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Councilmember Christina Henderson
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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau
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Councilmember Matthew Frumin
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Councilmember Zachary Parker
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Councilmember Wendell Felder
Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr.
Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
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Councilmember Charles Allen
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 2
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 7
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To recognize, honor and celebrate the legacy, and service of Vincent C. Gray, former Mayor of 12
the District of Columbia, Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, and Ward 7 13
Councilmember. 14
WHEREAS, Vincent C. Gray was born and raised in Washington D.C., dedicating his 15
life and career to the betterment of the city and its residents; 16
WHEREAS, he graduated from Dunbar High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in 17
psychology from George Washington University in 1964; 18
WHEREAS, he was one of the first African Americans to join the fraternity Tau Epsilon 19
Phi, where he served two consecutive terms as president; 20
WHEREAS, he began his public service career as the Executive Director of the DC 21
Association for Retarded Citizens; 22
WHEREAS, in 1991, Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly appointed Gray to serve as the Director 23
of the DC Department of Human Services, where he served until 1994; 24
WHEREAS, in 1994 Vincent C. Gray co-founded and served as the Executive Director 25
of Covenant House, a youth services nonprofit which serves homeless and at-risk youths; 26
WHEREAS, in 2004, Vincent C. Gray was elected to represent Ward 7 on the Council of 27
the District of Columbia, bringing with him a voice of steadfast advocacy; 28
WHEREAS, in 2007, he was unanimously elected Chairman of the Council, where he 29
presided over a period of significant growth and reform, and was known for his fairness, steady 30
leadership, and insistence on transparency and accountability in government; 31
WHEREAS, in 2011, Vicent C. Gray was sworn in as the sixth elected Mayor of the 32
District of Columbia, where he prioritized job creation, economic development, education 33
reform, and affordable housing, overseeing the city during a period of record population growth 34
and historic fiscal stability; 35
WHEREAS, during his term as Mayor, Vincent C. Gray championed the modernization 36
of schools, expansion of early childhood education, and the District’s first major investments in 37
affordable housing trust funds, leaving a lasting mark on the city’s educational and housing 38
landscape; 39
WHEREAS, after serving as Mayor, Vincent C. Gray returned to public office in 2017 as 40
the Ward 7 Councilmember, once again standing with his community, advocating for equitable 41
development, access to healthcare, and the long-awaited revitalization of neighborhoods east of 42
the Anacostia River; 43
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Vincent C. Gray remained a tireless advocate for 44
equity, opportunity, and dignity for all residents, earning the admiration of colleagues, 45
constituents, and community leaders alike; 46
WHEREAS, his decades of leadership across roles as the Ward 7 Councilmember, 47
Council Chairman, and Mayor stand as a testament to his unshakable commitment to the people 48
and future of the District of Columbia: 49
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 50
resolution may be cited as the “Vincent C. Gray Recognition Resolution of 2025.” 51
RESOLVED FURTHER, that this resolution shall be transmitted to the family of Vincent 52
C. Gray as an expression of the Council’s profound respect and appreciation. 53
Sec.2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes, honors, and celebrates the 54
extraordinary life, leadership, and legacy of Vincent C. Gray, and extends its deepest gratitude 55
for his immeasurable contributions to the District of Columbia. 56
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 57