The 'A' rating on the District of Columbia's series 2006 certificates of participation reflects: The sound, fundamental credit quality of the district (GO rating, 'A+'); The district's history of making annual appropriations to pay lease debt and its absolute and unconditional obligation to make debt service payments upon appropriation; and The strong commitment at the city and federal oversight level to ensure that the district appropriates to cover debt service obligations. The series 2006 certificates are being issued to finance the design and construction of a 292-bed psychiatric hospital to be built to replace the existing Saint Elizabeth Hospital on district-owned property. Responsibility for the hospital was transferred to the district from the U.S. government in 1987. In 1998, it
