District of Columbia. Statehood Commission.

A statehood initiative, approved by D.C. residents in 1980 and made into law soon after by the City Council, provided for the creation of the D.C. Statehood Commission and Compact Commission. The two Commissions were established to educate the public about statehood and study ways to achieve statehood. The Statehood Commission's activities included testifying before Congress on statehood, establishing a Statehood Resource Center, designing a public school curriculum, and participating in the D.C. Constitutional Convention (1981-1982). After the statehood bill was defeated in 1983, the Commission's budget and activities were decreased dramatically.