PRESS RELEASE

Office of Councilmember Vincent B. Orange, Sr. (Ward - 5)

For Immediate Release:                                                                  Contact:  Estell Lloyd

Tuesday, January 8, 2002                                                                (202)724-8028

Councilmember Orange Presents Ceremonial Resolutions to Flood Disaster Heroines and Heroes and Joins Colleagues to Pass Key Amendments to Mayor’s Housing Legislation; Champions the Celebration and Commemoration of Emancipation Day and Proposes Legislation to Permit Party Endorsement of Candidates

Councilmember Orange Supports Proposed Amendments Which Earmark Housing Production Trust Fund Percentages for Low Income and Very Low Income Residents

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 8, 2002 -- On Tuesday, January 8, 2002, at the Council of the District of Columbia's twenty-third Legislative Session, Councilmember Vincent B. Orange, Sr. presented Ms. Cleopatra Jones, and Mr. Robert Bannum with ceremonial resolutions commending them for their work in assisting the Bloomingdale community in recovering from the flood disaster in August, 2001. 

In addition, Councilmember Orange voted in favor of the Omnibus Housing Legislation proposed by the Mayor and an amendment which allocated a majority of the Housing Production Trust Fund to the low income and very low-income housing needs of District residents.  In supporting the amendment which preserves 80% of the housing trust fund for low income residents, those with household incomes below 80% of the area median income, Councilmember Orange stated that the legislation makes a statement to the low income residents that we want them to remain in the city.  Councilmember Orange pointed to the successful renovation of Edgewood Terrace as one example of a reinvestment in housing for the low income residents of Ward 5 and stated his hope that a similar reinvestment could assist the residents of Brookland Manor.

In other action, Councilmember Orange introduced legislation, which will create a fund to accept donations to support a parade in celebration and commemoration of Emancipation Day.  Emancipation Day is the private legal holiday, which Council enacted into law as the commemoration of the date that President Abraham Lincoln freed the persons held in slavery in the District of Columbia.  Emancipation Day in the District was therefore the first day that enslaved persons were freed anywhere in the nation.  The Emancipation Day Fund is established on an emergency basis for the purpose of providing a place for the District to collect and hold funds in support of the parade and associated activities in commemoration and celebration of Emancipation Day.  The donations, grants and gifts accruing in the Emancipation Day Fund will be kept separate from the District General Fund and will have no impact on District expenditures or revenues.  By earmarking a special fund for purposes of the Emancipation Day parade, Councilmember Orange assured the accountability of expenditures for the parade as well as a clean clear method for funding the Emancipation Day parade event.  Councilmember Orange also agreed to try to include the Emancipation Statute in the parade route.

Also today, Councilmember Orange introduced, at the request of the Mayor, the Procurement Practices Vendor Payment Authorization Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2001, Bill 14-467.  There are vendors who were not paid as the result of the previous payment practices and this legislation provides that those vendors will be paid.

Councilmember Orange also introduced emergency legislation, which will close a portion of South Street and rename it Washington Place.  The purpose of this legislation is to provide short-term approval of a street closing which was approved on a permanent basis last year.  This street closing will permit the Brentwood Plaza Kmart, Giant and Home Depot and Rhode Island Avenue Metro Plaza development project to proceed.

Councilmember Orange introduced the District of Columbia Election Code Amendment Act of 2002.  The purpose of this bill is to permit state parties, such as the Democratic, Republican and Statehood parties to officially endorse a candidate 120 days before the date of the primary election.  Upon receipt of an official endorsement, a candidate would not have to secure signatures on nominating petitions in order to have that candidate’s name placed on the ballot.  Councilmember Orange, as chair of the Committee on Government Operations, which has oversight over the Board of Elections and Ethics, will hold a hearing on this bill in the future.  Councilmember Orange introduced this bill at the request of the Democratic State Committee.