Politics

4_242013_gray-20120711-002-08201.jpg

D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray had encouraged voters to "emancipate" themselves by voting in favor of the charter amendment to give the District more budget autonomy from Congress. Voters did so in a low-turnout election on Tuesday. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

4_242013_beltway-28201.jpg

A coalition of activist groups, including Code Pink, fought in court for their right to protest the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library on Thursday.

4_242013_bush-library-museum-58201.jpg

The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of President Bush's eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd president's policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

4_242013_bush-library-128201.jpg

Boots commemorating the time Mr. Bush was general managing partner for the Texas Rangers are on display.

4_242013_bush-library-158201.jpg

The bullhorn President Bush used at ground zero following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks is seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center .

LIBRARY_11801

In this photo taken April 16, 2013, the main entrance courtyard is shown at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)

LIBRARY_11800

FILE - In this April 5, 2013 file photo, the exterior of the George W. Bush Presidential Center is seen, in Dallas. Former first lady Laura Bush wanted to make sure that the George W. Bush Presidential Center reflected her and her husbandÃs Texas roots. And it does, right down to the foundation that includes limestone from the Midland area where they grew up and lived when they were first married. The about 226,000-square-foot center, home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum along with the 43rd president's policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday, April 25, 2013, on the campus of Southern Methodist University, which is not far from the Bushes' Dallas home and is also where Laura Bush earned her bachelor's degree in education. The library opens to the public on May 1.(AP Photo/Kim Johnson Flodin)

LIBRARY_11799

Statues of former Presidents George W. Bush, left and George HW Bush are seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LIBRARY_11798

Statues of former Presidents George W. Bush, left and George HW Bush are seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LIBRARY_11797

In this photo taken April 16, 2013, an exhibit displaying various images of freedom and democracy are seen in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)

LIBRARY_11796

The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. is seen on a LED screen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LIBRARY_11795

A replica of the Oval Office is seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LIBRARY_11794

A replica of the Oval Office is seen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LIBRARY_11793

In this photo taken April 16, 2013, a quote from the 2000 Republican National Convention by George W. Bush greets visitors to the museum exhibit section of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)

LIBRARY_11792

In this photo taken April 16, 2013, statues of Barney, left, and Miss Beazley, the beloved Scottish Terriers of president George W. Bush and Laura Bush, are seen in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)

LIBRARY_11790

In this photo taken April 16, 2013, a portion an exhibit is shown in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)

LIBRARY_11789

In this photo taken April 16, 2013, various campaign memorabilia is shown in the museum area at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas. The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of BushÃs eight years in office. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along with 43rd presidentÃs policy institute, will be dedicated Thursday on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)

LIBRARY_11788

An ornate dog dish is among gifts given to President George W. Bush that are seen on display during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

LIBRARY_11787

The U.S. constitution is seen on a LED screen during a tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Wednesday, April 24, 2013, in Dallas. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the invitation-only dedication of the center, Thursday, April 25, which will house the presidential library and museum along with the 43rd presidentÃs policy institute. It opens to the public on May 1. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)