bloomingdale: Ward 5 Report: Honoring Native Washingtonians; Announcing a DDOT Roundtable in Ward 5

From: Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie [mailto:kmcduffie=dccouncil.us@mail94.suw15.mcsv.net] On Behalf Of Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie

Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2017 10:22 AM
Subject: Ward 5 Report: Honoring Native Washingtonians; Announcing a DDOT Roundtable in Ward 5

In this Ward 5 Report: Legislation to honor native Washingtonians of color and women; and DDOT roundtable in Ward 5

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Neighbors,

In the District of Columbia we are proud to serve as the nation's capital. When we walk around our city, history and memorials are all around us. Unfortunately, many of the statues and memorials around D.C. lack the beautiful gender and racial diversity of our city and our country.

That is why I introduced the Charles Hamilton Houston and Other Diverse Washingtonian Commemorative Works Act of 2017. The District is the birth place to many unsung heroes who have played significant roles in important District and national historical events. This bill is designed to memorialize those trailblazers, honor their legacy, and increase representation of native Washingtonian women and people of color throughout the city. This bill directs the Commemorative Works Commission, with community input and Council approval, to select and build a minimum of eight statues, one in each ward, that highlight native Washingtonians who are women and people of color that have significantly influenced the District's history.

Finally, the legislation directs the Commemorative Works Commission to begin by erecting a statue of one of my heroes, Charles Hamilton Houston. Houston is a native Washingtonian who laid the legal foundation responsible for dismantling the American system of segregation. Houston grew up in D.C., graduated from historic Dunbar High School here in Ward 5, and served as Dean of Howard University Law School before becoming special counsel for the NAACP. Because of his premature death at age 54, he is less well known than some of the students he taught such as Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American United States Supreme Court Justice.

I hope you will join me and support this legislation.

In Service,

Kenyan

Watch news coverage of the Charles Hamilton Houston and Other Diverse Washingtonian Commemorative Works Act of 2017:

CM McDuffie talks with CW50's Candice Cole in front of the Sterling Brown house in Brookland. Click to view the segment online.

CM McDuffie and NBC4's Kristin Wright discuss his bill to build more diverse statues in Farragut Square. Click to watch the segment online.

In this issue of the Ward 5 Report:

Ceremonial Resolutions

Ceremonial resolutions are a way to officially recognize contributions to the District of Columbia by an individual or organization. I recently had the pleasure of recognizing two Ward 5 residents who have contributed for decades and continue to do so.

Mary Childs 104th Birthday Recognition Resolution of 2017

Mary Childs recently celebrated her 104th birthday! She has lived in the Edgewood neighborhood since the 1940s. She is a graduate of Dunbar High School, and worshipped and served at Mount Bethel Baptist Church.

Bernard Gibson Recognition Resolution of 2017

Bernard Gibson has made contributions to District sports for over 70 years. He is a resident of the Fort Lincoln community where he has led a senior exercise program that makes significant impacts on the quality of life of its participants, and was awarded the Presidential Physical Fitness Award from President Barack Obama. Mr. Gibson spent time professionally working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center helping veterans living with disabilities to participate in the annual Golden Age Games, in which he has also competed and won over 100 medals.

Courtney Williams Recognition Resolution of 2017
Courtney Williams was born and raised here in the District of Columbia and is a graduate of Ballou High School. He spent his professional career helping older adults as a City Planner for the District of Columbia Office of Aging for 27 years and has continued to make significant contributions even after retirement as a volunteer for several organizations.

Kenyan in the Community

District Department of Transportation Roundtable in Ward 5

Join Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie and Councilmember Mary Cheh, Chair of the Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment:

Date: Thursday, July 13
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Catholic University of America, Pryzbyla Center
620 Michigan Ave NE

Ward 5 Day at the National Building Museum

On Tuesday, August 8, Ward 5 residents are invited to visit the National Building Museum's summer exhibit, Hive, with complimentary admission from 9-11am. Story time and mobile library book check-out will be provided by D.C. Public Library. Visit go.nbm.org/hive for more information.

Community Meeting Summer Recess Schedule

Community groups often go into recess during the summer. Below is the recess schedule for Ward 5 community meetings. There are often last minute changes or special meetings, so please check directly with the organization to confirm the information below.