PR 25-0117 — The Sense of the Council on the Establishment of an America250 Commission Resolution of 2023

NyashaENROLLED SmithORIGINAL SecretaryARESOLUTION 25-95 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA April 4, 2023 To declare the sense of the Council Pennsylvaniathat Avenuethe NWMayor Washington,should, DCin 20004consultation Februarywith 21,the 2023Council, Dearestablish Secretarya Smith:commission to plan for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding and that in its planning the commission should embrace the complete history of the District and amplify the fight for statehood.

Today, I am introducing the “Sense of the Council on the Establishment of an America250 Commission Resolution of 2023” along with Councilmembers Gray, Lewis George, R.

White, McDuffie, Pinto, Parker, and Henderson.

This resolution urges the Mayor to establish an America250 Commission for the District of Columbia, charged with highlighting the complete story of the District within our national history.

A signed copy of the resolution is enclosed.

On July 4, 2026, millions of Americans will celebrate the semiquincentennial anniversary of the nation’s founding.

These 250 thanniversary celebrations must embrace an honest, inclusive history that acknowledges the triumphs of the American experiment and the still unrealized promises of equality, opportunity, and self-governance.

The Mayor should partner with the Council in planning for this anniversary and establishing a commission to promote our shared goals of commemorating the entire history of the District and amplifying our fight for DC Statehood.

By establishing an America250 Commission for the District, we can ensure the 250 tanniversary celebration recognizes DC as more than the seat of the Federal government.

With adequate planning, education, and advocacy, the District will instead be memorialized as the home of revered local cultural, social, and political leaders and the backdrop of countless watershed moments in our nation’s history.

DC’s story is America’s story.

Therefore, the Mayor should establish an America250 Commission to elevate our city’s diverse history and culture.

Sincerely, Matthew Frumin Councilmember for Ward 3 2 ___________________________ ___________________________ Councilmember Vincent C.

Gray Councilmember Matthew Frumin 6 ___________________________ ___________________________ Councilmember Robert C.

White, Jr.

Councilmember Janeese Lewis George __________________________ ___________________________ Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Kenyan R.

McDuffie ___________________________ ___________________________ Councilmember Christina Henderson Councilmember Zachary Parker APROPOSED RESOLUTION ____________ IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA _________________ To declare the sense of the Council that the Mayor should, in consultation with the Council, establish a commission to plan for the celebration oanniversary of the nation’s founding;

and, that in its planning, the commission should embrace the complete history of the District and amplify the fight for statehood.

th th (1) On July ,4, 2026, the United States and the District will celebrate the 250250th anniversary of the founding of the nation (known as the “Semiquincentennial”) as marked by the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The Declaration of Independence,Independence and the historic events preceding its signing,signing have had a profound influence throughout the world.

(2) The ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence—that all people are created equal and that government derives its power from the consent of the governed—are especially meaningful to the residents of the DistrictDistrict, of Columbia, who still lack representation in the United States Congress as well as full autonomy over their local affairs.

(3) To celebrate the 250hanniversary250th anniversary of the country’s founding, tens of thousands of visitors will travel to the District.

This presents the District with a unique opportunity to tell its complete story and to showcase that it is more than the seat of federal government,government but ratheralso a thriving and diverse city worthy of statehood.

Semiquincentennial Commission (“federal commission”) to “provide for the observance and commemoration of the 250250th thanniversaryanniversary .

through local, State, national, and international activities.” (5) The federal Commission’scommission’s goal is that every state, territory, and the District will form a state-levelAmerica250 commission by the end of 2023.

ENROLLED ORIGINAL Sec.

(1) The Mayor should establish anAmerica250 Commission (“Commission”) for the District of Columbia, composed of members appointed by both the Mayor and the Council;

th (2) In leading the planning for the 250anniversary,250th anniversary, the Mayor should, in consultation with the Council, ensure that the Commission is attuned to the goal of strategically telling the District’s story to emphasize the history of the District and the nation;

(3) In its planning, the Commission should be directed to go beyond merely celebrating the 250250th anniversary of the nation’s founding andto, ratherin toaddition, commemoratecommemorating the entire history of the District—from the local cultural, social, and political leaders who have helped shape the nation’s history to the difficult histories of racism, slavery, and segregation central to the stories of both the District and the broader nation;

(5) In selecting the members of the commission,Commission, the Mayor and Council should ensure that all eight8 Wards of the District are represented,represented and that the commissionCommission is reflective of diverse and historically marginalized voices from across the District;

and (6) The Mayor and the Council should prepare to adequately fund the commemoration of ththe 250th anniversary, and that the 250Mayor anniversary.should include necessary funds for the Commission in her proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

Further, the Mayor should include necessary funds for the commission in her proposed Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

The Secretary to the Council shall transmit copiesa copy of this resolution, upon its adoption, to the Mayor.

This resolution shall take effect immediatelyimmediately. upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.