FRANCIS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION, Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman of the House District Committee, DEAR SIR: The Francis Junior High School Parent-Teacher Association of Washington, D.C., joins with our official, civic, educational, religious and other leaders in petitioning your committee to promote the passage of pending legislation which will grant the most complete suffrage to the citizens of this city. No argument is needed to establish the justice of self-government for any American city. Political rights exercised through home rule by the residents of Washington, D.C., will promote the national and international welfare of our great country. We implore you in your wisdom on this occasion to champion these people's right to vote to put an end to our shameful disfranchisement and to rescue this municipality from its voteless status under which it has been incarcerated for such a long time.. Your decision in our favor is vital and will be echoed from far lands of the world. Your committee will have carved a niche in the history of our land the great value of which will be beyond measurement. We appreciate your honorable allowance of our request. HONORABLE SIR: Please file this statement as part of the official printed record. Thank you. Mrs. HENRY THOMAS, President. STATEMENT OF MRS. HENRY THOMAS, PRESIDENT OF THE RAYMOND SCHOOL PARENTTEACHER'S ASSOCIATION The Raymond School Parent-Teacher's Association, an organization of 286 members, unanimously endorsed the resolution on home rule adopted by its parent body in convention May 4, 5, and 6, 1959, Washington, D.C. This resolution endorses the principle of local self-government for the District of Columbia. We agree wholeheartedly that too long the citizens of the District of Columbia have suffered from too much taxation and not enough representation. It is beneath our dignity and self-respect as American citizens not to enjoy the right to a voice in the disposition of our own tax money for the welfare of our most precious possessions-our children. As parents we would feel better satisfied to pay high taxes if we could guarantee that our money would be expended to take care of our educational needs. Self-government for the District of Columbia will also promote better community life. Without representation and a voice, John Q. Public feels that nothing can be done to better his situation, so why bother. Given a voice in local affairs, he gains hope, feels that he is really a part of his Government, and soon participates actively in resolving community needs. How can our children visualize the importance of the principles upon which our country is built unless they have the opportunity to see their parents actively participate in local affairs? How can we motivate our children to accept national responsibility without giving them an insight into the problems of and responsibilities to a democratic government by our participation at home? We vigorously urge that District citizens be given the right to shape their own destiny as free American citizens and not as slaves. We feel that local selfgovernment is inevitable in spite of prejudice and inertia. Thank you for this opportunity to speak for my orga ization. STATEMENT OF VIVIAN A. WATERS, PRESIDENT OF THE WILLIAM B. POWELL PTA, AN ORGANIZATION OF 300 MEMBERS The membership of the William B. Powell PTA commends the House District Committee for its past performance in matters relating to the affairs of the District of Columbia. Ours is a strongly unified stand for home rule for the District of Columbia, and we respectfully urge the committee to enact legislation favorable to the granting of this privilege to our citizens. Thank you for this opportunity to speak for my organization. STATEMENT OF MRS. ELSIE W. MITCHELL, PRESIDENT, WEST SCHOOL PTA Home rule for the District of Columbia would vest the administration of education in the hands of those who have the greatest interest in its advancement-the parents of the District children. Furthermore, the educational experiences which the children would gain from direct contact with a functional unit of democratic government would improve the quality of education and citizenship immensely. SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HOUSE ASSOCIATION, Washington, D.C., July 28, 1959. To the District of Columbia Committee of the House of Representatives on Home Rule. DEAR CONGRESSMEN: A man without a vote is a man without a democratic government. We that live in the District of Columbia find ourselves supporting a government without a voice. It is really taxation without representation. On behalf of the hundreds of individuals that we serve we recommend that the Congress of the United States pass a home rule bill. Sincerely requested, JAMES E. LEWIS, Jr., Executive Director. STATEMENT OF MRS. BARRINGTON D. PARKER, PRESIDENT OF THE MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION, AN ORGANIZATION OF 680 MEMBERS The Parent-Teacher Association of McKinley Technical High School at its regular meeting, held in the auditorium of the school on March 18, 1959, unanimously voted to support the effort for home rule for the District of Columbia. Our association took this action in the belief that one of the benefits of home rule would be an improvement in the public education in our city. It is our conviction that responsibility for schools should be placed where the primary concern for these institutions now rests-with the citizens of this city. The Parent-Teacher Association of the McKinley Technical High School, therefore, joining the District of Columbia Congress of Parents and Teachers, respectfully urges that the District of Columbia be granted the right of home rule as soon as possible. Thank you for this opportunity to speak for my organization. THE BROOKLAND SCHOOL, PTA, Hon. JOHN MCMILLAN, Chairman, House District Committee, DEAR SIR: It is hard to believe that Congress which has constantly been advocating a policy of peace, along with promoting the ideals and principles of selfgovernment to the remotest corners of the world, should fail miserably to give this right to its own District of Columbia citizens. Democracy should be taught at home as well as abroad. Is Congress ashamed of its "American citizens"? Or is it that Congress can't see the trees for the forest? You gave us taxation. Now give us representation. Very truly yours, ORREN T. COHILL, President. LOVEJOY PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION, Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, House District Committee, MR. CHAIRMAN: I am Mrs. Margaret P. Courtney, president of the Lovejoy Parent-Teachers and Community Association. The Lovejoy Parent-Teachers and Community Association go on record as supporting the principle of home rule in the District of Columbia. We believe the time has come for the Capital City of our wonderful country to take undisputed possession of a completely first-class rating which will be accomplished only by having local self-government. For the best interests and results for our highly developed and rapidly expanding Nation, we support the resolution calling for the end of Federal control of Washington's municipal government. Cities of relatively proportionate size and population as that of the District throughout these United States have long enjoyed their rightful constitutional privileges as citizens by having a voice in their local and municipal governments. These citizens have proven loyal, trustworthy, dedicated, democratic, devoted Americans. Because these people work and live together they know best their problems, shortcomings, assets, desires, and probabilities better than "outsiders" or other groups who have been put in authority, and whose interests are divided. We believe all of our country's citizens have the right to exercise their will in selecting, electing, and voting for their officials, as well as being represented nationally. We deplore the principle of taxation without representation. It is tyranny of the first magnitude. We are thorough believers in the democratic system and the democratic way of doing things. Home rule for the District is right because it is the democratic way to govern citizens who work and live harmoniously and prosperously together. It is under this type of system that our country's future leadership develops most effectively. For unity gives us strength, but division among our ranks tends to weaken us. We hope heartily, therefore, that the House District Committee and the Congress of the United States will support our resolution for home rule in the District. With the help of Congress and the divine guidance of the Almighty God we sincerely believe that the Federal Government will discontinue to hold this city in thrall, and will permit its citizens to govern their affairs in their own way as they see fit. Thank you. MARGARET P. COURTNEY. STATEMENT OF VALERIE K. WIGGINS, PRESIDENT OF THE BENNING PTA, AN ORGANIZATION OF 400 MEMBERS The citizens of the Benning Parent-Teachers Association wish to support the principle of home rule for the District of Columbia. It is far from democratic to be denied this fundamental constitutional right. We are disheartened every time Congress slashes the school budget, for we know best how to spend our money for our children's education. For our children's sake, we urge that these hearings produce a bill that will be passed giving the 850,000 District residents the right to vote and the opportunity for self-government. Thank you for this opportunity to speak for my organization. STATEMENT OF MR. MAURICE JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF THE DAVIS PTA, AN ORGANIZATION OF 750 MEMBERS We are in favor of home rule for the benefit of our children, schools, and citizens in general. Thank you for this opportunity to speak for my organization. HOUSE DISTRICT COMMITTEE, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.: WASHINGTON, D.C., July 26, 1959. The Langdon PTA wishes to support local self-government for home rule. Mrs. YVONNE WILLIAMSON, Secretary. STATEMENT OF YVONNE M. WILLIAMSON, PRESIDENT OF THE LANGDON SCHOOL PTA, AN ORGANIZATION OF 323 MEMBERS The Langdon School PTA wishes to go on record in support of local selfgovernment. Thank you for this opportunity to speak for my organization. WHEATLEY PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION, WHEATLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Subject: Home rule for the District of Columbia. Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, House District Committee, HONORABLE SIR: As president of the Wheatley Parent-Teacher Association, representing approximately 750 parents, I wish to apprise you of our strong desire for the securing of home rule for the District of Columbia. There are many reasons why we should be able to enjoy this cherished privilege, but greatest among them are set forth in the paragraphs below. 1. Having been denied our inalienable rights for more than three-quarters of a century, we, as parents, would be derelict of duty if we, at this time, failed to press for the rights and privileges of our children who inevitably will become our leaders of tomorrow. 2. Under the present system of government we are called upon to support it in a most tangible way-through taxes, direct and indirect. We have no choice to do otherwise. By the same token we have no chance to cast a vote for our choice of officeholders who direct the spending of these taxes. 3. Parents in the District are fully aware of the fact that lawmakers from the various States who are not confronted with problems peculiar to those of the District cannot have sufficient knowledge, nor appreciation for, nor even the interest in helping to secure the vital needs for our ever-expanding educational processes. 4. We look with envy toward far away Alaska and distant Hawaii who so recently secured all the rights and privileges of statehood. It would seem that we, here in the District of Columbia, living under the dome of the greatest Capitol in the world today-it would seem that we too should enjoy self-government. We emphatically implore you and your colleagues to act on the rule supporting a territorial governor to be appointed by the President, an elected legislative assembly and a nonvoting delegate to the House. May we take this opportunity to thank you for privilege of being heard. ALMA D. PORTER, President. WASHINGTON, D.C., July 27, 1959. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, GENTLEMEN: The parents and teachers who comprise the membership of the Neval Thomas Parent-Teacher Association have, over the past several years, fully supported the enactment of legislation which would bring some measure of self-government to the citizens of the District of Columbia. In view of the favorable response now being shown toward the various bills pending in the House of Representatives, and the treatment recently accorded the States of Alaska and Hawaii, we sincerely trust that this year will mark the passage of a home rule bill for the District. We wish to go on record as favoring the proposals now before your committee and pledge our wholehearted support toward the success of whatever legislation as may be passed and approved. Very truly yours, NEVAL THOMAS SCHOOL PARENT- By WILLIAM A. ROBINSON, President. D. A. PAYNE PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION, Subject: Statement on home rule for the District of Columbia. Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, House District Committee, DEAR MR. MCMILLAN AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE DISTRICT COMMITTEE: AS one of the local units that constitutes the D.C. Congress of Parents and Teachers, members of the Payne Parent-Teacher Association have been among many delegations to Capitol Hill to plead for the school needs of the District, and we have received wholehearted support from some of the Members of Congress on legislation that involves the welfare of children. Legislation that would give the citizens of the District of Columbia a right to self-government is long overdue and is a heritage which should be passed on to the future citizens of the District as well as to other children of the Nation. Some of the citizens who live here have come of their own choice while others have come upon being accepted in the Government service. While it is possible for many to vote by absentee ballot, and convenient for others to maintain voting residence in their home States, a great number of Washington residents have lost this right by coming here to live or perhaps cannot remember ever having a vote in the District. Regardless of how we came to be here in this historical "clearinghouse," many of us who are rendering loyal and devoted service to the "powers that be" can no longer keep silent on this vital issue. We deplore the idea that some may think of us as "dead souls." Our pride in that which our forefathers gave their sweat and blood, and the deep sense of duty we have to the citizens of tomorrow make us restless and unwilling to continue to accept a nonvoting status. Our concern for the future of this country and the status it affords every citizen regardless of his race or creed makes us feel, in spite of the opposition, that we have met on common ground. We feel that, to a great degree, the defense of this country rests not only on achievements in space, power on the seas or in the air, but also in the hearts of all its citizens and the recognition of and respect for human dignity. We are especially grateful for the privilege to speak on this question which has met with so much opposition, and we take this opportunity to make you aware of a burning desire permeating our society to make our Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence a living reality. To deny any segment of the population a constitutional right is to psychologically handicap the individuals involves, thus creating a handicap for the community and for the country. An awareness of our freedoms and the need to preserve them is more evident among our citizens than ever before. Can citizens who have never fully enjoyed these freedoms be expected to willingly die to defend them? Regardless of our race, creed, religious background, or station in life, we have dignity. To disregard this part of an individual, particularly one who has identified himself with the principles upon which our great Nation was founded, is detrimental to a way of life that we hold most sacred. How long must we endure this suppression? How long must we continue to explain to our children why the taxpaying citizens in the District of Columbia cannot vote? We feel that the children in the Nation's Capital should have the best possible concept of a democracy. Shall we then deny them any basic right, while we say to them: "It is your heritage"? We believe that home rule would provide a better means of handling many of the problems of the District of Columbia, particularly our school needs. We are grateful for the service rendered to our community by Representatives from other States and deeply appreciate the interest shown by those who are supporting home rule. But we feel that the Congress should be relieved of |