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ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
26-90
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
October 7, 2025
To recognize, honor and celebrate the legacy, and service of Vincent C. Gray, former Mayor of
the District of Columbia, Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, and Ward
7 Councilmember.
WHEREAS, Vincent C. Gray was born and raised in Washington D.C., dedicating his
life and career to the betterment of the city and its residents;
WHEREAS, he graduated from Dunbar High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in
psychology from George Washington University in 1964;
WHEREAS, he was one of the first African Americans to join the fraternity Tau Epsilon
Phi, where he served two consecutive terms as president;
WHEREAS, he began his public service career as the Executive Director of the DC
Association for Retarded Citizens;
WHEREAS, in 1991, Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly appointed Gray to serve as the Director
of the DC Department of Human Services, where he served until 1994;
WHEREAS, in 1994 Vincent C. Gray co-founded and served as the Executive Director
of Covenant House, a youth services nonprofit which serves homeless and at-risk youths;
WHEREAS, in 2004, Vincent C. Gray was elected to represent Ward 7 on the Council of
the District of Columbia, bringing with him a voice of steadfast advocacy;
WHEREAS, in 2007, he was unanimously elected Chairman of the Council, where he
presided over a period of significant growth and reform, and was known for his fairness, steady
leadership, and insistence on transparency and accountability in government;
WHEREAS, in 2011, Vicent C. Gray was sworn in as the sixth elected Mayor of the
District of Columbia, where he prioritized job creation, economic development, education
reform, and affordable housing, overseeing the city during a period of record population growth
and historic fiscal stability;
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WHEREAS, during his term as Mayor, Vincent C. Gray championed the modernization
of schools, expansion of early childhood education, and the District’s first major investments in
affordable housing trust funds, leaving a lasting mark on the city’s educational and housing
landscape;
WHEREAS, after serving as Mayor, Vincent C. Gray returned to public office in 2017 as
the Ward 7 Councilmember, once again standing with his community, advocating for equitable
development, access to healthcare, and the long-awaited revitalization of neighborhoods east of
the Anacostia River;
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Vincent C. Gray remained a tireless advocate for
equity, opportunity, and dignity for all residents, earning the admiration of colleagues,
constituents, and community leaders alike;
WHEREAS, his decades of leadership across roles as the Ward 7 Councilmember,
Council Chairman, and Mayor stand as a testament to his unshakable commitment to the people
and future of the District of Columbia.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Vincent C. Gray Recognition Resolution of 2025.”
RESOLVED FURTHER, that this resolution shall be transmitted to the family of Vincent
C. Gray as an expression of the Council’s profound respect and appreciation.
Sec.2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes, honors, and celebrates the
extraordinary life, leadership, and legacy of Vincent C. Gray, and extends its deepest gratitude
for his immeasurable contributions to the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.