CONCORD – A move to endorse the campaign of the District of Columbia to become America’s 51st state failed miserably in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Rep. Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua, argued that D.C. residents are being denied equal voting and local autonomy rights that all other Americans enjoy.

“I believe the basic issue here is fairness; as Americans, we believe that those of us who work hard and play by the rules should have the same opportunities,’’ Rosenwald said.

“For the 600,000 people who live in the nation’s capital, these rules do not apply.’’

Rep. Daniel Tamburello, R-Londonderry, said the Founding Fathers intended the nation’s capital not be linked with any individual state.

“The District of Columbia is just as our founders envisioned it would be in the Constitution,’’ Tamburello said.

The House voted to kill this non-binding House resolution (HR 26), 248-79.

Last month, a powerful coalition of D.C. officials came to Concord and urged support for this resolution as part of its ultimate campaign to amend the U.S Constitution.

– KEVIN LANDRIGAN

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