I hope everyone is doing well.
Lots of news…, but I was particularly shocked by a March 21 tweet from Republican Iowa Congressman Rod Blum that said "Rod Blum @RodBlum Washington DC is booming. Tower cranes everywhere. Being built on the backs of US taxpayers. DC needs a recession."
It is not my nature to wish ill on anyone, and after all the love Iowans showed DC during the Iowa Caucuses (9 counties issued DC Statehood Resolutions), I have nothing but great things to say about the wonderful people of Iowa. But how shameful of this Congressman to wish harm on the hard working people of the District of Columbia.
Rather than work to improve the lives of people in this country, Congressman Blum is concentrating efforts in bringing down communities. There should be no place in the US Congress for people like this.
Congressman Blum is finishing his first term, and barely won when he ran in 2014. Pat Murphy, former Iowa House of Representatives Speaker, lost by a narrow margin. Mr. Murphy has a chance at unseating Congressman Blum in 2016. Join me and stand up for DC by supporting Mr. Murphy. Visit Mr. Murphy's website for ways you can support him: http://www.patmurphyforcongress.com/.
U.S. House, Iowa District 1 General Election, 2014:
| Democratic | Pat Murphy | 48.8% | 141,145 |
| Republican |  Rod Blum
| 51.1% | 147,762 |
I want to share the list of events coming up. Please take note of DC's Emancipation Day, where a series of events will take place, be sure to visit the http://www.dc51.us/events for latest updated information on events.
And be sure to check out the new edition of the DC Statehood Today Show, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYXO2qF4IbU, that will start playing on DCTV (check your cable listing) in April.
I look forward to seeing some of you at some of these events.
Thank you,
Franklin Garcia
US Representative (Shadow) for the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, C-09
Washington DC 20004
franklin.garcia@dc.gov
202-727-9110 (Office)
Event: Stop Foreclosure Event (Legal and Real Estate Professionals)
Date: April 1st 10:00am-6:00pm
Location: 2111 Florida Avenue NW Washington D.C.
Join Community leaders as they discuss how to stop homelessness and foreclosure.
Contact: PreventingHomelessnessInDC.eventbrite.com
Event: Stop Foreclosure Event (General Public)
Date: April 2nd 10:00am-6:00pm
Location: 2111 Florida Avenue NW Washington D.C.
Join Community leaders as they discuss how to stop homelessness and foreclosure.
Contact: PreventingHomelessnessInDC.eventbrite.com
Event: #DCFilmLife Project Event
Date: April 2nd 9:00am-9:00pm
Location: THEARC
1901 Mississippi Avenue SE Washington, D.C.
#dcfilmlife is a movement established to support local independent filmmakers to get exposure and opportunities for their careers. This event will give our community a voice and give others a window seat to our culture.
Contact: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mommas-safe-haven-presents-the-first-annual-dcfilmlife-dc-film-festival-tickets-21016662403?aff=erelexpmlt
Event: Test My Breasts 5K Walk
Date: April 2nd 2016 7:30am
Location: Hains Point
972 Ohio Dr. SW Washington, D.C.
The Natalie Williams Breast Care Foundation will hold its inaugural Test My Breasts 5K Walk and Wellness Fair at the beautiful Hains point, in Washington, DC. Come out and enjoy yoga, wellness tests and healthy food.
Contact: http://www.whur.com/features/test-my-breasts-5k-walk/
Event: Capitol Hill Power Lunch
Date: April 7th 2016 12:00pm-1:30pm
Location: Room B-338 Rayburn House Office Building
45 Independence Ave SW Washington, D.C.
Join Congressional staffers, representatives with government agencies and energy and tech executives along with policy advocates and more for the STEM4US! Capitol Hill Power Lunch.
Contact: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/capitol-hill-power
Event: Stand Up! "The Road to DC Statehood-Still under Construction"
Date: April 12th 2016 6:30pm
Location: Anacostia Library
1800 Good Hope Rd. SE Washington, D.C.
Please join Stand Up! for a viewing of the film "The Road to DC Statehood-Still Under Construction".
Event: DC Tax Day Protest
Date: April 15th 9:30am
Location: Freedom Plaza
1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC
Join community organizations and the faith community as they march in protest from Freedom Plaza to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building to once again demand an end to Taxation without Representation.
Contact: www.dctaxprotest.org
Event: Emancipation Day Lobbying for Statehood
Date: April 15th 2016 12:30 - 5pm (or any portion of time you can offer)
Location: Cafeteria, Rayburn House Office Building (45 Independence Ave, SE)
Lobby members of Congress to support the New Columbia Admission April 15th, 1-5 PM. Meet at 12:30 in the cafeteria of the Rayburn Building (basement level). No experience necessary; you will join teams with experienced statehood activists.
Contact: Jesse Lovell at pravdasatya@yahoo.com (please put "Statehood" in the subject line).
Event: DC Statehood, Gentrification, and Race
Date: April 15th 2016 2:30pm-4:30pm
Location: The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
801 K St. NW Washington, D.C.
Join Stand Up! for a discussion on topics that are currently effecting the District, including Statehood, Gentrification, and Race.
Contact: http://www.dchistory.org/events/emancipationstatehood/
Event: National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Date: April 16th, 2016 10:00am-12:00pm
Location: Constitution Ave From 7th to 17th streets NW
Tickets are starting at $20 for Grandstand Seating. Standing along the Parade route from Constitution Avenue between 9th and 15th streets NW is free.
Contact: http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/parade2016/
Event: Emancipation Day Parade
Date: April 16th, 2016 12:30pm-1:30pm
Location: 800-1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Join in on the fun for the Emancipation Day Parade.
Contact: http://emancipation.dc.gov/event/emancipation-day-parade-4
Event: Democracy Awakening Statehood Workshop
Date: April 16th, 2016 12:00pm-6:00pm
Location: All Souls Unitarian Church
2835 16th St. NW Washington, D.C.
The workshop will explain the history of second class citizenship of D.C. residents and the emergence of the statehood movement in the 1990's. Learn about the nuts and bolts of creating the state of New Columbia, how we achieved significant momentum in the U.S. Congress since 2010, and the prospect for further advances in 2016.
Event: Democracy Awakening Mass Rally and March
Date: April 17th, 2016 12:00pm-6:00pm
Location: U.S Capitol
1 First Street SE Washington, D.C.
Join DC for Democracy for a Mass Rally and March for Democracy for D.C. residents.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/events/1131533440224134/
Event: Democracy Awakening Congress of Conscience Lobby Day and March
Date: April 18th, 2016 10:30am-4:30pm
Location: U.S Capitol
1 First Street SE Washington, D.C.
Join DC for Democracy for their Lobby Day and March around Capitol Hill. Some volunteers will engage in advocacy/lobbying while others will engage in non-violent direct action.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/events/1131533440224134/
