Honoring Our Veterans in the Nation’s Capital

November 11, 2015 | Volume 1, Issue 40

Dear Washingtonians,

On this Veterans Day, I want to recognize the countless men and women who have served our country.  Thanks to the dedication and bravery of these fine Americans, we live in a land full of opportunity and possibility.  I am especially honored to work alongside so many veterans who have given so much for our nation and continue to serve District residents every day.  On this Veterans Day, I would like to applaud the hard-working veterans who serve in my Cabinet, leading important District agencies:

Arthur Espinoza, Executive Director of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities

Chris Geldart, Director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency and Interim Director of the Office of Unified Communications

Ventris Gibson, Director of the Department of Human Resources

Tammi Lambert, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs

Daniel Lucas, Inspector General

George Schutter, Chief Procurement Officer

Christopher Shorter, Director of the Department of Public Works

Mark Tuohey, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel

Christopher Weaver, Director of the Department of General Services

Thank you to all of our nation's veterans who have served to keep us free and strong.

I recently appointed Tammi Lambert as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs to assist DC veterans and their families. Here in the District, we take care of veterans, including those who have fallen on hard times. 

Unfortunately, too many veterans experience homelessness on any given night - living on the District’s streets, in transitional housing or in shelters.  My team has joined President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s challenge to end veterans homelessness, so that every veteran can get back to a place they call home. I hope you’ll show your support by signing this pledge.

As we celebrate our veterans, and the 50th commemorative anniversary of the Vietnam War, our thoughts and prayers are also with our active duty military - including the more than 10,000 District residents who continue to serve at home and abroad.

Sincerely,

Muriel Bowser
Mayor

#DCinChina: Driving International Business to DC

I am writing to you this week from China.  I’m here with a District delegation focused on increasing Chinese investment in our city and bolstering emerging partnerships between industries in DC, Beijing and Shanghai.  We’ve already had a full few days - meeting with the Mayor of Beijing, heads of major businesses, and United States Ambassador to China Max Baucus.  The goal of our trip is to attract more direct foreign investment, generate jobs for DC residents, further diversify our local economy, and bolster tourism in the nation’s capital.  As always, everything we do is about creating more pathways to the middle class for District residents.

Follow #DCinChina as we continue attracting business to DC.

Scissors and Shovels Day

Last Friday, I crisscrossed the city for the District’s first-ever ‘Scissors & Shovels Day.’  I joined community leaders and residents for ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, concrete pourings and wall breakings!  We are seeing tremendous growth in the District - businesses are opening, jobs are being created, housing and affordable housing developments are popping up, and more residents are finding their pathways to the middle class. Scissors & Shovels Day highlighted just a few of the ways we are expanding economic opportunity across our city.  Watch this great piece by ABC 7 - WJLA. View pictures in Team Muriel’s photo album.  And read about each event.

DC Students Create Parent Guide App

DC Public Schools (DCPS) held an App Design Challenge, with participation by 24 student teams from six schools. The charge was to develop an app for DCPS families to gain quick and easy access to information on their kids’ curriculum. The competition gave the students an opportunity to hone their computer science skills and apply their tech knowledge. The McKinley Tech High School’s Code Whispers won the challenge with their DC Public Schools Parent Guide.  I encourage DCPS parents with Android devices to download the app, keep up with your children’s progress in school, and gain access to educational activities you can do at home. Congratulations to the Code Whispers!

Lend a Helping Hand

As we approach the holiday season - the season of giving - the District can use a helping hand to help those in need.  Here are two easy things you can do to get involved:

1. Register to take the ‘Hands on Hearts’ CPR training provided by DC Fire and EMS.  By taking this free, 20 minute hands-only training, you may save a life one day.  You can register at handsonhearts.dc.gov.
2. Sign up to help your elderly neighbors or those with disabilities clear snow from their front walkways and sidewalks this winter season.  Become a DC Resident Snow Team Volunteer by signing up at snowteam.dc.gov.

Job Announcement: Recreation Specialist, DPR

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking two Recreation Specialists. These Specialists will work closely with the supervisor in the Seniors Division in all aspects of the program.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: assisting with developing and implementing a successful recreation program, attending various neighborhood meetings, and contracting with neighborhood groups and businesses to support ongoing and special events. Visit the job announcement to learn more or to apply for these positions.

Stay in contact with me and my Administration online. Like me on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter @MayorBowser to stay up to speed. Follow my team, @TeamMuriel, for the latest news and information from the John A. Wilson Building and District government agencies. Follow me on Instagram @Mayor_Bowser for even more updates on what's happening around town.  Lastly, find our online picture albums on Flickr.