Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nations Capital

Voice
From the Executive Director
Dear Friend: At DC Vote, we rely on people. We are a small organization that accomplishes mighty feats, but we never go it alone. At every turn in our nine year history, we have been fortunate to have volunteers, coalition partners and donors infusing the movement with abundant energy, nationwide contacts and financial resources. With the help of others, we gathered 500 citizen lobbyists on a frigid February morning to educate Hill staffers. We turned out 5,000 marchers who demanded the vote at the Voting Rights March on April 16. We mobilized thousands of citizens across the country to contact members of Congress and Senators, urging support for the DC Voting Rights Act. With the help of others, we moved the members of the House of Representatives to pass the DC Voting Rights Act on April 19. With the help of others, we have achieved what some said were impossible goals. Take a look through our newsletter to see all we have done to arrive at this critical point in the movement. I invite you to join us any way you can so that we can fulfill the promise of democracy. Please consider making a donation to become a DC Vote member. If you have already sent a gift this year, please consider giving again. We promise to put every dollar to good use educating Americans out in the states on DCs denial of democracy. Our fight in the Senate calls for more resources, and we rely on people who care about ending taxation without representation in the nations capital. DC Votes stars are aligning, and democracy is on the rise. Please join us. We rely on you and thank you. Sincerely,

SUMMER 2007 www.dcvote.org

Jack Kemp, LCCRs Nancy Zirkin, Ilir Zherka and Mayor Fenty declare an aggressive strategy for the DC VRAs next steps.

One of DC Votes tiniest advocates makes the biggest impression at a community festival.

The DC Vote staff gather together before visiting House offices at Congress Day 2007.

Ilir Zherka Executive Director

People Houses

Let DC Vot e in
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Intern Josh Bumpus talks strategy for the Voting Rights March with local students and teachers at Bens Chili Bowl.

Mayor Fenty and members of the DC Vote Board mingle at Champions of Democracy 2006.

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SUMMER 2007 www.dcvote.org

DC Voting Rights Act Passes the House

On April 19, the House of Representatives voted 241-177 in favor of the DC Voting Rights Act. This marks the first time in a generation that the House of Representatives passed a bill to give the nearly 600,000 tax-paying American citizens living in the District of Columbia a voting member of Congress. Heres a glimpse into some of the work we did to get the bill to this historic point:
City officials applaud members of Congress moving the DC VRA through committee.

Cosponsors Added to Bill Following Congress Day 2007

Nearly 500 people turned out to educate members of Congress and their staff about the DC Voting Rights Act on Congress Day in February. Citizens from all eight wards of Washington, DC, and supporters from around the region visited nearly all the offices in the U.S. House of Representatives. Teams included senior citizens, elected officials, students and community activists. Advocates with red and blue Let DC Vote buttons were found in offices, in the halls and on elevators. Special thanks to Verizon for donating the breakfast. Verizon provided the morning fuel for our citizen advocates to hit the halls of Congress with gusto.

Law Professors Affirm Constitutionality

Legal scholars from universities around the country signed on to a DC Vote letter supporting the constitutionality of congressional voting rights for the District of Columbia. Sheryll D. Cashin and Viet Dinh of Georgetown University Law Center, Charles J. Ogletree of Harvard Law School and Jamin Raskin of American University Washington College of Law were among the first co-signers of the letter to the Hill. Signed by 25 legal scholars, the letter states, As law professors and scholars, we would like to address these questions and put to rest any concerns about the constitutionality of extending the right of representation to residents of the District. DC Vote sent the letter to members of Congress to quell any lingering constitutionality concerns.

Witnesses swear in for a hearing on constitutionality. All agree its time to correct DCs injustice.

Ilir Zherka is backed by the mayor and city council while announcing DC Votes advocacy approach.

Leaders from every ward of Washington, DC draw together for Congress Day 2007.

Del. Norton confers with Rep. Davis before a DC VRA committee hearing.

Bruce Spiva, Rep. Scott, Mayor Fenty, Prof. Dinh and Del. Norton prepare for committee.

3 Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nations Capital Finding Partnerships Across Party Lines
More than 20 former elected and appointed officials from both sides of the aisle have come together in support of the DC Voting Rights Act. Dignitaries like Jack Kemp and J.C. Watts joined with Tom Daschle and Kweisi Mfume to go on record in support of the DC VRA. The DC Vote coalition brought together this group of distinguished individuals who all agree on the fundamental necessity of democracy. Committee during a hearing in May as a striking display of solidarity for the DC Voting Rights Act. During a part of the testimony read by DC Vote Board Chair Bruce Spiva, Washingtonians quietly rose to demonstrate to members of Congress that real people are affected by the denial of a vote in the District of Columbia.

Voice

An Evening to Celebrate
Just days after the Voting Rights March, the DC VRA passed the House and DC Vote took time to celebrate this hardfought victory with our volunteers and allies, including Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. We thank John Boyle at Martys Restaurant for donating the space and food for the festivities.

Volunteers, including friends from DC for Democracy, prepare to visit Senators for DC Votes Lobby Day.

Silent Protest
Dozens of Washingtonians, including Mayor Adrian Fenty, the shadow delegation, and DC Vote supporters stood before the House Judiciary

DC Voting Rights Act Senate Action

Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Bob Bennett (R-UT) introduced the DC VRA in the Senate on May 1. Followed by two Senate committee hearings, Lieberman held a mark-up in the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on June 13. DC Vote applauds the 9-1 bipartisan vote in favor of the DC VRA. All the Democrats on the committee voted for the bill. They were joined by three key Republicans: Senators Susan Collins (ME), Norm Coleman (MN) and George Voinovich (OH). The mark-up is a resounding victory for DC voting rights. DC Vote and our coalition worked aggressively to secure these votes, and we are thrilled to see that our efforts paid off.

Senators comment on the unusually packed hearing room during the DC VRA mark-up.

Del. Norton and Ilir Zherka congratulate DC Vote staff and supporters at the DC VRA victory party.

Chairman Coyners prevails over a DC VRA mark-up in the House Judiciary Committee.

Key legislators and advocates address the media after the DC VRA passes the House.

Nancy Zirkin, Ilir Zherka and Jim Moore celebrate once the bill clears the House Floor.

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SUMMER 2007 www.dcvote.org

Voting Rights March Makes History

The photos from the Voting Rights March speak for themselves. Thousands turned outas many as 5,000and Congress listened. We marched from Freedom Plaza to the Capitol to demand the vote and within days, the DC VRA passed the House. The turnout was unbelievable especially given the gale-force winds and unseasonably cold weather. Unions, veterans, students, seniors, international groups, citizen action groups and hundreds of our coalition partners spanned across Pennsylvania Avenue as they marched. Countless organizations and individuals made significant contributions to the success of the March. We thank the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights for cosponsoring the event with us. We appreciate Common Cause and People For the American Way for allowing us to phone bank from their offices night after night. We give special thanks to Mayor Fenty and the DC government for all they did to make the day a success. Most of all, we thank every individual who marched to demand the vote. Our generous sponsors include: Akridge Bens Chili Bowl Busboys and Poets Comcast City Living Source DC Chamber of Commerce DC Professional Taxicab Drivers Association DC for Democracy DCist Forest City Washington Gertrude Stein Democratic Club Jenner & Block LLC Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO The Meltzer Group TV One Twenty-First Century Democrats Verizon

5 Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nations Capital Print, TV and Radio Round Out Campaign
With images of life-saving firefighters and a lifelong public school teacher, DC Vote produced print ads that were viewed by hundreds of thousands of visitors in targeted Metro stations and bus shelters. Chandrai Jackson-Saunders, the counselor and teacher featured in one of the print pieces, was so impressed with the message that she produced postcards of the image and mailed them to hundreds of her colleagues. DC firefighter Larry Chapman inspired a New York Times columnist to travel to DC and tell his story. Satellite media tours and audio news releases were produced with Delegate Norton and Jack Kemp as spokespeople on talk radio programs across the country. DC Vote produced a series of videos spotlighting everyday Washingtonians to tell the story of DCs unique relationship with Congress. They feature real DC residents who explain that Washington isn't made up of only politicians and monuments. These paid placements have generated more than 30 million impressions nationwide.

Voice

Extra! Extra!
As the word continues to spread, the DC voting rights movement is taking the spotlight in a spread of editorials, news stories and op-eds: New York Times Democratizing the Nation's Capital Editorial 6/21/07 Democracy Inches Along at Home Editorial 4/18/07 Foiled by the Gun Lobby Editorial 3/28/07 Los Angeles Times Give D.C. the Vote Editorial 6/19/07 A Vote for a Vote for DC by Nicole Gaouette & Johanna Neuman 4/20/07 Give DC Representation Editorial 3/23/07 CBS Evening News with Katie Couric Taxation Sans Representation 6/1/07 The Colbert Report Interview with Rep. Davis of Virginia 5/3/07 Interviews with Del. Norton 4/24/07, 3/22/07, 7/27/06 NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Washington, D.C., Fights for Voting Rights by Kwame Holman 4/17/07 Visit www.dcvote.org to read more.

Another Summer in the City

This summer our offices at 15th and U Streets have been filled with old faces and a few new ones. George Washington University senior Josh Bumpus, an intern since September 2006, is staying on for the summer. Grinnell College junior Molly McArdle, our summer 2006 intern, is back for another season. Wesleyan University graduate Nell Schaffer volunteers weekly, and Phoebe King, a senior at Maret, joined the DC Vote team for her senior internship. The interns have been setting up meetings with Senators, organizing events, and speaking to students around the city.

Increased Gifts Create Possibilities

The philanthropic community has stepped up to help DC Vote expand our activities in this critical year. In January, the Public Welfare Foundation awarded DC Vote a one-year grant of $250,000, the largest weve ever received. At a special briefing held in March by the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers, the Meyer Foundation and Trellis Fund announced renewed support at increased levels. The Arca Foundation also responded with a new grant of $50,000. Were grateful to our foundation partners for recognizing that a vote in Congress can be used to leverage resources for DC across a variety of philanthropic interests, including education, public health, economic development and the environment.

Chandrai Jackson-Saunders prepares for her photo shoot as an everyday Washingtonian who is denied voting rights.

A TV commercial featuring boardmember Marque Chambliss ran in targeted media markets across the country.

Traffic on www.dcvote.org skyrocketed in the month of April to more than 160,000 views.

Interns Josh Bumpus and Molly McArdle have 16 months of DC Vote experience between them. Interns? More like experts!

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Champions of Democracy Awards Reception
On Tuesday, October 24, DC Vote held its Sixth Annual Champions of Democracy Awards Reception at the Madison Hotel. The DC Vote Board, donors, supporters, volunteers, elected officials and members of our coalition celebrated DC Votes stars aligning. DC Vote was privileged to honor the following Champions of Democracy: The Honorable Jack Kemp, Former Congressman & Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Carol Thompson Cole, Managing Partner, Venture Philanthropy Partners Charles Miller, Partner, Covington & Burling We appreciate everyone who contributed to an evening so magical, our success was written in the stars. Host Mario Morino Jane & Daniel Solomon David Steinberg Benefactor Elizabeth A. Allen Cathy Hughes, Founder/Chairperson, Radio One, Inc. Foster & Associates Eric Koenig & Amy Schwartz The Meltzer Group Pepco Joshua Pokempner The Private Bank at Bank of America Radio One, Inc. Patron Akridge Diane & Norman Bernstein Covington & Burling LLP Richard & Lois England Jenner & Block LLP Lorie S. Masters & Jack Rose Lloyd Leonard & Elizabeth Wiener Lovell & Jack Olender Royal Kennedy Rodgers & Johnathan Rodgers Bruce Spiva & Anna Gelpern Spiva & Hartnett LLP Joe Sternlieb & Linda Singer The Summit Fund of Washington United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 400

SUMMER 2007 www.dcvote.org

Clockwise: Attorney Charles A. Miller steps up to receive his Champion of Democracy Award. Carol Thompson Cole delivers remarks to a captivated audience. Champion of Democracy Jack Kemp receives his award for outstanding advocacy work with the DC VRA.

The DC Vote staff enjoy a job well done following Champions of Democracy.

Frank Rich Sr., Elizabeth Rich and Kevin Kiger exchange a few laughs in the Silent Auction room.

DC Vote Board members Daniel Solomon and John Klenert discuss the voting rights movement.

7 Working to End Taxation Without Representation in the Nations Capital Youth March Extra Mile
High school and college students from across the DC metro area poured onto the streets on April 16 to make their voices heard at the Voting Rights March. The tremendous turnout of local youth was the culmination of months of hard work put in by local students from the School Without Walls, the University of the District of Columbia, the George Washington University, Howard University, and elsewhere. Students and teachers held monthly meetings at Bens Chili Bowl and School Without Walls to plan for the March and decorate posters. Dozens of student volunteers came out on April 16 to help pass out t-shirts, register participants and set up equipment. These young activists added an extra boost of energy and enthusiasm at the Voting Rights March.

Voice

We Need Your Support!

In recent months, weve undertaken a groundbreaking public awareness campaign, organized a historic Voting Rights March, doubled the size of the DC Vote coalition, and kept the DC Voting Rights Act moving through five congressional hearings as well as a successful vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. We need your help to maintain this intense pace of outreach, education and advocacy. Please help us make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to gain voting representation for the people of DC. Please make a generous, taxdeductible contribution to DC Vote today. You can make a secure online donation at www.dcvote.org/join or use the enclosed envelope to send us your contribution.

Hundreds of students demand the vote at the largest DC voting rights demonstration in history.

Special Thanks, Acknowledgements & Recognition

DC Vote is proud to welcome Ed Davis and Andy Shallal as our most recent board members and Danny Rose as our new Development Director. DC Vote appreciates our many supporters who help us with pro bono services, meeting space and event assistance. DC Vote extends special thanks to Bens Chili Bowl, Busboys and Poets, Common Cause, DCist.com, Rob Getzschman, Jenner & Block LLP , L & M Production Design Group, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, League of Women Voters, Legal Seafood, Levendis Law Group PLLC, Martys, People For the American Way, Colin Stewart, Worthy Foes and www.IndieRoots.org. We are especially grateful to Kathryn Allen, Liz Allen, Marque Chambliss, Larry Chapman, Paul Davis Jr., Stacey Gates, Alan Heymann, Chandrai Jackson-Saunders, Sam McCoy, Darleen Meskill, Kathryn Ray, Lindy Russell-Heymann, Bruce Spiva, Mark Schaefer, Myrna Sislen and Eleni Vageltos for their participation in our national public awareness campaign; and to Reuben Hameed, Cedric Kinlow, Eugene D. Kinlow II, Tonya Vidal Kinlow, Robyn Kurland, Collin Lawson, Ashley Oubre, Marian Patten, Bonita Russell, Laura Segal and Misha Segal for their exceptional help. Students and educational institutions have always been an important part of DC Votes outreach. Special thanks go to Lafayette Elementary School, the DC Young Suffragists, School Without Walls and the University of the District of Columbia. Thousands of participants, dozens of partners and hundreds of supporters made Aprils Voting Rights March an amazing success. Special thanks go to Ellen Buchman, James Day, John Johnson, Phil Pannell, Linda Paris, Neil Richardson, Christian Samuelson, Stephanie Scott and Erica Swanson for their extraordinary work.

DC Vote is a 501 (c) (3) educational and advocacy organization whose mission is to secure full voting representation in Congress for the residents of the District of Columbia.

The VoiceDC Votes Newsletter Editor: Kevin Kiger Associate Editor: Katie Reardon Contributors: Josh Bumpus & Molly McArdle 2007 DC Vote

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Student Summer Send Off
DC Vote is excited to announce our third annual Students for DC Vote 2007 Summer Send Off. Join Students for DC Vote in the Langston Room at Busboys and Poets on Monday, July 30 between 5:30 and 7:30 PM for free food, great conversation, and stimulating collaboration. Take this opportunity to talk to fellow students about the DC voting rights movement and learn what you can do to help at home and schools across the country. To attend, please RSVP to Molly McArdle at mmcardle@dcvote.org.

SUMMER 2007 www.dcvote.org

Turning Up the Heat with Community Outreach

You wont find our staff at their desks all summer. DC Vote staff and volunteers are mingling and sharing information at mainstay community events like Unifest, DCs premiere African-American cultural festival and parade. You can also find us at Capital Pride and Fourth of July parades on Eight Street and Palisades. Informational postcards were distributed at each event as part of DC Votes campaign to encourage local residents to tell long-distance family and friends about taxation without representation.

A Young Suffragist attracts the attention of tourists as she marches with her mom in front of the White House.

Volunteers educate Senators and Hill staff about next steps for the DC VRA.

Team DC Vote stirs up attention for the voting rights movement at a summertime parade.

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