John Capozzi Collection

Collection

Identifier: 125

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The John Capozzi Collection documents John Capozzi’s political career throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The majority of the materials relate to Capozzi’s roles as D.C. Shadow Representative and an advocate for D.C. statehood, as well as his fight to prevent the construction of the Barney Circle Freeway. This collection includes items such as personal and non-personal correspondence and memoranda, press clippings and releases, meeting agendas and minutes, financial information for various committees and organizations with which Capozzi was involved, newsletters, fliers, advertisements, membership lists, by-laws, reports, and ephemera. It is divided into nine series: 1. D.C. statehood, 2. Barney Circle Freeway fight, 3. Barney Circle Neighborhood Watch, 4. Campaign, 5. D.C. politics, 6. Pollution, 7. General press, 8. General correspondence, and 9. Personal ephemera.

Dates

Creation: 1978-2001

Creator

Capozzi, John J., Jr. (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions to accessing this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

DC Public Library holds copyright to this collection. Noncommerical use is permitted. Please contact peoples.archive@dc.gov with questions.

Biographical / Historical

John Capozzi is a Democratic politician in the District of Columbia. After graduating from Shippensburg University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, he moved to Washington, D.C. to attend American University, where he earned a Masters of Public Administration. He then entered the District’s political scene by working on several campaigns and serving on various committees as a representative of the District’s sixth ward. Capozzi was a member of the D.C. Democratic State Committee, the D.C. Statehood Commission, and Ward 6 Democrats. He also became president of the Barney Circle Neighborhood Association in 1993. The following year, Capozzi was elected as the D.C. Shadow Representative to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from January 1995 to January 1997. He was the second person to serve in this office. During this time, Capozzi undertook many efforts to achieve statehood for the District, including letter writing and media campaigns, lobbying in Congress, and even attempting to bring suit against the United States Government for violation of human rights. Capozzi remains active in the D.C. political scene, continuing to raise awareness for statehood and working on political campaigns.

In addition to his political endeavors, Capozzi owned and operated a technical recruiting firm called C Associates. As a business owner, Capozzi followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dominico “Louis” Capozzi, who built a successful dry cleaning and tailoring business, Belcap Co., after immigrating to the United States in 1912. Capozzi has also worked for BMRi Consulting and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer of the District of Columbia.

Extent

2.5 Linear feet

5 Boxes

Additional Description

Arrangement

Series Description: (for each series, noting unique items)
Series 1: D.C. statehood, 1989-2000 [1 linear foot]
This series contains materials that document the fight for D.C. statehood, especially related to John Capozzi’s work during his time as the U.S. Shadow representative. Items include press clippings, correspondence, financial information and meeting documents from the D.C. Statehood Commission, reports, and media materials such as fliers and scripts for commercials.

Series 2: Barney Circle Freeway fight, 1978-1997 [1 linear foot]
This series documents the controversy and events surrounding the proposed construction of a freeway bridge across the Anacostia River to link Interstates 295 and 395, which was a core issue during John Capozzi’s political career in the 1990s. Materials include press clippings and releases, reports, fliers, memoranda and correspondence (including citizens’ letter writing campaigns addressed to both mayors), and background information related to this controversy.

Series 3: Barney Circle Neighborhood Watch, 1989-2001[3 folders]
This series includes press clippings and releases, meeting minutes, fliers, and background information related to the Barney Circle Neighborhood Watch and the Orange Hat Patrol, which John Capozzi helped establish.

Series 4: Campaign, 1992-1996 [1 folder]
This series includes background and biographical information, correspondence, press clippings and releases, and ephemera related to the political background and campaign activities of John Capozzi.
Series 5: D.C. politics, 1993-1995 [1 folder]
This series includes notes, reports, meeting agendas, and other materials related to various D.C. political and social issues, such as budget, education, and health.

Series 6: Pollution, 1994 [1 folder]
This series includes press clippings and background information related to the revelation that the majority of pollution in the D.C. metropolitan area could be found in predominantly African American areas. It also includes an extensive report on the subject of pollution.

Series 7: General press, 1990-2000 [1 folder]
This series includes press clippings and releases on topics such as entrepreneurial groups for young African American citizens, tax issues, potholes, and the arrest and trial of D.C. Mayor Marion Barry for drug and tax violations. There are also a number of press clippings related to the controversy over perceived anti-Semitism during speeches and activities involving Nation of Islam leaders Kalim Abdul Mohammad, Louis Farrakhan, and Malik Zulu Shabazz at Howard University in 1994.

Series 8: General correspondence, 1990-2000 [4 folders]
Throughout his career, John Capozzi was in contact with many people regarding a variety of subjects, including personal and social events, lectures and public appearances, assistance for students writing papers on political subjects, and support for various political campaigns. This series includes general correspondence in the form of facsimiles, memoranda, letters, message slips, and cards. It also includes three folders containing undated blank letterhead with the inscription, “John Capozzi/ U.S. Representative/ State of New Columbia.”

Series 9: Personal ephemera, 1993-2000 [1 folder]
This series includes notes, personal cards, bills, newsletters, award ceremony programs, and other ephemera that is not related to the Barney Circle Freeway fight, Neighborhood Watch, or the struggle for D.C. Statehood.

Custodial History

John Capozzi donated this collection to the DC Public Library on October 28, 2006.

Processing Information

Processing of this collection consisted of sorting materials into series and refoldering them into archival housing. Unnecessary original housing materials were discarded. Materials are arranged chronologically in each folder, with undated items in the front. Where necessary, rusted paper clips and staples were removed and replaced with plastic clips.