DC Mayor Has Choice Words For Congress

At today's opening dedication of the new African American Civil War Museum, DC Mayor Vincent Gray had some choice words.

Gray was referencing the issue of home rule in the District of Columbia, and District not having a say in how its own money is spent.

"We are not free in the District of Columbia", the mayor shouted.

Gray said today's dedication of the African American Civil War Museum, and the August, 2011 dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is the "perfect opportunity" for the District's 600,000 residents to stand up in defense of that fact.

Gray, in an increasingly excitable tone, posed the question, "Why is it that we have to send our laws up to a body that has becoming increasingly famous for the gridlock that exists everyday on Capital Hill".

The new African American Civil War Museum is located at 1925 Vermont Avenue, sitting just behind the old Grimke School.

"My mother used to go to Grimke School", said council member Yvette Alexander who said of the museum, "it's a wonderful way for America to learn about our history in the civil war".

Also present for the dedication were council member Jim Graham, councilman Kwame Brown, Bill Lucy, Congresswoman Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and the Honorable Jesse Jackson, Jr., who, along with others, were given dedication awards on the day.

The museum boasts a permanent exhibition portraying the extraordinary African American struggle for freedom in the United States. The museum houses a Descendants Registry for Civil War ancestors to trace their lineage, along with several artifacts for the civil war period.

To learn more visit www.AfroAMcivilwar.org.

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Click here for Jesse Jackson, Jr. remarks.

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