Read the full stored bill text
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
1
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
26-51
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 3, 2025
To recognize, honor, and celebrate the contributions of passionate leader and public advocate
David Catania on his service on the DC Council from December 1997 to January 2015,
and recognize him as being the first openly gay member to serve.
WHEREAS, David Catania began his career in DC government as Chair of the Sheridan-
Kalorama Advisory Neighborhood Commission from 1996-1997;
WHEREAS, David Catania made history when he was elected as the first openly gay DC
Councilmember in a December 1997 special election;
WHEREAS, David Catania was elected to a full term as an At-Large Councilmember in
1998, and re-elected in 2002 and 2006;
WHEREAS, beginning in 2005, David Catania served as Chairman of the Health
Committee for 8 years, where he helped to lead the charge against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the
District;
WHEREAS, David Catania pushed for the extension of health insurance to every District
resident, increased funding for mental health services, and launched a school nurse program that
saw a full-time nurse placed on staff in 96 percent of the District’s public schools;
WHEREAS, David Catania established the HomeStart Initiative in 2000, creating an
advisory committee to identify ways to strengthen affordable housing, and created the Office of
Vocational Education and Skills Training to enhance job opportunities for District residents;
WHEREAS, David Catania became a staunch public supporter of same-sex marriage;
WHEREAS, in December 2009, 12 years after his swearing in, David Catania saw DC
Council provide final approval to his bill, the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality
Amendment Act of 2009,” to legalize same-sex marriage;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
2
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2010, due to David Catania’s advocacy, the District became the
sixth state or jurisdiction to permit same-sex marriage;
WHEREAS, David Catania left his DC Council seat to pursue an ultimately unsuccessful
bid for Mayor of the District in 2014;
WHEREAS, David Catania went on to pursue work in various areas of public affairs,
including lobbying and campaign management, and co-founded Georgetown Public Affairs,
LLC, in 2018.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “David Catania Recognition Resolution of 2025”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates David Catania
for his steadfast leadership and dedication to the District of Columbia and its LGBTQIA+
community.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.