District of Columbia Statehood

Jesse Jackson, Washington DC's "shadow" senator, spoke to the National Press Club luncheon about statehood for Washington, DC. Rev. Jackson warned that "phase two" of the Persian Gulf war would cost the United States even more than the military conflict: to maintain a "new world order" within the global community. He said the U.S. cannot justify military expenditures abroad while social ills such as poverty and homelessness remain at home. Rev. Jackson called for statehood for Washington DC on the grounds that the lack of representation of DC's population is contrary to the ideals the U.S. government had been fighting for in the Persian Gulf war. He criticized a number of the Bush administration's policies, including giving "the green light" to the Kurds in Iraq to rebel against Saddam Hussein's government, and stated that the U.S. must reinvest in its cities to help its own citizens. Rev. Jackson also wanted a national health program for returning troops and a guaranteed college education for the children of the returning troops. He supported the 1991 Civil Rights bill to combat racism and sexism in American society. Priorities of the domestic program, according to Rev. Jackson, also exist in affordable housing, education, fighting drugs, improving health care, and the environment. He proposed an American investment bank to reinvest in the American people. Rev. Jackson also criticized Los Angeles Police Commissioner Gates, who he said showed no remorse when viewing the videotaped police beating of unarmed Rodney King, and said the U.S. deserves better.