Paul Strauss

Paul Strauss was born on 11 April 1964 in Brooklyn, NY. He is currently serving his fourth term as United States Senator from the District of Columbia. As Washington DC’s non-voting representative to the United States Senate, Strauss lobbies the U.S. Senate and United States House of Representatives on behalf of the citizens of D.C. in their attempt to gain full federal representation, self-determination, and eventually admittance to the Union as the 51st state.

Prior to being elected Senator in 1996, Paul served in several locally elected government positions including member of the D.C. Democratic State Committee, and Chairperson of an Advisory Neighborhood Commission. Senator Strauss holds a bachelor’s degree from American University School of Government and Public Administration, and a Juris Doctorate from American University’s Washington College of Law, and was a professor at the University’s School of Public Affairs. He is an attorney and principal owner of a law firm specializing in real estate and business law.

The Senator’s primary legislative focus includes Civil rights, political equality, economic justice and International Human Rights. Senator Strauss has been responsible for some of the most innovative and effective efforts at advancing awareness of DC’s un-equal status and advocating for full political equality for Washington DC. His “51 Stars” Campaign features 51 famous celebrities from the world of entertainment, professional sports, and the arts appearing in Public Service Announcements on television promoting DC Statehood.

Senator Strauss also successfully petitioned to have the District of Columbia become a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, an international, nonviolent, and democratic membership organization. As a result, The District of Columbia’s membership in the UNPO has brought worldwide attention to the problem of DC’s un-equal status and it’s need for full statehood.

Senator Strauss’ recent efforts at reforming the previously unratified draft DC Constitution for the new State resulted in that document’s approval by over 86% of voters in a recent referendum election.