Norton Releases Remarks for Keel-Laying Ceremony for USS Columbia, Named for District of Columbia

Statement

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks in advance of the keel laying, or formal recognition of a ship's construction, for the USS Columbia, named for the District of Columbia. Norton will travel to Rhode Island to speak at this landmark keel-laying ceremony for the District, which will take place on June 4, 2022.

"Though this is not the first time a U.S. Navy vessel has been named Columbia, this is the first time that the name has been used to specifically commemorate the District of Columbia," Norton said. "The USS Columbia will be the largest, most capable, and most advanced submarine produced by our nation. It is fitting that it recognizes what will become the 51st state."

Norton's remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

USS District of Columbia Event

June 4, 2022

I am pleased to be here with you today as we celebrate the USS District of Columbia, commissioned in recognition of my hometown and the jurisdiction I represent in Congress, the District of Columbia.

In December 2016, I was first informed by then-Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus of the historic news that the Navy would be recognizing the people of the District of Columbia with this great honor, and in particular our servicemembers and veterans, who have fought in every American war since our nation's founding, all without voting representation in Congress. There are approximately 30,000 veterans who live in D.C., and almost 200,000 D.C. residents have served in the military since World War I.

Today, we celebrate the USS District of Columbia, the first U.S. Navy vessel named for the District. Though there have been previous U.S. Navy vessels named Columbia, this is the first time that the name has been used to specifically commemorate the District of Columbia. The Columbia class itself will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by our nation. It is fitting that it recognizes what will become the 51st state.

D.C. has never been closer to statehood than we are now. Our nation was founded upon the basic principles of no taxation without representation and consent of the governed. D.C. servicemembers have helped secure these rights for people throughout the world, yet have always been denied those same rights when they returned home.

In 2016, the same year it was announced that the District of Columbia would receive this honor, D.C. residents voted overwhelmingly -- 86% -- in favor of D.C. statehood. In 2021, the House passed my D.C statehood bill for the second time, and the Senate held its second-ever hearing on the bill.

Congress must no longer exclude D.C. residents from the democratic process, forcing residents to watch from the sidelines as Congress votes on laws that affect the nation or votes even on the laws of the duly elected D.C. government. Democracy requires much more. D.C. residents demand much more. D.C. residents deserve full voting representation in the Senate and the House and complete control over their local affairs. They deserve statehood.

Thank you again for the recognition of the District of Columbia that we celebrate today.

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