Linda Cropp papers
Collection Scope and Content
This collection contains reports, journals, testimonies, correspondence, memorabilia, photographs, certificates, awards, memorandums and proposals pertaining to issues dealt with by Linda Cropp as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia from 1990-2006. Topics covered include: Naturopathic medicine, Medical Malpractice, D.C. Hospitals including the Greater Southeast Community Hospital and National Medical Center, D.C. Public Schools, Tobacco Legislation and D.C. Baseball. The bulk of the materials date between 1994-2004 and tend to relate to the broad topic of D.C. health.
This collection was donated by Linda Cropp in 2007.
This collection is not fully processed. All the material arrived loose and has been foldered into broad topics. It is available for use, but may require more additional research time to understand the order. Please contact Special Collections for more information.
Dates
- 1985-2006
Creator
- Cropp, Linda (Person)
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open for research.
Restrictions on Use
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Historical or Biographical Note
Linda Cropp, born October 5, 1947, in Atlanta, Georgia, was a Democratic member of the Council of the District of Columbia from 1990-2006, where she served as the elected Council Chairman(1997-2006).
In 1980 she became the Ward 4 representative to the Board of Education, where she was later elected vice president and president.
In 1990, she was elected as an at-large member to the Council of the District of Columbia. Cropp also served as the Councilors representative to the Board of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. In that capacity, she held the position of Chair of the Budget Committee and played a major role in the expansion of the Metro Rail system.
In 1992, Cropp was selected to chair the Councilors Committee on Human Services. Under her oversight, the Department of Health was created. The re-organized agency focused on priorities including: controlling substance abuse, reducing infant mortality, eradicating tuberculosis, and fighting HIV/AIDS. She continued to chair the Committee after her 1994 re-election to the Council, but this time to an At-Large seat. With a desire to encourage self-sufficiency, Cropp introduced the Public Assistance Self-Sufficiency Program Amendment Act of 1996. She guided the act through the legislative process and oversaw the beginning of welfare reform in the District. In addition, Cropp oversaw the movement toward a comprehensive health care system that began with unification of D.C. General Hospital and the public health clinics.
Council colleagues chose her as acting chairman, in April 1997, following the death of David A. Clarke. After her victory in a special election, she was sworn in on August 8, 1997 as the first woman to chair the Council of the District of Columbia. In 1998, the voters of Washington, D.C. re-elected Linda Cropp to a full four-year term as Chairman of the Council. Again, by an overwhelming majority, Cropp was re-elected as Council Chairman in 2002. As chairman, Cropp has been instrumental in the District governments return to the John A. Wilson building, the historic home of the cities mayor and council.
On September 12, 2006, she lost the Democratic Primary for Mayor.
Extent
15 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The material in this collection reflect issues dealt with by Linda Cropp as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia from 1990-2006.
Collection Organization
Organized into 4 series: Healthcare legislation and research material, DC Council management and legislation, Awards, press and gifts, and Presentations and ceremonies.
Physical Location
Materials are stored off-site, and will require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.
Acquisition Information
Donated in 2007
- Capitol Hill (Washington, D.C.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Cropp, Linda
- Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Politics and government Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Public health Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Washington (D.C.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Williams, Anthony
- Title
- Preliminary Guide to the Linda Cropp papers, 1985-2006
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
- Date
- 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository
