Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                               A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                             25-94

                   IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                         July 11, 2023

To recognize and honor the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Scholarship Program, on the

       occasion of its 50th celebration, for its continued efforts to encourage and support young

       people in the Southwest DC community to pursue post-secondary education.

        WHEREAS, the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (“SWNA”) Scholarship Program

began in 1974 when residents of the River Park Cooperative rallied together and raised funds to

offer scholarships to several low-income young people in the surrounding community;

        WHEREAS, that year, the residents raised $1,650 for 3 deserving students from Southwest

to receive scholarship awards;

       WHEREAS, in 1975, recognizing the significance and impact of promoting scholarship,

the SWNA Scholarship Program became an integral part of SWNA’s work through the SWNA

Education and Scholarship Task Force;

       WHEREAS, the mission of the SWNA Education and Scholarship Task Force is to join

forces with educators, parents, and the community at large, with the common goal of empowering

Southwest youth to complete primary, middle, secondary, and college/technical education, thereby

enabling them to fully participate in the workforce and community;

       WHEREAS, the dedicated efforts of the SWNA Education and Scholarship Task Force

include not only awarding scholarships to students in zip code 20024, but also supporting

neighborhood school groups, organizing students to participate in local and virtual college fairs

and workshops, and promoting internships and part-time employment opportunities for Southwest

youth;

        WHEREAS, the SWNA Education and Scholarship Task Force has worked collaboratively

in partnership with the SWNA Youth Activities Task Force to help ensure that Southwest youth

are identified, guided, and oriented toward the importance of education and regularly advising

them about future scholarship opportunities;

                                               1

                                                                    ENROLLED ORIGINAL

       WHEREAS, the SWNA Education and Scholarship Task Force gratefully acknowledges

the support of our parents and guardians, their dedicated and committed volunteers and generous

donors who have contributed to our success and longevity;

       WHEREAS, the impact of the SWNA Scholarship Program has been profound, as

evidenced by the awarding of 599 scholarships to 261 deserving Southwest students, totaling more

than $580,000; and

       WHEREAS, the SWNA Scholarship Program, having garnered immense community

support over the years, will hold its 50th celebration in 2023, marking half a century of

empowering Southwest youth through educational opportunities.

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

resolution may be cited as the “Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Scholarship Program

Recognition Resolution of 2023”.

       Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the Southwest

Neighborhood Assembly Scholarship Program, on the occasion of its 50th celebration, for its

continued efforts to encourage and support young people in the Southwest DC community to

pursue post-secondary education.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

                                                2