Walter Washington

Walter Edward Washington ( born April 15, 1915 in Dawson, Georgia, † 27 October 2003 in Washington, DC) was the first elected mayor of Washington, DC He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Youth and Education

Washington, a descendant of African-American slaves, was born on April 15, 1915 in Dawson, the son of a factory worker and a teacher, and grew up in Jamestown (New York). He graduated in sociology and public administration at Howard University in 1938 as a Bachelor of Arts. After his subsequent study of law, he graduated in 1948 as Bachelor of Laws.

Career

Washington worked since 1941, even before completing his studies for the Washington Alley Dwelling Authority, an authority which was entrusted with the improvement of living conditions in urban slums. In 1961 he was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to the head of the National Capital Housing Authority ( NCHA ). From 1966-67 he performed the same task in the city of New York.

Political career

As the nation's capital is under federal administration, it has been managed since 1874 by an inserted by Congress Commission. In 1967 a law came into force, which provided for the establishment of a city council and a mayor for the first time. Walter Washington was appointed by President Johnson in 1967 as Acting Mayor (English: mayor - commissioner ) appointed. 1969 and 1973 he was confirmed by President Richard Nixon in office. In 1973 a law was passed that allowed the citizens of Washington, to choose their mayor himself. Walter Washington turned the 1974 election and was able to prevail against Clifford Alexander. In 1975 he took office as the first elected mayor of Washington, DC and was one of the first African-American ever occupied the office of mayor of a major American city. He introduced himself in 1978, again the choice, but had to admit defeat against Marion Barry. At the end of Washington's tenure, the city achieved an annual surplus of about $ 40 million. After the failed re-election Washington became a partner at the law firm of Burns, Jackson, Miller & Summit and opened their office in the federal capital. At the end of the 90s he finally retired from professional life.

Private

Washington was married twice. His first wife, Benetta, with whom he had a daughter, died, 1991. In 1994 he married Mary Burke. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity African-American. He died on 13 October 2003 in the hospital of Howard University. After his death, several roads and buildings were named after him. 2003 was renamed in his honor, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington Convention Center.