Celebrating National Whistleblower Law, Passed 1778

BY ROBERT DEVANEY

It may have been hot and humid, with a brief shower outside, but attendees at the July 27 afterparty could take the heat. Many were whistleblowers, after all — and they crowded the National Whistleblower Center at 3238 P St. NW for this year’s National Whistleblower Appreciation Day celebration.

Yes, there’s a National Whistleblower Day. It is July 30, the day the world’s first whistleblower law was passed by the Continental Congress in 1778.

On July 27, the National Whistleblower Center “honored the contributions of whistleblowers around the world who have bravely stepped forward to expose waste, fraud, and abuse,” they said. Nearly 200 participants, experts, legislators and whistleblowers started the day on Capitol Hill — and met with their top supporter, Sen. Charles Grassley — and finished at NWC’s office in Georgetown “to discuss accomplishments, updates and to share strategies on building effective claims.”

The 10th annual event – the first one held in-person since 2019 – featured a booksigning by Stephen Kohn of his “Rules for Whistleblowers: A Handbook for Doing What’s Right.” Kohn is the center’s board chair.

Speaking of whistleblowers... Sonya Bernhardt, our publisher, and Troy Riemer, one of our designers, attended the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Implications on National Security, Public Safety, and Government Transparency hearing at the Rayburn building on July 26th. The hearing featured testimony from whistleblower David Grusch, among two other witnesses. His claims are out of this world but the Intelligence Community Inspector General found his complaint “credible and urgent” in July 2022 and that eventually led to his testimony at the hearing. On April 6, 2023, The Department of Defense approved his interview for public release but specifically didn’t allow him to

Community Calendar

DOLLEY DAY AT DUMBARTON HOUSE share photographs or supplemental material to support his statements. They also said, “Our concurrence for release does not imply DoD endorsement or factual accuracy.”

Aug. 19, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

It’s great that people like Grusch and many others can come forward through official channels like Congress, but more work still needs to be done to allow whistleblowers to speak out without fear of retribution.

NWC added: “While the Senate has designated July 30 as National Whistleblower appreciation Day annually, whistleblowers and whistleblower advocates believe that President Biden should sign an executive order permanently establishing National Whistleblower Day and requiring all federal agencies to recognize the day.”

For more information, visit whistleblowers. org/national-whistleblower-day.

2715 Q St. NW. On Saturday, Dolley Madison herself will share stories about her life and teach some of her favorite games. Ice cream (a Dolley favorite) and yard games as well.

DANCING ON THE WATERFRONT

Aug. 19, 26, Sept. 2, 9, 5-9:00 p.m

BID, 3300 Water St. NW. Every Saturday night through October.

VIRTUAL MEETING ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION

Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m. Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 2E). For agenda, go to Anc2e.com.

FILING DEADLINE, COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS

Sept. 7

401 F. St. NW, Suite 312. Next Meeting, 9:00 a.m., Sept. 21.

OLD GEORGETOWN BOARD MEETING

Sept. 7, 9:00 a.m. 401 F. St. NW, Suite 312.

THE SALON SERIES FOR THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION

MUSEUM OF FAILURE

Sept. 8 through the Fall, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

3270 M St. NW. Check out this pop-up collection of “failed products and services from around the world.”

CARPE LIBRUM, GEORGETOWN

Sept. 11, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. GMS. Pop-up benefitting Turning the Page DC at the Chase Bank parking lot, corner of Wisconsin Ave. and P St. NW. Find thousands of books, CDs, and more all for under $6.

PATRIOT DAY

Sept. 11

Honoring the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Dr

Sept. 7, 6:30-9:00 p.m. City Tavern, 3206 M St. NW. Meet to discuss vital and provocative issues of the day over cocktails and dinner.

CULTURE POWER BREAKFAST

Sept. 21

Featuring Jacqueline Leary-Warsaw of Catholic University’s Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art will speak at The Georgetowner’s breakfast at the Four Seasons. Doors open at 8:00 a.m.