LEGISLATIVE UPDATES FOR DISTRICT RESIDENTS
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The month ahead will be busy and promising as Council committees prepare for hearings on two of my bills.
Just four months ago, we stood on the steps of the Wilson Building to announce the introduction of
Restore the Vote Amendment
, supported by all members of the DC Council, the Mayor, and the Attorney General. The bill will re-establish the right to vote for District residents who are incarcerated with felonies. Check out my
Washington Post
op-ed, highlighting the fact that more than 5 million Americans aren't allowed to vote in our elections because of felony convictions.
I invite you to the community
hearing
on
Tuesday, October 29th
at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center at
7:00 P.M.
The address is 2730 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, S.E. To testify, email
judiciary@dccouncil.us
or call (202) 724-7808 by COB Friday, October 25th.
I am also excited to announce the upcoming Committee of the Whole and the Committee on Education joint public hearing on my
Financial Literacy Education in Schools Amendment
on
Wednesday, November 6
th
at 10:00 A.M.
, in Room 500 of the Wilson Building. This bill will create financial literacy courses for 11th- and 12th-grade students to learn about personal finance matters like budgeting, credit, saving, investing, college financial aid, and taxes. To testify, sign-up online at
bit.do/EducationHearings
or call the Committee on Education at (202) 724-8061.
Finally, with support from the entire Council, I introduced the
Renewable Energy Future Amendment
to help make DC a leader in combating climate change. This bill pushes DC government to use its own properties to produce renewable energy through solar panels, small-scale wind turbines, and other renewable energy sources. Here is my
press release
where I discuss how this bill builds on an international movement to leave a better world for the generations to come.
(Photo credit for photo above: Dee Dwyer)
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COMMUNITY CORNER
October 2019
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I started this year off by connecting with senior citizens across the city, and I recently visited my friends at Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center, Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center, and Forest Hills Senior Living. I know how difficult it is for seniors to visit me at the Wilson Building, so I will continue to visit with them throughout the year.
In the past few weeks, I held three roundtables with Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners to discuss their experiences and challenges in administering their commissions. I have learned how diverse the Commissions are and received great feedback on how the Council can better support this institution. I look forward to hearing more from these dedicated public servants at my final roundtable with ANCs in wards 1 and 2 tomorrow,
October 24th at the Thurgood Marshall Center. The address is 1816 12th Street, NW.
I remind you that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call House of Ruth’s 24-hour hotline: 1-877-988-5559, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE.
It is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which hits close to home for me. This month, I remember my mom and all those who have lost their fight to breast cancer. For more information about breast cancer awareness, prevention, screening, and health services, please call the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program at (202) 442-9170.
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Nothing is more important than ensuring students get to and from school safely each day. So I joined Center City Public Charter School, Principal Niya White, and board member Nasir Qadree to experience the students' daily commute to and from school. And I've committed to personally helping students get home by volunteering my time and recruiting other volunteers.
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I always love joining R
ayceen Pendarvis on The Ask Rayceen Show
, but it was especially nice to have my family with me for this visit.
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I toured the new Young Men Emerging Unit at the DC Jail and spoke to the program mentors and mentees. Each day, they work to guide and support each other and foster personal growth. Let’s continue to support the efforts that help us reform our system and rethink how we rehabilitate our residents in a way that makes our city safer.
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I appreciate the Office of the Tenant Advocate for convening their 12th Annual Tenant Association Summit and providing a space to engage with residents on critical housing topics.
My colleagues and I joined to discuss possible solutions for the housing crisis in DC with an understanding that solving challenges will take bold steps from residents and elected leaders.
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For decades, African-American women have been leading some of our most important political and social movements. I was proud to join the DMV Links Walk for Healthy Living as the Links continue this important tradition and focus on health.
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Thank you to the Ward 7 Democrats for inviting me to speak on my recent legislation and funding efforts. This is such an engaged and active organization.
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I held my first public oversight roundtable with ANCs from Wards 3 and 4 to hear from the Commissioners on the work they’re doing, some of the tools they are using, and the challenges they face as our most "local" local officials.
My goal for these roundtables is to deepen the collaborative relationship between the Council and our Commissions.
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I held my second Advisory Neighborhood Commissions roundtable to discuss the unique challenges Wards 5 and 6 Commissioners face, and how the Council can better support their work.
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I held my third ANC oversight hearing where I met with Commissioners from Wards 7 and 8. The challenges Commissioners face vary and I am determined to work with them to solve their issues. Thank you to Councilmember Vincent Gray for joining me to hear the testimony of residents and Commissioners.
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I visited ANC 4B’s monthly meeting to discuss the work my office is doing on behalf of Commissioners and residents, as well as how we are strengthening our ANC's voices.
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I recently chaired a hearing on two bills that support and strengthen ANCs in planning and development throughout the city. If we give ANCs the support they need, I am confident they will do even better work for their constituents and our city.
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PLEASE CONTACT ME OR ANYONE ON MY TEAM
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I hope you enjoyed this month's edition of my newsletter. If you have any questions or need to bring an issue to my attention, please call my office at (202) 724-8174 or reach out to my team.
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PERSONAL OFFICE STAFF
COMMITTEE ON FACILITIES AND PROCUREMENT STAFF
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Robert C. White, Jr. Councilmember, At-Large | Council of the District of Columbia
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