The hearing can be seen in its entirety at http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/equality-for-the-district-of-columbia-discussing-the-implications-of-s-132-the-new-columbia-admission-act-of-2013.

Excited DC Statehood advocates and organizers began lining up for the 3 pm hearing at 1 pm.  Eventually so many people packed the main hearing room that an overflow room was added where people still had to be turned away.  Members of Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC), founded in 1997 to pursue equal rights through DC Statehood, were joined by some advocates who preceded Stand Up!'s founding and by others who are newer to but also committed to the cause.  At times, it felt like a DC Statehood reunion.

Witnesses included DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Executive Director Wade Henderson, Mayor Vincent Gray, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Constitutional scholar Professor Viet Dihn, U.S. Senators (non-voting) Paul Strauss and Michael Brown, Brookings Institute Senior Fellow Alice Rivln all who testified in favor of DC Statehood and the lone opponents - ranking committee member Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Roger Pilon, Ph.D. of the Cato Institute.  

Stand Up! gives its sincere and heart-felt thanks to Senator Carper for holding the hearing.  Sen. Carper's historic hearing was justified by the fact that the United States Congress MUST end the shameful disenfranchisement and the abuse which the more than 650,000 US residents suffer daily and suffered for over 213 years.  We are greatly encouraged when Senator Carper said "...don't give up!"

DC Statehood activists left inspired and motivated to keep the movement moving and determined to grow the movement within the District of Columbia and expand it beyond its borders to make it a national movement and end this national and international stain on American democracy. With the usual cosponsorship of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, we look forward to further action by the Senate soon.