November 1, 2023
Contact: Sharon Eliza Nichols – 202-225-8143
Norton, Molinaro Introduce Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act to Remove Derogatory Language from D.C. Code
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 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 “retarded” 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.
“Words 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,” Norton said. “My own daughter, Katherine, has Down syndrome. I’m appalled at the thought of someone using the ‘R-word’ slur toward her, and it is unacceptable that the derogatory term is still a part of the D.C. Code.”
“I’m 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,” Molinaro said. “There’s value in every person. Our laws and our words should reflect that.”
The 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 Disabilities, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, the National Down Syndrome Congress and the Special Olympics.
“Antiquated and derogatory language, like the “R” word, does not accurately reflect the inherent dignity and capabilities of individuals with disabilities,” says Kandi Pickard, President and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). “NDSS 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’s capital.”
Norton's introductory remarks are below.
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
on the Introduction of the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act
November 1, 2023
Today, I introduce the Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act, which would remove the term “retarded” 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.
Removing the term from the law has bipartisan support. In 2010, Congress removed several instances of the term from federal law by passing Rosa’s 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.
The 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.
There 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.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
###