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Capitol Fencing “removal will start as soon as tomorrow and is expected to take three days.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by angela n.

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today celebrated the announcement that the fencing around the Capitol Building grounds, erected after the January 6th attack on the Capitol, will be removed. The removal will start as soon as tomorrow and is expected to take three days. Norton has long worked to remove the fencing at the Capitol complex, both for its symbolism against open and democratic government and to restore access to roads and walkways for D.C. residents, emergency services, mail delivery, and local businesses. She also introduced a bill to prohibit federal funding from being used to install permanent fencing at the Capitol complex. (more…)

“Norton Gives National Park Service Deadline on Decision on Changing the Name of Melvin Hazen Park, Will Introduce Bill to Change Name if Necessary”

By Prince Of Petworth

From Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office:

“Last Monday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter giving the National Park Service (NPS) until August 31, 2021, to make a final decision on whether it will change the name of Melvin Hazen Park in the District of Columbia and informing NPS she will consider introducing legislation to change the name if NPS has not made a final decision by then. In February, Norton asked NPS to change the name of the park because Hazen helped demolish the African-American community in the D.C. neighborhood then known as Reno City. In response, NPS said that it needed to take more time to examine whether it has the authority to change the name, and if does have such authority, whether it should change the name.

Norton’s letter to NPS follows. (more…)

“Ahead of Juneteenth, Norton Introduces Georgetown Waterfront Enslaved Voyages Memorial Act”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by laurabl

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Ahead of Juneteenth, on Saturday, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and a day after the House passed a bill establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal land in the District of Columbia to honor enslaved individuals who disembarked at the Georgetown waterfront. The commemorative work, to be established by the Georgetown African American Historic Landmark Project and Tour, would honor the enslaved individuals’ presence, celebrate their contributions to history and recognize their resilience and fortitude.

“This week, we recognize Juneteenth, which marks the arrival of the news of emancipation to enslaved African Americans in Confederate-controlled Texas–two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued–the final end of slavery in the United States,” Norton said. “Juneteenth celebrates the culmination of the long struggle for freedom from bondage in the United States. This monumental event prompts us to reflect on the past and look to the future. This bill provides for the creation of a powerful marker of truth-telling and remembrance. Let us honor the personhood of these individuals, who were repeatedly assumed to have none, so that they will never be forgotten.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows. (more…)

“Norton Receives Defense Department Response to Letter on Helicopter Noise”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: You can read the recent response from the National Park Service about helicopter noise here.

From the office Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus, today said the response from the Department of Defense (DoD) to her February 26 letter requesting limits on helicopter flights over District of Columbia due to noise is a good step forward. DoD expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration with Norton and assured adherence to considerate airmanship, stating that “all DoD aircrews are expected to ‘fly neighborly’ with regard for the safety and comfort of persons on the ground at all times.”

“In my letter, I requested that helicopters fly at higher altitudes, limit nighttime flights, limit flights over residential areas, and provide advance notice of prolonged training missions in a particular area as the noise affects the daily lives of residents in D.C.,” Norton said. “I am pleased to hear of the DoD’s commitment to working with me on this issue, and I look forward to future work with them.”

The response from DoD follows. (more…)

“Norton Requests Permanent Closure of Portion of Beach Drive to Motor Vehicle Traffic to Encourage Outdoor Activities by D.C. Residents”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter requesting that the National Park Service permanently close to motor vehicles the portion of Beach Drive NW in the District of Columbia that has been closed to motor vehicles during the coronavirus pandemic. The portion has been closed during the pandemic to provide more space for pedestrians, bicyclists and recreation. Thousands of people now use Beach Drive to walk, run, bike and play.

“As we shift to post-pandemic life, there is much we have learned about our values as a community,” Norton said. “One of those lessons is the benefit of spending time outdoors. We want to take advantage of the opportunity the temporary closure of Beach Drive provided to prioritize health, outdoor recreation and other forms of transportation by making the closure permanent.”

The letter follows. (more…)

Congresswoman Norton: “We request that the U.S. Botanic Garden display male and female hemp plants.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Matt Steenhoek

From a press release:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a letter on April 20, 2021, requesting that the U.S. Botanic Garden display hemp plants.

The full letter follows below. (more…)

Congresswoman Norton Requests National Park Service Change Name of Melvin Hazen Park

By Prince Of Petworth

From Congresswoman Norton’s office:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter requesting that the National Park Service (NPS) change the name of Melvin Hazen Park in the District of Columbia and work with the community to find a more suitable name. Hazen helped demolish the African American community in the D.C. neighborhood then known as Reno City. Norton noted in her letter that NPS appears to have the authority to change the name without congressional action because the name was designated administratively.

The full text of the letter is below. (more…)

“Norton, Co-Chair of Quiet Skies Caucus, Writes Secretaries of Defense & Homeland Security Asking for Limitations on Helicopter Flights in D.C.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Eric P.

From Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s Office:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas asking that their departments’ helicopters in the District of Columbia fly at higher altitudes, limit nighttime flights and flights over residential areas, and provide advance notice to residents of prolonged training in a particular area.

“D.C. residents contact me frequently about helicopter noise in their neighborhoods,” Norton said. “Residents say that it affects their sleep and their ability to think and have conversations, and that it can cause structural damage to their homes.” Norton asked for a written response by March 19th.

The letter follows. (more…)

Now about that other fencing “Norton to Introduce Bill Banning Permanent Fencing at U.S. Capitol Complex”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by LaTur

From Congresswoman Norton’s Office:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that she will introduce legislation to prohibit the installation of new permanent fencing at the U.S. Capitol complex. Norton has strongly opposed efforts to build permanent structures separating the Capitol complex from the rest of the nation’s capital in the wake of the January 6 attack. (more…)

Congresswoman “Norton Announces Virtual Town Hall on Effects of Capitol Attack on Neighbors and Other Residents”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by The Q Speaks

Congresswoman Norton’s office:

“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today she will host a virtual town hall on the impact of the U.S. Capitol attack on D.C. residents, public spaces, and security on Thursday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m. All D.C. residents are invited to attend. D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) and representatives from the U.S. Capitol Police also will speak and answer questions from attendees. (more…)

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