News from Mayor Muriel Bowser: Veterans Day

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@TeamMuriel
 
Muriel Bowser Ward 4
 
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John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004

Phone: (202) 727-2643
Email: muriel.bowser@dc.gov

 
Chief of Staff:
John Falcicchio

City Administrator:
Rashad Young

Director of the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel:
Mark Tuohey

Senior Advisor:
Beverly Perry
 
Director of Mayor's Office of Community Affairs:
Charon Hines

Director of Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services:
Tommie Jones
 
Scheduling Requests:
mayor.dc.gov/page/invite-mayor

November 10, 2016 | Vol. 2, Issue 43

Letter from the Mayor

Dear Washingtonians,

Throughout our country's history, courageous men and women have answered the call to protect and defend the freedom of all Americans and the core principles for which our country stands. Tomorrow, we honor the many selfless and patriotic veterans who have served our country in war and in peace. 

Washington, DC is home to more than 25,000 veterans, and District residents continue to step forward and volunteer to serve our great nation. 

I encourage every veteran in the District to reach out to the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs – it is dedicated to serving the District’s veteran community, their families, survivors, and veteran caregivers. The office exists to ensure that veterans, just like every resident in the District, are able to find pathways to the middle class and take part in the success we enjoy as a District.

Tomorrow, as we celebrate Veterans Day on the the 98th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, be sure to thank a veteran. 

Sincerely,

Muriel Bowser

In This Week's Newsletter:

Stat of the Week

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Download the "Stat of the Week" and share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Statehood Update

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On Tuesday, nearly 80 percent of District voters voted in favor of DC statehood. After the results came in, Mayor Bowser released the following statement:

"With massive turnout, District residents overwhelmingly voted to continue on our bold, new path to DC Statehood. Today, nearly 80% of District voters cast a ballot for full democracy and citizenship. We pause tonight to celebrate this remarkable milestone in the District's decades-long fight for fundamental fairness, and - with renewed energy and resolve - we will continue the march to convince the next President, Congress and the country that statehood for the District's 672,000 residents is a moral imperative.

I am grateful to our residents, to those who participated in the process by voting, and to the hundreds who volunteered their time to draft a state constitution that reflects our shared values. There will be many twists and turns ahead - just like there have been good days and not so good days in DC's history - but as we take this monumental step forward together, we can be sure that DC's best days are ahead of us."

Going forward, the Statehood Commission will submit information to the President and Congress, requesting admission to the United States. If Congress approves the request, then Washington, DC will become the 51st state in the nation.  

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#ThankfulDC

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November is the start of the holiday and giving season - it’s a time to give back and give thanks to communities. From November 15 - December 15, the Bowser Administration will be sharing photos and videos on social media of the many things we are thankful for in DC.

Join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and show your followers what makes the District such a great place to live, work and play by using the hashtag #ThankfulDC

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Strike Force Report

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With housing covenants protecting over 13,000 of the District's affordable housing units, preserving affordable housing in Washington, DC is critically important. 

To protect and preserve these units and others, Mayor Bowser created the DC Housing Preservation Strike Force in 2015. Yesterday, Mayor Bowser released the Strike Force Report, which includes a six-point plan to preserve affordable housing in Washington, DC. The plan will: 1) establish a preservation unit; 2) create a public-private preservation fund; 3) expand resources to preserve small properties; 4) adopt regulations for the District Opportunity to Purchase Act; 5) advance preservation through the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act; and 6) enhance programs to allow low income seniors to age in place. 

Read the Strike Force Report at dhcd.dc.gov.

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Diwali, the Festival of Lights

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Yesterday, Mayor Bowser joined the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs Director David Do at the second annual Diwali Reception. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over one billion Hindus, Jain and Sikhs worldwide. This year’s celebration included cultural performances, ethnic food, networking and a lamp lighting ceremony - a central tradition in Diwali celebrations - and was overseen by Priest Shri Narayanachar of Sri Siva Vishnu Temple. 

At the event, Mayor Bowser presented a proclamation that recognized November 9, 2016 in Washington, DC as “Diwali Day."

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DC 311 Updates

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The Bowser Administration is working to make DC 311 more convenient and accessible for District residents. 

The 311 call center is undergoing significant upgrades to improve efficiency and accessibility. The Office of Unified Communications recently hired 35 additional call takers through the Department of Employment Services’ L.E.A.P. (Learn, Earn, Advance, Prosper) job training and employment program. L.E.A.P., a network of interconnected partners utilizing the “earn-and-learn” approach, links unemployed residents with employment, education, and training opportunities.

There are also new ways to reach DC 311. Residents can text ‘MENU’ to  DC311 (3-2-3-1-1) or use the online chat feature during business hours. Customers can also use the new and improved web portal at 311.dc.gov to submit requests to DC311. And, of course, residents can still call 311 or 202-737-4404 to request services. 

Read more about the recent 311 enhancements HERE.  

A District Minute

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Watch the most recent District Minute to learn more about what has been going on in DC. This week features stories about the signing of the Fraternal Order of Police DC Corrections Labor Union Working Conditions Bargaining Agreement; the tenth anniversary of the consolidation of 911 and 311 operations; and the DC Chamber Awards Gala. 

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Pathways to the Middle Class: Department of Behavioral Health, Food Service Worker

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The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) provides prevention, intervention and treatment services and support for children, youth and adults with mental and/or substance use disorders including emergency psychiatric care and community-based outpatient and residential services.

DBH has an opening for a food service worker. This position performs routine food service tasks at Saint Elizabeths Hospital and assists with menu review and food preparation. All details regarding this vacancy, including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement

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