Council of the District of Columbia

Committee of the Whole

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

MEMORANDUM

TO: Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council

FROM: Phil Mendelson, Chairman

DATE: October 1, 2020

RE: Request to Place Measure on the Agenda for October 6, 2020 Legislative Meeting

This memorandum is to request the following measures be placed on the agenda for the October 6, 2020 Legislative Meeting:

Black Lives Matter Plaza Designation Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2020
Black Lives Matter Plaza Designation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2020

In response to protests in D.C. and across the country, and in recognition of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that Black lives do matter, Mayor Muriel Bowser stated publicly the portion of 16th Street N.W. between H Street N.W. and I Street N.W. should be designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza on June 5, 2020. The Council adopted the designation by emergency act (Bill 23-776) on June 9, 2020, and again on July 14, 2020 by separate emergency act (Bill 23-785), still retroactive to the June 9, 2020 date.

Because of the retroactive applicability, the underlying emergency act expired on September 5, 2020. However, the temporary version of the measure (Bill 23-786) has not yet completed congressional review. Emergency legislation is necessary to prevent a gap in the law with respect to the designation.

The measures are attached. Please call me or Mr. Evan Cash if you have any questions at (202) 724-7002.

cc: All Councilmembers

Council Officers

Evan Cash

Committee and Legislative Director

Committee of the Whole

Chairman Phil Mendelson

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Suite 410

Washington, DC 20004

Tel: (202) 724-7002