Tributes Flow in for Retiring Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton
- mgedelman
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
By: Miriam Edelman
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), is retiring from Congress. Not surprisingly, Norton’s retirement announcement was met with warm tributes from Members of Congress, major D.C. government officials, and many others. Some of the tributes call for statehood for our nation’s capital. This piece follows up on DCNOW’s blog pieces, entitled “DCNOW Thanks Civil and D.C. Rights Icon, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton for Her Decades of Leadership” and “Retiring Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton Repeatedly Has Been Recognized as an Effective Member of Congress and Has Received Multiple Honors.”
Congress (Current)
Congresswoman Yvette Clark, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and members of the CBC released the following statement:
“For 35 years, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton has honorably served the District of Columbia and our nation. It is with tremendous respect and admiration that we extend our gratitude to Congresswoman Norton as she prepares to retire from Congress next year.”
“As the Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congresswoman Norton has been a guiding force for our members for decades, sharing her wisdom and expertise and helping to shape generations of leadership.”
“Congresswoman Norton’s unparalleled career in public service will be remembered for her work as an activist with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the Civil Rights Movement, organizing the March on Washington; as a law professor and accomplished attorney who argued and won before the Supreme Court; and as the first woman to lead the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, appointed by President Jimmy Carter.”
“In the District of Columbia, Congresswoman Norton has been a fierce defender and advocate for D.C. Home Rule and statehood on behalf of residents who have long been denied voting representation in the national legislature. She has shepherded D.C. through decades of transformation, including the Wharf, Capitol Riverfront, NoMa, the Walter Reed campus, St. Elizabeths West for the Department of Homeland Security, and the transfer of the RFK Stadium site to the District of Columbia.”
“The CBC is deeply grateful for her leadership, mentorship, and lasting impact on D.C. and our nation. We look forward to serving alongside her until the completion of her term and wish her godspeed as she continues to be a champion for D.C. in the next phase of her public service.”
On Facebook, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) wrote:
“Congratulations to Rep. Norton on an incredible career fighting for DC and a well-deserved retirement.”
“We will carry your torch by continuing to fight for the causes you championed over your storied career. DC statehood now.”
On X, Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) wrote:
“Eleanor Holmes Norton is a towering civil rights leader and one of the most prepared Members ever to come to Congress, having already served with distinction as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.”
“Eleanor fought with deep patriotism for the people of the District of Columbia, honoring the history and promise of Washington while never wavering in her demand for justice. A relentless champion of D.C. statehood, she led the charge against taxation without representation—and we were proud to follow her lead.”
“We learned from Eleanor every day; she listened to our Caucus, built consensus, and helped chart the best way forward for DC and America with wisdom and grace.”
On Facebook, Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) wrote:
“It's been an honor to work alongside my dear friend Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, an extraordinary civil rights advocate & longstanding champion on behalf of statehood & equality for residents of the District of Columbia.”
“I thank her for her remarkable service and friendship, and I wish her well as this chapter comes to a close.”
Congressman Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee (which has jurisdiction over the nation’s capital) released the statement below:
“Congresswoman Norton, the Democratic Dean on the Oversight Committee, has served as D.C.’s ‘Warrior on the Hill’ for over 30 years, fighting to ensure Washingtonians received the full rights and representation they deserve. Her advocacy has transformed the District, turned the fight for Washington, D.C. statehood into an unrelenting movement, and she has fought tirelessly on the Oversight Committee to protect D.C.’s home rule.”
“She stands among the most accomplished public servants and civil rights leaders of her generation, and it has been an honor to work and serve alongside her. On behalf of Oversight Democrats, we thank Congresswoman Norton, a tireless fighter and advocate of statehood, for her decades of service, and we look forward to seeing her continuing to champion the people of D.C.”
On X, Clarke wrote:
“Congratulations to my dear friend @EleanorNorton on her upcoming retirement from Congress!”
“I, like so many other recipients of her advocacy and action, salute the 18-term delegate from The District and wish her only the best as she enters the next chapter in her storied career in public service.”
“Eleanor – when Washington, D.C. one day ascends to statehood, it will have done so upon your shoulders. You are a true leader and living legend, and we owe you a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid.”
On Facebook, Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) posted:
“At a time when new leaders are stepping forward, Eleanor Holmes Norton's legacy and years of service reminds us how progress is built and why the work must always continue.”
“From her groundbreaking civil rights advocacy to her decades fighting for the residents of DC to have a voice in our democracy, her impact is undeniable.”
“Thank you for your leadership, lifetime of service, and the lasting impact of your commitment to justice. 💙”
D.C. Government (Current and Former)
“For 35 years, Congresswoman Norton has been our Warrior on the Hill - from securing shutdown protection for the city and the creation of DCTAG, to defeating continued attacks on Home Rule and leading historic votes in the House for DC Statehood. Her work embodies the unwavering resolve of a city that refuses to yield in its fight for equal representation.”
On bsky, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson wrote:
“I appreciate the years of service that Congresswoman Norton has given to the District and its citizens. This is a moment for reflection on all that she has done and all that she has contributed. I thank her for her service and look forward to continue working with her through the rest of this year.”
He also said, “it’s a moment to reflect on all that she has done and all that she has contributed — which is far more than most of us.”
On X, D.C. Councilmember Robert White wrote:
“Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton is an icon whose storied career prior to serving in Congress and tireless advocacy in the House of Representatives transformed how the nation views civil rights including equal opportunity in employment, gender equality and empowerment, the District of Columbia’s fight for Home Rule and the need for D.C. statehood.”
“It was through roles such as her appointment by President Carter to become the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; her role as chair of the New York City Commission on Civil Rights; her work as an organizer for the Student Nonviolence Coordinating Committee; her work as the Assistant Legal Director at the ACLU (New York) and her longtime role as a tenured professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center that Eleanor Holmes Norton became a nationally acclaimed civil rights leader to be reckoned with.”
“Since her election in 1991, Congresswoman Norton has fought every day to advance civil and human rights, expand gender equality, promote inclusive economic growth, and strengthen a judiciary that reflects the full diversity of the American people.”
“As a fifth-generation Washingtonian, from an early age I looked to Congresswoman Norton as a model of what public service should be. Her name is synonymous with authentic leadership. When I had the privilege of joining her staff as legislative counsel, I witnessed firsthand how she wielded a seat without a vote to deliver meaningful results for D.C. residents. For five years, I worked alongside her as she served on the Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where she not only secured critical investments for the District, but also stood firmly as a moral compass for communities too often ignored by powerful interests in Congress. When it came to helping District residents, she leveraged relationships within her caucus and across the aisle to our great benefit.”
“Without Congresswoman Norton’s leadership, many of the neighborhoods and iconic developments in the District as we know it today would not exist, and the movement for statehood would be dramatically less advanced.”
“When elected by D.C. voters in June as the Democratic nominee for Delegate, I will carry forward the torch Congresswoman Norton lit so brightly. She fought for this city every single day, and it would be the honor of a lifetime to continue that work. Largely due to her mentorship, I am ready to serve on day one.”
On blusky, D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau wrote:
“Thank you to our Warrior on the Hill Congresswoman Norton for her tireless efforts on behalf of the people of DC, fighting the good fight, advocating for DC statehood. When I started out in politics as a young woman, she offered support and encouragement, and ½”
On X, D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto wrote:
“As we wait to hear from Congresswoman Norton about her decision about her political future, I am grateful for the incredible legacy that Congresswoman Norton has left each of us here in the District of Columbia and across America. We must heed her example of lifelong commitment to progress for the city we love - and after decades of service to our country, we owe her the respect to allow her to make her own announcement about her next steps.”
Pinto’s post include a link to “DC Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton Files to ‘Terminate’ Reelection Campaign.”
Later, on Instagram, Pinto posted:
“Today, I’m reflecting on the remarkable legacy of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and joining countless Washingtonians in expressing my deep gratitude for your service, leadership, and progress you have made as you announce your retirement. Thank you, @EleanorNorton.”
“Congresswoman Norton never waited for permission to fight for DC - and neither will I. I will defend Home Rule with the same tenacity she did - by building coalitions across the country, forcing votes on important issues, and making it politically impracticable for Congress to ignore the people of DC.”
On Instagram, D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George wrote:
“Today, we honor the incomparable @congresswomannorton for a lifetime of bold, principled leadership for the people of DC.”
“From the civil rights movement to the halls of Congress, Rep. Norton has been a relentless champion for justice, dignity, and full democracy for our city.”
“Because of her leadership, generations of Washingtonians better understand the power of our voices and the urgency of DC statehood.”
“We owe Congresswoman Norton a profound debt of gratitude, and will carry her legacy forward in our continued struggle for justice and self-determination.”
On X, former D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie wrote:
“@EleanorNorton is a giant in DC’s history—a tireless champion for our city’s dignity, democracy, and statehood. I’m grateful for her decades of service, mentorship, and relentless fight for DC residents. Her legacy will endure. #DCStatehood”
On Thread, D.C.’s Shadow Senator Paul Straus wrote:
“I have had the inspiring honor to serve with the legendary @congresswomannorton during her amazing career in the US House of Representatives. As she officially terminates her Federal committee on this date, we honor her impressive legacy of service to the people of Washington DC and acknowledge her many accomplishments in support of DC Statehood and the cause of political equality for all Americans.”
On Facebook, D.C.’s Shadow Senator Ankit Jain wrote:
“Eleanor Holmes Norton has been a trailblazer for DC autonomy and statehood for over three decades. It is per principled stand for democracy, refusal to yield to cynicism and despair, and tenacious advocacy that led the House of Representatives to pass the D.C. statehood bill twice, and her advocacy has set us up to pass the bill through Congress and make DC the 51st state within the next several years. Congresswoman Norton has accomplished so much for DC and this nation during her storied career, and for that, DC is eternally grateful. After so many years of powerful advocacy, I respect Congresswoman Norton’s decision to retire, and I am excited to see DC pass the torch to the next generation.”
“For more than three decades, Congresswoman Norton has been Washington, D.C.’s steadfast warrior on Capitol Hill, a relentless advocate for our city’s right to self-determination, full democracy, and statehood.
“At every pivotal moment, she has stood firm on behalf of D.C. residents, never wavering in her pursuit of justice, equity, and meaningful representation for a city too often denied its rightful voice.”
Others
On Instagram, DC Vote wrote:
“Thank you, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.”
“For decades, you have been a warrior on the Hill, standing up for the people of Washington, DC when the system refused to stand with us.”
“You carried our fight into rooms where DC wasn’t supposed to be heard. You never stopped demanding dignity, representation, and full political power for the people who call this city home.”
“Your service is woven into every step forward this movement has made. The struggle continues, but it does so on the foundation you helped build.”
“With gratitude and respect.”
On Instagram, DC Vote’s interim Executive Director Ilir Zherka wrote:
“Congresswoman Norton, I cherish the 10 years we spent working shoulder-to-shoulder together to advance DC voting rights. Our partnership was special, based on mutual trust and admiration. I witnessed first hand on many occasions what made you our Warrior on the Hill - your relentlessness and courage; your willingness to push opponents and allies alike to do the right thing; and, equally, your openness to working with anyone who could help DC. Your successes on behalf of Washingtonians are too numerous to count. We all owe you a debt of gratitude. As you know, the fight isn’t quite finished yet. DC Vote willingly takes the baton and commits to completing the race. Thank you, congresswoman Norton!”
Call to Action
A major tribute for Norton would be immediate statehood for Washington, D.C. Time is of the essence.
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