Supervisor Rodney Luck Board Matter with Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross and Supervisor Alcorn

Mr. Chairman—I was greatly honored to represent our Commonwealth on the Metropolitan Council of Governments’ (COG) D.C. Statehood Taskforce.

As this Board is aware, based on the work of the taskforce, COG recently voted unanimously to endorse D.C. statehood.

Washington D.C. is a critical part of our region’s economic cohesion, and regional identity. However, while the District of Columbia consistently meets its commitments to it’s regional partners, including Fairfax County, D.C. residents are denied many of the basic rights guaranteed to those who live in neighboring jurisdictions and across our country.

In recognition of the unique partnership that our County has enjoyed with the District of Columbia, and in deference to the unanimous endorsement of the Metropolitan Council of Government’s resolution in support of D.C. statehood, Chairman McKay, Supervisor Gross, Supervisor Alcorn and I move that the Board adopt the following resolution:

• Whereas the District of Columbia’s population of 712,000 exceeds that of two states,
Wyoming and Vermont.
• Whereas its government has approved 25 consecutive balanced budgets relying on
locally raised revenues, operates its own school system, manages its own SNAP,
Medicaid, and transportation programs;
• Whereas D.C. residents shoulder all the responsibilities of citizenship, including serving
in our military and pay more per capita in federal taxes than any state;
• Whereas 86% of D.C. voters approved a referendum in favor of statehood as recently as
2016;
• Whereas the United States House of Representatives has passed H.R. 51 to codify D.C.
statehood while preserving an unaffiliated Federal District including the Capitol
complex, the White House, national monuments, and other federal property,
independent of any state, which meets the requirements outlined in the U.S.
Constitution;
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• Whereas supporting D.C. statehood is consistent with our County’s commitment to the
values of One Fairfax, to peruse equity and equal representation for all peoples;

Therefore be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorses and
supports the adoption of the District of Columbia as the 51st state in our union.

So moved.