ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-100
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
September 19, 2023
To recognize and express gratitude to Martin Austermuhle for his contributions to the District of
Columbia through journalism.
WHEREAS, Martin Austermuhle was born in Switzerland and lived throughout Latin
America before coming to the United States;
WHEREAS, Mr. Austermuhle attended Pennsylvania State University for his
undergraduate studies and then went on to obtain a master’s degree in Latin American Studies
from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.;
WHEREAS, after obtaining his master’s degree, Mr. Austermuhle served as a political and
communications advisor at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and director of
media relations at the Embassy of Afghanistan;
WHEREAS, in 2011, Mr. Austermuhle became editor-in-chief of DCist.com, a website
that chronicled news, politics, arts, and events in the District. During this time, Mr. Austermuhle
also worked as a contributing writer for the Washington Diplomat and the Washington City Paper;
WHEREAS, Mr. Austermuhle joined the staff of WAMU 88.5 FM, the District’s National
Public Radio affiliate, in April 2013 as a web producer and reporter, and ultimately rose to the
position of editor. In this role, he covered politics, development, education, social issues, and
crime, among many other areas;
WHEREAS, in 2018, WAMU acquired DCist.com, reviving the website, and returning Mr.
Austermuhle to a seminal place in his journalistic career;
WHEREAS, during his time in the District, Mr. Austermuhle lived in the Northeast
Washington neighborhood of Michigan Park with his wife Carolina, a school teacher, and their 2
daughters;
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 ENROLLED ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, in July 2023, Mr. Austermuhle announced that he would be leaving WAMU
and the District, to return to his native Switzerland; and
WHEREAS, for more than a decade, Martin Austermuhle provided significant
contributions, as well as added an important perspective and reliable voice, to local journalism in
the District of Columbia.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Martin Austermuhle Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of 2023”.
Sec. 2. The Council recognizes Martin Austermuhle for his diligence and commitment to
accurately reporting local news and providing relevant opinion and commentary on local social
and political issues, and celebrates the valuable contributions he has made to the District of
Columbia through his work.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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