Read the full stored bill text
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
1
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
26-113
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
December 2, 2025
To recognize and acknowledge the efforts of the organizers and participants in the Recess at the
Capitol advocacy through inspiring greater civic engagement among residents of the
District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2025, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that treated the
District as a federal agency and reduced the District's budget back to Fiscal Year 2024 levels ,
resulting in the loss of authority to spend approximately $1.1 billion in local funds;
WHEREAS, this reduction affected all areas of local government, including public safety,
infrastructure, and education;
WHEREAS, the District’s representative in Congress, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes
Norton and local officials including the Mayor and members of the Council of the District of
Columbia, other local elected officials, activists, and community members rallied together in
response to the budget crisis;
WHEREAS, State Board of Education Ward 8 Representative LaJoy Johnson-Law, Ward
8 resident Allyson Criner Brown, and Jhonna Turner and Christina Hanson of CARE DC
collaborated to create, plan, and execute an advocacy event which they named "Recess at the
Capitol.” Their vision was to organize a memorable and engaging event during which Members
of Congress could see in person the children, families, and community members who would be
affected by these harmful cuts to the District's budget;
WHEREAS, many local organizations and campaigns including the Washington Teachers'
Union, the Free DC Project (a campaign), DC Action, EmpowerEd, the Metropolitan Washington
Council AFL-CIO, and the DC Charter Alliance joined Recess at the Capitol’s advocacy efforts;
WHEREAS, the first Recess at the Capitol event, held on March 13, 2025, brought over
700 District residents -- including representatives from the organizations and community groups
mentioned above to the Hart Senate Office Building, where together they urged Senate offices to
restore the District’s budget to Fiscal Year 2025 levels;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
2
WHEREAS, after the United States Senate unanimously passed the DC Local Funds Act
of 2025 to restore the District’s budget, the organizers of Recess at the Capitol planned a second
event on April 7, 2025, where over 300 D.C. residents showed up to continue their advocacy with
members of Congress. Included in that group were students from Lee Montessori Public Charter
School, who demonstrated exemplary civic engagement by writing handwritten letters to members
of the U.S. House of Representatives and meeting with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton;
and
WHEREAS, the Recess at the Capitol series deserves to be recognized for its impact as a
local demonstration that spanned across communities and inspired greater civic engagement
among District residents of all ages and backgrounds.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Recess at the Capitol Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of
2025”.
Sec. 2. The Council acknowledges and commends the organizers and participants in
Recess at the Capitol for their work to promote civic engagement amongst District of Columbia
residents and for their advocacy related the FY 2025 budget.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.