Paul Strauss (D-DC-”Shadow” Senator)

Paul Strauss (D-DC-Shadow Senator)

Paul Strauss: District of Columbia, Shadow Senator***

Paul Strauss Biography from dc.gov

Biography of Paul Strauss

Paul Strauss is serving his third term as [a … Shadow] Senator for the District of Columbia. As a non-voting representative to the US Senate, Strauss lobbies the Senate and the House of Representatives on behalf of DC citizens in their attempt to gain full federal representation, self-determination and eventually admittance to the union as the nation’s 51st state. Senator Strauss also works closely with DC’s Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Mayor and the DC Council members to advance the interest of local residents on federal issues.

Biography from US Senator Paul Strauss – District of Columbia (Shadow)

Paul Strauss is currently serving his third term as US Senator from the District of Columbia (Shadow). As a non-voting representative to the US Senate, Strauss lobbies the US Senate and the US House of Representatives on behalf of the citizens of DC in their attempt to gain full Federal representation, self-determination, and eventually admittance to the union as the nation’s 51st state. The Senator also works closely with our non-voting Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Mayor and the DC Council members to advance the interest of local residents on Federal issues.

Prior to being elected Senator in 1996, Paul served in several locally elected government positions. His elected positions include: at-large member of the D.C. Democratic State Committee, Chairperson of the Democratic Party’s D.C. Statehood Committee, Chairperson of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3E, and Chairperson of Neighborhood Planning Council #3. Paul was first elected the ANC in 1986. In 1987, he became the youngest ANC chairperson and served as an ANC Commissioner until 1996.

The Senator has worked as a Legislative Assistant to the D.C. Council’s Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, and as a Union Organizer for Hotel and Restaurant Employee’s Local 25. He has been an adjunct professor of Political Science at the American University Department of Government.

Paul Strauss has been a resident of the District of Columbia since 1982. He currently serves as Chairperson on the Board of Real Property Assessment and Appeals for the District of Columbia, and is an attorney in private practice. He was President of the Northwest Youth Alliance, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides job opportunities to D.C. youth. Paul has a bachelor’s degree from American University School of Government and Public Administration, and a Juris Doctorate from A.U.’s Washington College of Law.

NOTES

*** The District of Columbia elects a Member to assume the position of Representative in the United States House and 2 persons to assume the positions of Senator (a Class I and Class II Member.) These persons act as “Shadow” members of congress. They have no rights to vote or represent in either house. They act as a lobbying arm of the District of Columbia for the purpose of Statehood and other legal and financial benefit. In the event of Statehood they would in theory become the Member of the House and 2 Senator from the District of Columbia. Full and Equal Statehood would require amendingArticle 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. ***