No. 96-7192 Argued May 11, 1998 Decided July 24, 1998 Amended August 3, 1998 Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (No. 96cv00339). Jonathan M. Smith, appointed by the court, argued the cause and filed the briefs for appellant. Mary L. Wilson, Assistant Corporation Counsel, argued the cause for the District of Columbia appellees. With her on the briefs were John Ferren, Corporation Counsel, and Charles L. Reischel, Deputy Corporation Counsel. Jo Anne Robinson,