A Question of Statehood for Washington D.C.

What does it mean to be a state? What are the advantages? Disadvantages?

A state provides its residents representation. You have state representatives and state senators, a governor, U.S. representatives, and two senators. This is a right that is given to all Americans, well, almost all Americans.

Which United State's city is not in a state? It is located within the continental United States. It is on the East coast. It is the capital of the United States. Yes, it is Washington D.C. The city's motto is Justitia omnibus (Justice to all).

Washingtonians have a mayor but have no governor or Senate representation. The current mayor is Anthony Williams whose term runs until 2007. They have one member in the House of Representatives, Eleanor Holmes Norton. Thomas Jefferson selected their first mayor in 1802. However, this right to have a mayor eventually was taken away.

This city consists of 69 square miles of land that was originally part of Virginia and Maryland. George Washington chose this area as a compromise to the Northern and Southern states. It is one of the few cities in the world that was specifically planned and built to be the capital of a country.

Many believe that this city deserves statehood. Others do not.

I believe Washingtonians deserve full and complete representation. However, can the capital of a country be neutral? Does statehood give this city a greater allegiance to itself above its country? I believe this is the main reason why Washington D.C. is not a state. I believe our founding fathers wanted a capitol that would have allegiance to the country but not to any one state.

Size is not the issue? In terms of square miles, Rhode Island is much larger than Washington D.C. However, in terms of population, Rhode Island is only twice as large (Rhode Island 2000 est. pop. 1,048,319, Washington D.C. 2002 est. pop. 570,898).

Wyoming's population is less than D.C's. (2000 est. pop. 493,782), while the following states have less than twice D.C's. population:

• North Dakota (2000 est. pop. 642,200),
• South Dakota (2000 est. pop. 754,844), and
• Montana (2000 est. pop. 902,195).

Washington D.C. reclaimed its right to have a mayor in 1967. On November 3rd the city regranted the right to be represented by a mayor and a nine member city council. The president Lyndon Johnson with the approval of the Congress selected the mayor and city council. This practice continued until 1974.

On May 7, 1974, Washington D.C.'s citizens approved the Home Rule Charter that allowed them to vote for and elect their own mayor and city council. The charter increased the size of the council from nine members to thirteen members.

Time will tell if Washington D.C. becomes a state. It is the home to many politicians and is also the home of many famous people. Natives and residents of this city include the following actors and actresses: Goldie Hawn, Helen Hayes, William Hurt, and Chita Rivera. Musicians include: Duke Ellington, Leonard Rose, and John Philip Sousa.