Mr. Henry’s 60th Anniversary Recognition Resolution of 2026

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Councilmember Charles Allen 2
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 6
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 10
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To recognize and celebrate Mr. Henry’s, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary, for its 15
significance to the Capitol Hill community as a locally owned and operated, legendary 16
restaurant and entertainment venue. 17
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WHEREAS, Mr. Henry’s was founded in 1966 at 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue, 19
Southeast, by Henry Yaffe, who opened the establishment as a Victorian-style pub; 20
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WHEREAS, in 1968, Yaffe became interested in hosting musical artists and engaged a 22
local DC Public Schools teacher, Roberta Flack, to perform; 23
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WHEREAS, Yaffe subsequently converted the second floor of Mr. Henry’s into a 25
performance space to accommodate Flack’s increasingly popular performances, and a photo of 26
Flack taken at Mr. Henry’s was used as the cover of her debut album, First Take; 27
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WHEREAS, Flack went on to great fame and a Grammy-winning career, which all 29
started at Mr. Henry’s; 30
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WHEREAS, in 1971, Larry Quillian took over ownership of Mr. Henry’s, while Yaffe 32
opened several other Mr. Henry’s locations in the DC area; 33
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WHEREAS, the owners painstakingly restored Mr. Henry’s in the mid-2010s on the 35
occasion of the business’s 50th anniversary, including bringing live jazz music back upstairs; 36
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WHEREAS, Mr. Henry’s is now owned by Larry Quillian’s daughter, Mary Quillian 38
Helms; 39
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WHEREAS, Mr. Henry’s has continued to be a favorite establishment of jazz lovers, 41
hosting multiple performances each week, including the weekly Capitol Hill Jazz Jam; 42
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WHEREAS, from its inception and through its evolution as both a locals bar and soul and 44
jazz club, Mr. Henry’s has attracted diverse patrons and employees; 45
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WHEREAS, Mr. Henry’s has long been a gay-friendly venue, providing a safe space for 46
the District’s LGBTQ+ community; 47
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WHEREAS, Mr. Henry’s persisted through the COVID-19 pandemic by offering 49
innovative takeout meals, partnerships with other local businesses, and support from its loyal 50
patrons; and 51
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WHEREAS, Mary Quillian Helms and Mr. Henry’s are anchors of, and champions for, 53
the Capitol Hill small business community, including Eastern Market Main Street. 54
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 56
resolution may be cited as the “Mr. Henry’s 60th Anniversary Recognition Resolution of 2026”. 57
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates Mr. Henry’s, 59
on the occasion of its 60th anniversary, for its significance to the Capitol Hill community as a 60
locally owned and operated, legendary restaurant and entertainment venue. 61
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 63