Councilmember David A. Catania - Protect Elected Officials; Catania Says

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January 6, 2009
06:41 pm
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Protect Elected Officials; Catania Says

WASHINGTON, D.C. –D.C. Councilmember David Catania (I-At-Large) introduced legislation today that establishes criminal penalties for individuals who threaten or injure an ANC Commissioner or damage a Commissioner’s property. Catania hopes that this measure will provide a standard of protection for elected officials who stand on the front line of many neighborhood issues.

Catania said, “ANC Commissioners serve their communities and receive no salary for doing so. They should at least receive the same protection that is afforded to witnesses who appear before the Council.”

The “Protection of Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners from Intimidation and Assault Act” levies a fine of at most $2,000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years.

ANC Commissioner Kathy Henderson pushed for this legislation, “The ANC Protection Act will allow commissioners to serve the interests of constituents without fear of reprisal. No commissioner should ever face criminal retaliation as a result of serving the public and helping to make our neighborhoods safer, underscoring the oath of office we all took to undertake our respective duties without fear or favor.”

For more information on this matter, please contact the Office of Councilmember David Catania by calling 202-724-7772.