IN SUPPORT OF STATEHOOD FOR WASHINGTON, D.C.

WHEREAS, the AFT stands for equality and human rights for all, embracing inclusiveness of all groups from the time of its founding more than 100 years ago; and

WHEREAS, AFT members are committed to ensuring the right to vote for all U.S. citizens in the U.S. Congress; and

WHEREAS, the AFT recognizes that Washington, D.C., a location that has over 600,000 residents, has not had a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives or the Senate for over 200 years; and

WHEREAS, in 1995 and against the wishes of our duly elected U.S. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and the local government at the time, the U.S. Congress passed the District of Columbia School Reform Act of 1995 that established a DC Public Charter School system that has refused to comply with District laws and considers itself completely autonomous; and

WHEREAS, DC Public Charter Schools have refused to acquiesce to transparency laws and have taken a position of unrestricted growth, creating an untenable and unaffordable amount of charter schools that have posed a direct threat to the District of Columbia Public Schools and unionized educators; and

WHEREAS, Congress has stepped up attacks on D.C.'s autonomy, which could include further encroachment on our public schools, including what history we can teach and the banning of books:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will continue to defend democracy and the right to vote for all U.S. citizens by supporting the movement for D.C. statehood; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate and stand against any and all encroachments on D.C.'s autonomy; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will develop model resolutions for local affiliates and state federations to adopt in support of D.C. statehood to be presented to their local U.S. congressmen and congresswomen; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will engage local affiliates and state federations in critical community conversations that inform educators and the community about the importance of D.C. statehood and why they should support it by advocating to their local members of Congress; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support resources and advocacy organizations, including but not limited to, DC Statehood Coalition members;[1] and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will create, encourage, support and conduct D.C. statehood trainings and workshops during the AFT convention and other AFT conferences and convenings; and

RESOLVED, that a D.C. Statehood Task Force, led by members of the Washington Teachers’ Union, AFT Local 6, will help guide and support the work of the above actions.

Adopted May 28, 2025