anti-Home Rule 
legislation and to remedy obsolete or inappropriate congressional 
intervention into the local affairs of the District of Columbia or 
denials of federal benefits or recognition routinely granted to other 
jurisdictions.
  This bill will establish an Office of District Attorney for the 
District of Columbia, to be headed by a District Attorney elected by DC 
residents. Accordingly, this bill would move the city a quantum leap 
toward full home rule for the District of Columbia and equality with 
other Americans. This bill effectuates a November 2002 referendum where 
DC voters overwhelmingly (82 percent) approved a locally elected D.A.
  This important legislation is designed to put the District of 
Columbia on par with every other local jurisdiction in the country by 
allowing DC residents to elect an independent District Attorney to 
prosecute local criminal and civil matters now handled by the U.S. 
Attorney, a federal official. Instead the new District Attorney would 
become the city's chief legal officer. As presently constituted, the 
U.S. Attorney's office in the District is the largest in the country 
only because it serves mainly as the local city prosecutor. That office 
needs to be freed up to do security and other federal work particularly 
in the post 9-11 nation's capital.
  There is no issue of greater importance to our citizens and no issue 
on which residents have less say here than the prosecution of local 
crimes. A U.S. Attorney has no business in the local criminal affairs 
of local jurisdictions. No other citizens in the United States are 
treated so unfairly on an issue of such major importance. This bill 
would simply make the D.A. accountable to the people who elect him or 
her as elsewhere in the country.
  In addition to issues of democracy and self government, such as 
congressional voting rights and legislative and budget autonomy that 
District residents are entitled to as American citizens, residents are 
determined to achieve each and every other element of home rule. 
Amending the Home Rule Act with a local D.A. provision would be an 
important development toward our goal of achieving true self-
government. I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.

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