Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                             A CEREMONAL RESOLUTION

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                  IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                        July 11, 2023

To recognize and honor Retired Lieutenant Tawanna Robinson for her outstanding service to the

       District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department and residents of the District of Columbia.

       WHEREAS, Tawanna Robinson was born and raised in Washington, D.C.;

      WHEREAS, Tawanna Robinson studied nursing at the University of the District of

Columbia while working at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital;

       WHEREAS, Tawanna Robinson was appointed as a recruit to the D.C. Fire and EMS

Department, and after graduation from the Fire Academy was assigned to Truck Company #15,

located at 2101 14th Street SE;

        WHEREAS, in 1984 Tawanna Robinson responded to her first fire and was instrumental

in saving a family of 6 children, and was recommended by D.C. Fire and EMS Department for a

silver medal for her selfless heroic act as a probationary fire fighter;

        WHEREAS, Tawanna Robinson’s silver medal nomination was met with opposition for

her being an African American woman and probationary fire fighter;

       WHEREAS, Tawanna Robinson became the first woman to receive a Fire Service Medal

of Valor for her heroic 1984 rescue, and later the Bronze Bar was added to the original medal,

which is the highest recognition awarded by the fire department to its members;

       WHEREAS, Tawanna Robinson became Truck Company #15’s first African American

Woman technician, the first African American Woman battalion aid, and the first woman officer

at Tower 10, the apparatus that serves as a safety precaution for President Barack Obama and

Vice President Biden;

       WHEREAS, after 28 years of service in November 2010 Tawanna Robinson retired from

the D.C. Fire and EMS Department;

       WHEREAS, in her retirement Tawanna Robinson volunteers for the Citizens Policy

Academy Alumni Association, Bradbury/Boulevard Heights Civic Association, Bradbury

Heights Elementary School, John E. Howard Sr. Center, and math and reading tutor;

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      WHEREAS, Tawanna Robinson actively serves as a member of First Baptist Church of

Marshall Heights where she visits nursing homes, sets up programs for seniors, assists with

Thanksgiving food baskets, works with culinary arts, volunteers with the youth ministry and

summer vacation bible school, and first aid nurse;

       WHEREAS, Tawanna Robinson is a proud mother of 2 children, grandmother of 4

children, and one God child.

        RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the “Tawanna Robinson Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of 2023”.

       Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors Tawanna Robinson for her years

of dedication to the D.C. Fire and EMS Department and the residents of the District of

Columbia.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

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