COUNCIL IN ACTION: HISTORIC PRE-K FOR ALL, JELLEFF BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AT RISK, AND HONORING BURTON JOHNSON FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN DC FIRE CHIEF
BROWN: PRE-K INITIATIVE OPENS NEW DOOR FOR KIDS AND PARENTS--Promise by Brown to support Pre-K for All fulfilled--
On Tuesday, at the meeting of the Committee of the Whole, Chairman Vincent C. Gray introduced legislation that would establish 2,000 new Pre-Kindergarten classroom slots within six years for un-served 3 and 4-year olds who live in the District. The measure will likely have a major impact on the education system and DC public school students for years to come. Councilmember Brown is the father of two children in a DC public school and husband of a former public school teacher. He co-introduced the Pre-K legislation and commented on its introduction. “My son is in a Pre-Kindergarten program in DC public schools,” said Brown. “I understand the need for these critical programs and know that there are parents who are striving to provide their children with the best education available. This opens a new door to parents and children who desire to take advantage of an early childhood education.” “As we move to reform our school system, it’s clear that we need to take decisive action,” said Brown. “Chairman Gray has introduced a critical initiative that will undoubtedly have a major impact on the life of all children who live in the District of Columbia. This is result of the hard work of education advocates, DC residents, the Chairman and his staff. I’m proud to stand behind this cause as we continue to find new ways to improve our public education system.” The legislation amends the “State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000” by authorizing the Office of State Superintendent of Education to create rules for the Pre-K for All DC program, and to license Pre-K facilities. It is part of an ongoing effort to reform the District’s public school system.
_____________________________________________________ BROWN CONTINUES TO PUSH FORWARD A PROACTIVE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Below is a list of new legislation co-introduced and co-sponsored this past week at the meeting of the Committee of the Whole by Councilmember Brown: CO-INTRODUCED LEGISLATION
1. (PR17-585) Sense of the Council on Support for America’s First National Civilian University Being Located in our Nation’s Capital Resolution of 2007
2. (B17-537) Pre-K for All DC Amendment Act of 2007
3. (B17-538) Office of First Source Compliance Act of 2007
4. (B17-539) Pedestrian Safety Reinforcement Act CO-SPONSORED LEGISLATION 1. (B17-527) Public Land Surplus Standards Amendment Act of 2007
2. (B17-536) School Closing Fairness and Accountability Act of 2007
3. (B17-528) Omnibus Alcoholic Beverage Amendment Act of 2007
4. (B17-532) The Ward 8 Anti-Sale of Single Containers of Alcoholic Beverages Amendment Act of 2007
5. (B17-531) Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Designation Act of 2007
6. (B17-526) Presidential Primary Ballot Access Amendment Act of 2007
7. (B17-534) Single-Room Occupancy Establishment Act of 2007
8. (B17-535) The MPD Impoundment Lot Improvement Amendment Act of 2007
9. (B17-530) Rental Housing Conversion and Sale Act of 2007 To research the legislation further please visit the following website and type in the bill numbers listed above: http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/lims/BillRecord.asp?billid=checked
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BROWN: KEEP JELLEFF BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OPEN
(Left: Brightwood Community Association Holiday Party.) On Thursday, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown expressed his strong support for the Jelleff Boys and Girls Club located at 3265 S Street NW, Washington, DC. Brown is considering a measure that would ensure the property continues to be used as a place for young people in the community regardless of property ownership. Brown also opposed the closure of the Capitol Hill Boys and Girls Club, another pillar of the community. “I want express my opposition to the potential closing of the Jelleff Boys and Girls Club,” said Brown. “Jelleff is a place where young people can create lifelong friendships and develop a strong sense of community. It’s critical that we keep Jelleff open given its historical importance to families in the neighborhood. I will stand behind the residents to help ensure it continues to be a safe, vibrant part of the community for our kids.”
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BROWN HONORS WASHINGTON, DC’S FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN DC FIRE CHIEF
(Left: Brown presents the resolution on the floor of the Council Chambers to Burton Johnson's family.) On Tuesday, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown honored Washington, DC’s first African-American DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Fire Chief with a Ceremonial Resolution presented on the floor of the Council Chambers. The text of the resolution is below: A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA To commemorate the passing of Burton Johnson, D.C.’s first African-American D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Fire Chief. WHEREAS, Burton Johnson was appointed to the Dist of Columbia Fire & EMS Dept - Engine Com # 4 - 931 "R" Street, N.W. - Jan 16, 1943 and retired as the Fire Chief March 1, 1978; WHEREAS, Burton Johnson was born on September 5, 1917, to the parents of John and Genevieve Johnson, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; WHEREAS, Burton Johnson completed his formative education in the D.C. Public Schools; WHEREAS, Burton Johnson has two daughters, Brenda Ford and Sylvia Brown; WHEREAS, Burton Johnson was a member of Epithany Episcopal Church for more than 50 years; WHEREAS, Burton Johnson was a member of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Lodge of D.C., PHA - F& AM - Ionic Lodge #17 - Johnathan Davis Consistory #1 (Past Commander in Chief) - United Supreme Council of 33 Degree Masons; WHEREAS, Burton Johnson served the citizens, business community and our nation’s Capitol with distinguished service for 35 years. RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Fire Chief Burton Johnson Recognition Resolution of 2007”. Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors Fire Chief Burton Johnson for all of his efforts and dedicated service he gave to Washington, D.C. Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
_____________________________________________________ BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN 2007 ECONOMIC CENSUS
Responses due: February 12, 2008 During December 2007, the US Census will send questionnaires to 14,000 business owners. The data collected will be used for the 2007 US Economic Census, which will be published in 2009/2010. Business owners' responses are required by February 12, 2008. Please encourage your local business owners to participate in this important survey process. For more information, visit:
http://www.census.gov/econ/census07
_____________________________________________________ UPCOMING BUSINESS CLASSES 2007 Procurement Awareness Roundtable and Workshop Series for District Vendors
Tuesday, December 18th, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 1100 South
Sponsors: DSLBD and DC Office of Contracting and Procurement
Evelyn Ross, 202-727-0252
www.restoredc.dc.gov (Calendar tab) CBE (LSDBE) Application Process Office Hours
Thursday, December 20th, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
901 G Street, NW, eBIC at MLK Library
Sponsor: Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Katina Bolden, 202-727-2241
www.restoredc.dc.gov (Calendar tab)
_____________________________________________________ OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DMPED) ANNOUNCES FUNDING AVAILABLE FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT FUND Neighborhood Grants Program DMPED invites the submission of applications for matching grants offered through the Neighborhood Grants Program (NGP) authorized under Resolution 17-433 “Neighborhood Investment Act Spending Plan for Fiscal Year 2008 Emergency Approval Resolution of 2007.” The purpose of these funds is to provide eligible organizations with matching funds to carry out neighborhood based projects in the 12 target areas of the Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF). The goal of the NGP is to build stronger, healthier, and safer communities by nurturing community relationships through civic action and participation. The Request for Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from Monday, November 26, 2007 until 4 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2008 or until grant funds are depleted, whichever comes first. DMPED recommends that you download a copy of the RFA from the DMPED website www.dcbiz.dc.gov or from the Office of Partnerships and Grants Development website www.opgd.dc.gov. The RFA will also be available for pick up at 2025 M Street, NW, 6th Floor.
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