Joseph Bowser Way Designation Act of 2025

October 6, 2025
N
yasha Smith, Secretary
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
D
ear Secretary Smith,
I
am introducing the “Joseph Bowser Way Designation Act of 2025”. Please see enclosed signed
copy of the legislation.
T
his legislation will symbolically designate the 4800 block of 7th Street, N.E., in Ward 5, as
Joseph Bowser Way. I previously introduced the Joseph Bowser Posthumous Recognition
Resolution of 2024, and I am proud to introduce this legislation with my colleagues,
Councilmembers Christina Henderson, Brianne K. Nadeau, Matthew Frumin, Charles Allen,
Anita Bonds, and Wendell Felder.
M
r. Joseph “Joe” Bowser lived a remarkable life that kept family and public service at its core.
Mr. Bowser was born in Washington, D.C. in 1935. He graduated from Federal City College,
which later joined with two schools to become District of Columbia University. Mr. Bowser
enlisted in the Army Reserves, serving as a Drill Sergeant and Marksmanship Instructor in the
1950s. He married Joan Bowser on July 16, 1960, and the two raised five children: Mercia,
Muriel, Martin, Marvin, and Mark. Mr. Bowser and his family remained residents of Ward 5 for
more than 50 years.
M
r. Bowser’s work with children extended to those beyond his own – he devoted 44 years of his
life to working for the District of Columbia Public Schools, ensuring our city’s students had
clean and safe buildings to flourish as students. He introduced dozens of young men to
government services, helping them earn a good living and raise their families. In 1979, Mr.
Bowser was elected as ANC Commissioner for Single-Member District 5A03, which includes
Michigan Park, and served in this role for over 30 years. He also held multiple leadership
positions in the North Michigan Park Civic Association, and was known as the “fierce Precinct
Captain” of Precinct 66, having championed many community issues using his vast political
knowledge and unwavering commitment to do what was right. Mr. Bowser later served as
Lieutenant Governor of Division 1 of the Capital District of Kiwanis International, an
organization that prioritizes improving the health and livelihoods of children and communities,
in 2007 and 2008.

Mr. Joseph Bowser was the first public figure Mayor Muriel Bowser admired, and his good
deeds are forever remembered by his children and the communities he touched. Mr. Bowser
passed on August 2, 2024, and leaves a legacy that will live on in Ward 5, and the District of
Columbia, for generations to come.

Please feel free to reach out to me or my Legislative Director, Neferteria Brown, with any
questions or for additional information. She can be reached at nbrown@dccouncil.gov or by
phone at (771) 333-9734.

Sincerely,

Zachary Parker
Ward 5 Councilmember
Chair, Committee on Youth Affairs

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Councilmember Christina Henderson Councilmember Zachary Parker 3
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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Matthew Frumin 9
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Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Anita Bonds 15
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Councilmember Wendell Felder 21
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A BILL 24
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 28
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To symbolically designate the 4800 block of 7th Street, N.E., in Ward 5, as Joseph Bowser Way. 33
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may 35
be cited as the “Joseph Bowser Way Designation Act of 2025”. 36
Sec. 2. Pursuant to sections 401, 403a, and 423 of the Street and Alley Closing and 37
Acquisition Procedures Act of 1982, effective March 10, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-201; D.C. Official 38
Code §§ 9-204.01, 9-204.03a, and 9-204.23), the Council symbolically designates the 4800 39

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block of 7th Street, N.E., in Ward 5, as “Joseph Bowser Way”. 40
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 41
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 42
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 43
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 44
Sec. 4. Effective date. 45
This act shall take effect after approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 46
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 47
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 48
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 49
Columbia Register. 50