{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-molinaro-introduce-words-matter-district-columbia-courts-act-remove", "Norton, Molinaro Introduce Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act to Remove Derogatory Language from D.C. Code", "2023-11-01", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", "norton", "https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Marc Molinaro (R-NY) today introduced the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act, which would remove the term \u201cretarded\u201d from Title 11 of the District of Columbia Code and replace it with more appropriate and respectful terminology. Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, only Congress can amend Title 11 of the D.C. Code.\n\n\u201cWords indisputably matter, and I am pleased to be joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in bringing the D.C. Code into the 21st Century,\u201d Norton said. \u201cMy own daughter, Katherine, has Down syndrome. I\u2019m appalled at the thought of someone using the \u2018R-word\u2019 slur toward her, and it is unacceptable that the derogatory term is still a part of the D.C. Code.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m introducing the bipartisan Words Matter for the D.C. Courts Act to replace language that disparages the disability community with terminology that respects human dignity,\u201d Molinaro said. \u201cThere\u2019s value in every person. Our laws and our words should reflect that.\u201d\n\nThe Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act has been endorsed by the National Down Syndrome Society, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, the National Down Syndrome Congress and the Special Olympics.\n\n\u201cFor too long, our nation\u2019s laws have used hurtful and dehumanizing language to describe people with Down syndrome and differently-abled individuals,\u201d said Global Down Syndrome Foundation President & CEO, Michelle Sie Whitten. \u201cWe are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Congressman Marc Molinaro for their efforts to remove forever these slurs in the District of Columbia Code and replace them with inclusive and respectful language. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this legislation and related bills to remove this terrible terminology from all U.S. laws.\u201d\n\n\u201cAntiquated and derogatory language, like the \u201cR\u201d word, does not accurately reflect the inherent dignity and capabilities of individuals with disabilities,\u201d says Kandi Pickard, President and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). \u201cNDSS applauds Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Congressman Marc Molinaro for taking the necessary steps to ensure this harmful language is removed from the D.C. court system. As a fellow parent of a child with Down syndrome, this legislation reaffirms that our loved ones are valued and respected members of our communities and our nation\u2019s capital.\u201d\n\n\"The National Down Syndrome Congress applauds Congresswoman Norton and Congressman Molinaro for introducing the 'Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act,'\u201d said NDSC Interim Executive Director, Stephanie Smith Lee. \u201cEliminating derogatory terms like the 'R-word' is not just a legislative change; it's a commitment to dignity and respect for all. We urge Congress to quickly pass this important bill and remove this offensive slur from the D.C. court system.\"\n\nNorton's introductory remarks are below.\n\nStatement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton\n\non the Introduction of the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act\n\nNovember 1, 2023\n\nToday, I introduce the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act, which would remove the term \u201cretarded\u201d from Title 11 of the District of Columbia Code and replace it with more appropriate and respectful terminology. I am pleased that Representative Marc Molinaro is the co-lead of this bill.\n\nRemoving the term from the law has bipartisan support. In 2010, Congress removed several instances of the term from federal law by passing Rosa\u2019s Law (P.L. 111-256). Earlier this year, I joined both Republican and Democratic colleagues in introducing the Words Matter Act, which would remove several more instances of the term from federal law.\n\nThe term is used three times in Title 11 of the D.C. Code, and, under the D.C. Home Rule Act, only Congress can amend Title 11 of the D.C. Code.\n\nThere was a time when the term was a clinical term, but in more recent years, it has become a slur used against people with intellectual disabilities. Words indisputably matter, and I know our country is better than keeping such language in our law.\n\nI urge my colleagues to support this bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://norton.house.gov/media/press-releases/norton-molinaro-introduce-words-matter-district-columbia-courts-act-remove"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0987501591444016, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}