Photo by Erik Ogan on Flickr
Our local Congresswoman spoke out today against the sledding ban on the Capitol grounds. A press release from Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office stated that she sent a letter to U.S. Capitol Police Board Chair Frank Larkin “urging the board to overturn of the prohibition on sledding on the Capitol Grounds.” She said it should not take an act of Congress to get reasonable regulations that allow sledding on Capitol Grounds. “Americans should be able to sled on America’s front lawn,” Norton wrote.
While her letter says that the ban was not enforced for years, many of us remember getting kicked off during Snowmageddon, and a special weekend waiver being granted thanks to the efforts of Senator Dodd, who took action after he and his daughters were denied sledding fun.
Norton also argued, “Because of high-residential density, there are few places to sled in the city, and the grounds of the U.S. Capitol – the Hill – provide a perfect sledding venue. The sledding ban appears to be arbitrary. There is so little snow here that there will not be frequent sledding and, therefore, no significant damage to Capitol Grounds.”
Roll Call reported earlier this week that their sources indicated the enforcement was due to an official complaint from a single lawmaker who did not “like the appearance of having the public sled next to the Capitol.”
Below is a copy of Norton’s letter:
February 24, 2015
The Honorable Frank J. Larkin
U.S. Sergeant at Arms
Chair, Capitol Police Board
U.S. Capitol, Room S-151
Washington, DC 20510Dear Mr. Larkin:
Sledding on U.S. Capitol Grounds is one of the oldest traditions in the nation’s capital. Although I understand that sledding has been banned for years, what I do not understand is why the U.S. Capitol Police have recently decided to enforce this Scrooge-like ban. Because the Capitol Police Board issues the regulations, I am reaching out directly to the Board to request that sledding be permitted on U.S. Capitol Grounds.
The District of Columbia received enough snowfall to bring out sledding children and their parents last week. Left to enforce the ban for no good reason, some U.S. Capitol Police turned away families invoking security. Because of high-residential density, there are few places to sled in the city, and the grounds of the U.S. Capitol – the Hill – provide a perfect sledding venue. The sledding ban appears to be arbitrary. There is so little snow here that there will not be frequent sledding and, therefore, no significant damage to Capitol Grounds. Moreover, the public is not barred from walking or playing games on the grounds. I understand that there may be reasonable limits placed on sledding, but an absolute ban on sledding in the little snow the District has on the grounds of the People’s House and the Senate is unseemly and unnecessary.
Americans should be able to sled on “America’s front lawn.” I am asking that the Capitol Police Board remove the ban on sledding from Capitol Police Regulations. Please respond concerning your review of this issue within 30 days.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton
CC: The Honorable Paul D. Irving, Sergeant at Arms, U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine
Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers