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The DC Voter
League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
Vol. 74, No. 4, December 1998

1234 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 208, Washington, DC 20006
202/347-3020,  fax: 202/347-2522
Website: http://www.capaccess.org/lwvdc, E-mail: voters1@capaccess.org

President’s Corner
Calendar
Charitable Solicitations Status Report
LWVDC Vice President Meets African Women Interns
Unit Calendar
October Unit Meetings: Members Host School Board Candidates
Reminder: December 8 Meeting on the Future of Medicare
Committee Updates

D.C. Voters and Friends Café
Education Committee
International Relations
Making Democracy Work

Charter School Information
Letters to the Editor, The Washington Times
“Why Don’t People Vote? Search Me” by Courtland Milloy
Welcome New Members
Human Rights Symposium
Voter Mailing
LWV/NCA Water Task Force Committee
Sample Membership Program
Fall Finance Drive
To Join the League of Women Voters

 
President’s Corner

December is Units' Choice. We are also having a General Meeting Dec. 8 on the future of Medicare. See page 2 for details, and please read the fact sheet for the discussion included in this issue.

Around election time the press noticed the League. On October 28, Courtland Milloy quoted Elinor Hart and me in his Washington Post column, "Why Don't People Vote?" On November 11, the Washington Times Letters to the Editor (edited and) printed the response of the D.C. and NCA Leagues to an editorial of October 18. Their editorial criticized the lawsuit, which we support, demanding full voting representation. Thanks to Barbara Yeomans for the unabridged text of the letter.

The distribution of 50,000 School Board Voters Guides and the efforts of Making Our Votes Count working with DCTV paid off in greater than expected voter turnout on November 3. We still have a long way to go. Because of the importance of this election, we spent more money than usual in hopes that you who recognize this importance, will contribute more money than usual.

The Fall Finance Drive is here, and I want to thank those who have been generous with the League. I encourage those who haven't yet contributed to do so soon. If you need a tax deduction, make your check payable to LWVDC Education Fund for our citywide educational program. To put teeth in our advocacy work, make it payable to LWVDC (no tax deduction).

I want to apologize to Dianne Rim for errors in the Coffeehouse article which she submitted to the last Voter. An abridged, corrected version appears in this issue. The next D.C. Voters & Friends Coffeehouse will be produced by our Trinity College student members in late January.

The UNA Human Rights Annual Luncheon takes place, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Cannon House Caucus Room on Thursday, December 10. D.C. Councilmember Hilda Mason is the LWVDC honoree at this event. Call 202/785-1940 for information.

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Calendar

Dec 2 (Wed) noon, LWVDC Board Meeting, LWVUS, 1730 M Street, NW
Dec 8 (Tue) 10:00 a.m., Member Meeting: Medicare Future, Sumner School, 17th & M, NW
Dec 8 (Tue) noon, Unit Council, LWVDC office
Dec 8 (Tue), Deadline DC Voter
Dec 9 (Wed) 10:00 a.m., Education Committee, LWVDC office
Dec 10 (Thu) 11:30 a.m., UNA Human Rights Luncheon, Cannon House Bldg,
Dec 14-17, Units: Units' Choice, see p.2
Dec 18 (Fri), January Voter Mailing

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Charitable Solicitations Status Report:

Members of LWVDC can still contribute funds in support of the D.C. League and/or its Education Fund, while we work with D.C. officials to straighten out matters concerning outside fundraising.

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LWVDC Vice President Meets African Women Interns

On October 16, 1998, Betty Nyangoni, LWVDC Vice President for Administration, met with 16 African women who were participating in the League of Women Voters Education Fund project, "Women Power in Politics: Building Grassroots Democracy in Africa." The occasion was a luncheon held at the Holiday Inn Governor's House, where the issues of democracy in D.C. and the work of the League of Women Voters were discussed. A lively exchange with African interns hailing from countries in East, West, and Southern Africa followed.

The African interns made up a diverse group of activists, representing different religious groups, ethnic groups, and organizations. However, all share a commitment to civic education and the power of women at the grassroots level, in their countries. From this meeting, the League of Women Voters D.C. received an invitation and two requests. From Madam Maomi Kaibula of Tanzania we received an invitation to attend the Annual Gender Studies Conference from November 24-27, 1998 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which is sponsored by the Tanzania Gender networking Programme. For additional information, contact

Tanzania Gender Networking Programme
Azikiwe Street, CRDB Building, 7th Floor
P.O. Box 8921. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Phone: 255-51 118030. E-mail: tagnet@ud.co.tz

One request came from Sennie-Sheba Dube-Phiri, councilor for Zim Rights, a human rights organization based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Zim Rights is requesting funding for its "Election Monitoring Project." This project involves a series of educational workshops that are aimed at enhancing participatory democracy for elections in the year 2000 and the Presidential Elections in the year 2002.

According to Ms. Dube-Phiri, "It is necessary that preparations are done early enough so as to adequately put all the logistics in place before the event."

A project proposal is available in the headquarters of LWVDC. Additional information can be obtained from

Ms. Sennie-Sheba Dube-Phiri, Zim Rights
Bulawayo Regional Office
Edge House, 39 Fife Street, Box 3153
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Phone: (263-09) 68315(B) 78653(H). Fax: 62205
E-mail: zimrights@samara.co.zw

The second request was from Warda Rajab, District Coordinator for the National Organization for Civic Education and Elections Monitoring in Kampala, Uganda. She is interested in attending graduate school in the U.S. in the field of social sciences. She would appreciate information on admissions, fellowships, scholarships, and other aid for her studies. Ms. Rajab can be reached at

P.O. Box 24034, Kampala, Uganda
Phone: 3471641/347165. Fax: 231813

League members are encouraged to explore further these opportunities for connecting with our African colleagues.

Sincere appreciation is extended to Orna Tamches, Program Manager for the LWVUS International Relations, for arranging this luncheon meeting. It proved to be an excellent exchange on democracy, grassroots organizing, voting and related issues in the U.S. and in Africa. — Betty Nyangoni

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Unit Calendar: December 1998

Chevy Chase, Call for address, Sue Whitman, 202/347-3020, Dec 16 (Wed) 9:45 a.m.
Northeast Day, General Meeting: Medicare, Tuesday, December 8 -- see below
Northwest Day, General Meeting: Medicare, Tuesday, December 8 -- see below
Northwest Eve, Call for address,  Joan Domike, 202/347-3020, Dec 17 (Thu) 7:30 p.m.
Southwest, Call for address, Grace Savage, 202/347-3020, Dec 15 (Tue) 9:45 a.m.
Trinity,
Trinity College (Cuvilly Hall), Stephanie Dorko, 202/347-3020, *NEW UNIT!*, Call for details
Upper 16th St., Call for address, Connie Tate, 202/347-3020, Dec 16 (Wed) 9:45 a.m.
December units are Units' Choice.

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October Unit Meetings: Members Host School Board Candidates

Candidates for the DC Board of Education (popularly known as the School Board) were guests of LWVDC meetings during October and participated in excellent dialogues with each other and with League members and friends on the most pressing issues facing D.C. public schools — including charter schools, community and parental involvement, and the role of the Board as consensus builders.

Five Ward 7 candidates attended Southeast Unit's meeting — Dorothy Douglas, Herbert Boyd, Tom Kelly, Bernardyne Williams, and Sam Bost.

John Howard, Dwight Singleton, and Tommy Durren, Ward 4 candidates, were present at Upper 16th Street's meeting.

Southwest Unit hosted Ward 2 candidates Westy Byrd, Deering "Tip" Kendrick, and Malcolm Lovell.

Gail Dixon, new At-Large member, visited the Chevy Chase Unit. At-Large candidates attending Northwest Evening's meeting were Robert Artisst, Gerry Counihan, and Darryl Ross. Robert Artisst also was the guest candidate at the Northeast Day Unit.

Many aspects of the public schools were examined. The candidates were uniformly "leery" (in one candidate's words) of charter schools. They felt that contracts should outline expected performance levels, and audits should be not only financial but also educational. They objected to vouchers for attending private schools, as "taking the money out of the public schools." They pointed to D.C.'s successful alternative schools, such as Banneker High and Duke Ellington, and they felt that our tax money could be better spent on troubled schools and special education.

Candidates expressed the view that the Board of Education needs to be trained to work together as a body, to build teams and create consensus. Its members need to perform greater oversight of the system, and work closely with the current superintendent. They applauded the superintendent's reduction of administrative personnel, and looked for continuing reduction in that area. They would emphasize financial accountability, and look to see that grant money "gets to the students."

Four additional ideas were stressed: enforcement of truancy laws should be returned to the principals (now in the Police Department); teachers should receive higher pay to guarantee the quality of instruction; greater use should be made of the schools for afterschool programs and community activities; and (strongly stressed) they would look to greater involvement of parents and the community. — Joan Domike

Congratulations to newly-elected School Board members!
At-Large: Gail Dixon; Ward 2: Westy Byrd; Ward 4: Dwight Singleton; Ward 7: Tom Kelly; Ward 8: William Lockridge.

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Reminder: December 8 Meeting on the Future of Medicare

Per our alert in the November issue of The DC Voter, there will be an all-member meeting on December 8, Sumner School (Lecture Hall, 2nd floor), 17th & M. Streets, NW, 10:00 a.m.–noon. Laura Blaisdell, Assistant Project Manager, LWVEF, will join us along with, we hope, a representative of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, LWVEF's joint sponsor. Ms. Blaisdell has arranged for each attendee to receive a special packet of information prepared by the Foundation in conjunction with LWVEF. Note: This is a special meeting in a special place; no food or drink is allowed in the elegant hall. Included with this issue is a special insert with background information about Medicare. Please be sure to review it in advance and keep it for the December 8 meeting. — Barbara Yeomans, 3rd Vice-President (National Program)

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Committee Updates

D.C. Voters and Friends Café

Members of the D.C. League of Women Voters, community activists, and Trinity College students gathered for an informal evening at Brookland's Cup of Dreams on Monday, September 21, 1998.

Lori Tsang read poetry from her books Circumnavigation and Undertoe. She received the 1997 Mayor's Arts Award for Outstanding Emerging Artist, and her award-winning film Chinamen's Choice exhibited in festivals and universities. Greta Elliott from the H Street Development Corporation participated as emcee and joined the League that night.

Yolanda Palls immigrated from the Philippines to Europe where she worked fifteen years as a domestic worker before moving to the U.S. Yolanda's written work is published in Returning a Borrowed Filipino Tongue and Filipino American Poetry edited by Nick Carbo. She elucidated the disillusionment suffered by immigrants. Yolanda's organization, Shared Communities, Inc. advocates for fair employment practices on behalf of domestic workers.

Eugene Kinlow articulated the need for fair practices in the official treatment of Ward 8. He spoke about the lack of restaurants or even a supermarket in the ward, while plans are advanced for a private prison.

Other community activists shared their experiences. Former candidate, Bill Lewis emphasized the importance of voter registration, noting that candidate petitions can be disqualified if the signers are not registered. Kathy Schmidt spoke about Voter Education in the city's schools and the School Board Candidate Guide.

The next Coffeehouse will be hosted by the new Trinity Unit and held on Trinity College campus in Northeast in late January. For details, e-mail Jenn Kletter, jenn_kletter@hotmail.comD.C. Voters & Friends Committee

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Education Committee

The Education Committee met on Tuesday, November 10 to discuss charter schools. Summary charter school information appears in this Voter.

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International Relations

Luci Sings at White House Vigil: We may not have a vote in Congress, but we did have a voice at the U.N. Vigil held in front of the White House on October 23. LWVDC President Luci Murphy opened the event with "Songs of Peace." The familiar words "I Ain't Gonna Study War No More" resounded powerfully across Lafayette Park, drawing many others to our group. Signs called for the U.S. to pay its dues to the U.N. "in full", "on time" and "without conditions," a reminder that Congress had just adjourned without addressing the outstanding problem of the arrears owed the U.N. by the U.S. Luci was followed on the program by actor Michael Douglas as well as by a number of speakers associated with the U.N. or the United Nations Association. It was a lovely fall evening. Plan to light a candle for the U.N. with us next fall if the arrears problem remains unresolved.

Assessments Paid — Just in Time: News reports indicate that the U.S. recently paid another $197 million in dues to the U.N., which brings U.S. accounts to the regular U.N. budget almost up to date for calendar 1998 and saves us from losing our vote in the General Assembly.

But the Arrears Remain Unpaid: As expected, the President vetoed other legislation that would have paid a major part of our outstanding arrears to the U.N. of approximately $1 billion, (primarily to pay for past U.N. peacekeeping operations approved by the Security Council where the U.S. has the veto) because of an unrelated amendment restricting international family planning aid. The Administration and the 106th Congress will need to address this outstanding issue as a first order of business. It is the League position that the arrears payment should be authorized promptly, this time without conditions or unrelated amendments. — Sheila Keeny, Chair

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Making Democracy Work

Full Voting Representation in Congress for D.C. Do you feel like the cat hanging on the wire, waiting for some public evidence that work is being done on the issue of Congressional Representation for D.C. (besides my reports in the DC Voter)? Is your frustration level high and going higher? Hang on!!

The organizational effort I reported on earlier is coming to fruition. A coalition is being launched to take the issue to the country. To our advantage is the fact that Congress is out of session and credible preparation can take place now.

Several D.C. Leaguers attended an initial organizing meeting on October 28 to form the coalition officially. The precise name is still to be settled formally, but for now we refer to it as the Coalition for D.C. Congressional Representation. Both the D.C. League and LWVUS are participating. The paperwork for legal authority to solicit funding was being completed at the beginning of November and major foundation support will be solicited so that basic staff positions can be established. The organizers of the new coalition are drawing on experience of the former coalition, Self- Determination for D.C. (which pushed for Congressional representation and home rule back in the 1970's) as well as organizations like the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.

The principle focus for efforts will be in support of the current petition and related lawsuit seeking redress from Congress. More visible efforts should be coming into view by the New Year. I have supplied organizers with background material on the old D.C. coalition as well as on the Congressional voting-rights petition campaign which the D.C. League spearheaded in the late 1960's-early 1970's. This includes information to be part of an information packet to gain support for the coalition and pursue action in concert. When our friends are asked to speak for us, they are entitled to be well prepared. We aim for success!

Kathy Schmidt, as a plaintiff to the lawsuit for voting representation in Congress, reminds us that, as we go to press, the second set of papers associated with the lawsuit are to be filed around November 16. These relate to arguments seeking the declaratory judgment desired. Those opposing are to submit arguments around December 18.

As there are further development, we shall keep you posted.

P.S. The Washington Times on November 11, 1998 published our letter indicating that District citizens deserve congressional representation with voting power. We took issue with the editorial's belief that Congress did a good thing in denying use of local funds to pursue the lawsuit. Our letter has the support of LWV/NCA. A copy of this letter follows. It was edited by the Times; mention of the petition was omitted, and the petition was not included. — Barbara Yeomans

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Charter School Information

Charter schools have existed for approximately six years, beginning in Minnesota and growing nationally. Latest figures from the Center for Education Reform show nearly 1,100 charter schools, with 30 more scheduled to open soon, throughout the country. Although all not all states have laws allowing for charter school establishment, among the 29 states and the District of Columbia where charter schools operate, the growth is commanding increasing attention. An estimated quarter million students attend charter schools across the U.S. today.

What are Charter Schools? Charter schools operate with public money but are independent of nearly all the mandates that public schools must follow. The schools control their budgets, curricula and the hiring and firing of staff. Many are designed to approach education in creative, innovative or nontraditional ways. A charter can be revoked by the issuing authority.

Reasons for Selecting Charter Schools. According to parents (and some students) who have chosen charter schools for their children (or themselves), they are looking for smaller classes, more personal attention for the pupils and the desire to capture some of the enthusiasm and innovation they believe is missing from the public schools. Some have indicated their hope to leave behind crowded classrooms, boring lesson plans, discipline problems and teacher burnout.

Diversity of Charter Schools. Charter schools are diverse. They offer a great variety of thematic instruction from Afro-centric to maritime studies and many other themes in between. Arts, language studies, math, science and technology are just a few other foci for charter school instruction.

According to Joe Nathan, from the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota, "The charter school movement appears to be doing what it was intended to do, which is to give people the opportunity to identify educational needs in the community that are unmet."

The biggest growth of charter schools is in Michigan, Texas, North Carolina, Arizona and California.

Charter Schools in Washington, D.C. In Washington, D.C., charter schools are reflective of a national trend. As of September 1998, 19 charter schools are in operation with three additional schools approved to open. Two entities grant charters for schools to open in the city: the D.C. Board of Education and the D.C. Public Charter School Board. The latter was established by order of the U.S. Congress.

Acceptance of Charter Schools. There is not universal acceptance of charter schools. Most of the opposition seems to have come from those who are philosophically opposed to any education reform or change which would take resources (financial, human or otherwise) away from the public schools. It should be noted that neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia do not have charter schools. At this time, the legislators in both states have been considering charter schools.

For additional information about charter schools, contact these organizations:

Center for Education Reform. 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 204, 20036. 202/822-9000. Fax: 202/822-5077. Contact: Jeanne Allen.

D.C. Board of Education. 825 N. Capitol Street NW, 20002. 202/442-5454. Contact: Joseph Carillo.

D.C. Public School Charter Resource Center, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 301, 20005. 202/835-9011. Fax: 202/659-8621. Contact: Shirley Monastra.

D.C. Public Charter School Board, 1717 K Street NW, Suite 802, 20006. 202/887-5011. Fax: 202/8875026. Contact: Nelson Smith.

Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS). 1530 15th Street NW, Suite 001, 20003. 202/387-0405. Fax 202/667-3798. Contact: Danny Rose.

Note: The D.C. based Charter Schools Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization assisting in the development of charter schools, is establishing Kinder Mae to offer loan guarantees, interest subsidies and other enhancements to selected charter schools. The contact person is Richard Thompson.

This information was obtained from the Center for Education Reform, Washington D.C. —Education Committee

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Letters to the Editor, The Washington Times
3600 New York Avenue, NE, Wash., D.C. 20002

Dear Editor:
This is in regard to your October 18 editorial concerning "A Budget for D.C." You indicated that it was "a good thing" for the Congress to oppose "D.C. officials wasting taxpayer money on a lawsuit aimed at congressional representation." You also (erroneously) equated the lawsuit with an effort toward statehood.

The lawsuit supports a petition (enclosed) from District citizens to Congress seeking redress for lack of Congressional representation. The lawsuit declares that the right to elect voting members of Congress is fundamental to U.S. citizenship. This right is fully enjoyed by all adult citizens of the United States proper, except those who reside in the capital of the world's greatest democracy. According to lawsuit, the Congress has the authority to provide the desired remedy under its current constitutional authority and thus does not presume statehood for the District.

Bear in mind that the Congress also serves as the state legislature for the District of Columbia. Would residents of Richmond and Annapolis, for example, accept lack of voting representation in their respective legislatures because they lived in their state capital cities? Further, would they tolerate the kind of Congressional action directed at the District in connection with the lawsuit, namely, denial of the use of local revenues to seek normal redress in the courts? The District's lawsuit is in fact proceeding pro bono.

This letter is endorsed by the League of Women Voters of the National Capital Area, which embraces ten Leagues.

[signed by Luci Murphy, President, LWVDC and Naomi C. Glass, President, LWV/NCA] Enclosure: Petition.

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“Why Don't People Vote? Search Me” by Courtland Milloy

Originally published in the Washington Post, October 28, 1998. Page B1, col.1. Reprinted with permission.

I've been asking people who are active in District politics to tell me why more people don't vote in this city and to suggest ways to stimulate their interest in voting. I have approached this as a journalist, usually under the guise of wanting to perform a "public service."

But the truth is, I wanted to know why I should vote.

I went to the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics office the other day and looked up what the public record said about me. It was not good. I am a registered "independent," or "NP" for no party, and beneath my voting record is the word none.

A chart hanging on the election office walls showed a steady decline in the District's voter participation over the last decade (only 32 percent of the electorate turned out for the September primary), and you could say that I was definitely going with the flow.

Perhaps I have taken my so-called voting rights for granted. The esteemed civil rights activist Julian Bond certainly thinks so. He wrote a letter a while back sharply criticizing me for my aversion to voting, which he learned about in the aftermath of the historic elections in South Africa.

Perhaps registering to vote had been too easy for me. All I had to do was apply for a D.C. driver's license and, while I was at it, make a few marks at the bottom of the page that made me eligible.

"We have to show that we are interested in democracy, even if Congress continues to knock us down," said Luci Murphy, president of the D.C. League of Women Voters. That was one of my big gripes. As long as Congress calls the shots for the District, I figured, any participation in a pseudo-democracy makes us all look like we are perpetuating a fraud.

"That's what the folks in office want you to think so they can stay in office," Murphy fumed impatiently.

I also had posed a "why people don't vote" question to Elinor Hart, coordinator of a D.C. voter education coalition called Making Our Votes Count, hoping for some insight that might help me change my ways.

"There are too many people in this city who simply aren't connected to it," Hart said. "They treat Washington like a college town instead of a home town. They complain about government the way a student might carp about a university administration. When the city is in trouble, they don't say, 'Let's all come together to make things better.' They just stand back and point fingers, and then pack up and move on."

I think that was her way of saying that people like me ought to grow up and get involved.

"One good way to make politics more meaningful is to get acquainted with your neighbors and talk with others about their hopes and fears," she said. "That way, we might inspire even more people to think in terms of voting not just for a 'personality' but for the greater good of the city."

But I wondered again about Congress, which has become so intrusive that some of its members had actually threatened to punish the city if, say, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry even thought about running for reelection.

"I think that the kind of political ceiling that we have on our city is unconscionable and terrible," Hart said. "But the more we get people to participate in the political process in spite of the ceiling, and the closer we get to raising the ceiling and the more accountable we can make our leaders."

That had some appeal. But that would mean I'd have to start attending school board meetings, city council meetings, PTA meetings, ANC meetings and even block club meetings, to say nothing of those boring zoning board and liquor licensing meetings, which sometimes last late into the night.

"That's what people do in Ward 3," Hart noted.

That is the District's wealthy, predominantly white area west of Rock Creek Park. According to Board of Elections statistics, nine out of 10 precincts with the highest voter turnout in the city are in Ward 3.

"You know the buzz in other parts of the city," Hart said. "'If this was Ward 3, we wouldn't be having this crime problem.' Or, 'If this was Ward 3, our schools wouldn't be this way.' But that's because the people in Ward 3 vote in big numbers, and if I were a politician, that would mean something to me. I do believe they count votes. So, for every neighborhood, every civic association, every block, every eligible resident, getting out to vote should be a no-brainer. "

I must admit that sitting out an Election Day isn't all that satisfying, either. So, maybe it is time for a change.

I had posed a "why vote" question to Lawrence T. Guyot, Jr., the Mississippi freedom fighter turned ANC commissioner. But instead of an answer, he gave me a couple of other questions to consider as I pondered my return to the polls.

"I believe that the best thing we can do in honor of Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers, Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman is to say we have answered the two questions that our ancestors asked of all black people: What did you do with your freedom and what did you do to free others?"

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Welcome New Members:

Barbara Cochrane, Anna Course, Eleanor Johnson, and Scott McLarty.

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Voter Mailing

This is an early holiday greeting and a warm "thank you" to the wonderful group of. people who make the Voter mailing possible. We have been successful in recruiting new people because the word is out that participating in this particular activity is very rewarding...and fun! Jean Fleming is our regular Hostess with-the-Mostess, as those of you who have tasted her lemon bars, cookies and coffee will testify. We usually meet the last Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m.–12:30. You can come at any time during that period, even if you only have an hour. The job entails folding, stuffing, labeling and packaging some 500 Voter for D.C. League members plus other area and national Leagues. We have nothing but praise for Mary Rodgers, Louise Perry and Jehu Hunter who coordinate the mailing operation.

Since last April (our last tribute to our team), we have enjoyed the support of Luci Murphy, our President; Fran Garro; Sheila Keeny; Reggie Yancey; Dorothy Beltz; Irma Mullins; Jean Jones; Hope Marindin; Beth Walton; Phoebe Layton; Lois Laster; Carolyn Shugars; Mary Drob; and most recently, Madeleine Furth and Margaret Fox. We owe a unanimous vote of thanks to Chris Matthews and June Duke for all their hard work on preparation. And how about our Editor, Virginia Spatz? If I missed someone, or if you would like to join us, please call me at 202-3630853. Happy Holidays! —Barbara B. Luchs, Voter Mailing Recruiter

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LWV/NCA Water Task Force Committee

On November 9 the Water Task Committee of the LWV\NCA met in the LWVUS conference room with representatives from area water authorities. Mr. James Warfield from Pairfax County Water Authority, Mr. Tom Jacobus of the Washington Aqueduct, Mr. Charles M. Murray from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and Mr. Melvin Lewis from the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (with their support staff) responded to questions that have resulted from the year-long study of the committee. Questions revolved around conservation, new water sources, leakage, and water reclamation. The exchange between the committee and the authorities was rewarding, but still there are issues to be resolved in time for the closing of the current study at the end of December. The next meeting of the committee is December 1, at the LWVUS office at 12:00 noon. — June Duke

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Human Rights Symposium

The Education Fund of the Women's National Democratic Club will sponsor a Human Rights Symposium on Thursday, December 3, at 10:00 a.m. Speakers from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Washington Office on Latin America will address human rights problems in Asia, the Near East, Africa and Latin America. The Department of State luncheon speaker is expected to provide an overview of the human rights situation. For information about registration for the symposium (no charge) or luncheon ($16.50), call Sheila Keeny at 202/966-1692.

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Sample Membership Program

During November, December and January, sampler memberships offer a taste of the League. For $15.00, each of three recipients will receive a sampler membership certificate, including the name of the sponsor, three months of the local Voter, and an invitation to full membership. This is an excellent opportunity to get your local community leaders involved in the League. Please print the Sampler Membership Form and send it with a $15.00 check to the League Office.

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Fall Finance Drive

Response to the Fall Finance Drive has been most appreciated. Contributions are still welcome. Thanks to the following members for contributions of money or goods to the League or Ed Fund:

Gerardine Albers, Mrs. Robert Amory, Jr., June Bashkin, Allen Beach, Suzanne Campagna, Fredericka Cobey, Margaret Cooper, Guy Coriden, H. Russell Cort, Marian Cowan, Virginia Devine, June Duke, Elinor Dynes, Betty Good Edelson, Evelyn Falkowski, Jean Fleming, Robert Forcey, Elizabeth Franks, Fran Garro, Lawrence Graves, Mrs. Hans Hamburg, Eone Harger, Janey Hart, Audrey Hatry, Natalie Howard, Roberta Johnson, Joan Keenan, Suzette Klein, Joanna London, Louisan Mamer, Anna Marsh, Mary McCauley, Ruth Miller, Richard Mintz, Martha Myers, Geneva Perry, Iola Pigott, Leona Rumsey, Grace Savage, Al Schmidt, Jane Schwartz, Carl Seastrum, Hariette Short, Caroline Shugars, Anne Meredith Smoke, Dorothy Sojourner, Eleanor Timberg, Gilda Varrati, Brenda Wagner, Mary Weiler, Sue Whitman, Barbara Yeomans.

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To Join the League of Women Voters

Please print the Membership form and send it together with dues to LWVDC.

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The DC Voter is a monthly publication of the League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia. It is available either through membership ($40.00/year) or through direct subscription ($10.00 per year). President, Luci Murphy, Treasurer, Naomi Glass; Editor, Virginia Spatz (email: vspatz@access.digex.net).
LWVDC, 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005. 202/347-3020. Fax: 202/347-2522.
Website: http://www.capaccess.org/lwvdc   E-mail: voters1@capaccess.org.


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