ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-247
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 11, 2024
To recognize, honor, and celebrate the late William Hall "Spence" Spencer IV for his devotion to
his community in Palisades to which he gave much love and was loved in return, as well
as his advocacy of human rights, and dedication to bettering the lives of others.
WHEREAS, William Hall "Spence" Spencer IV was born in Durham, North Carolina to
Dr. William “Bill” Spencer and Charlotte Temple, spending his childhood in North Carolina,
Texas, and California;
WHEREAS, Mr. Spencer graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1984 where he met his
wife Kathryn McDonnel;
WHEREAS, Mr. Spencer lived the mantra “think globally, act locally;”
WHEREAS, in his hyperactive and joyous work on behalf of his beloved Palisades
community, Mr. Spencer served as the President of the Palisades Community Association for
more than 5 years, led in the creation of the Palisades Main Street organization, farmers market,
and supported many community events for years, including Chairing the Palisades 4th of July
Parade for 20 years and helping build the community celebration into the iconic event it is today;
WHEREAS, Mr. Spencer served as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3D from 2015 to 2016;
WHEREAS, through his community work Mr. Spencer was a ubiquitous presence,
spreading joy and mentoring one community leader after another with the goal of building
community and lifting quality of life for all;
WHEREAS, Mr. Spencer engaged in this community work while also using his energy to
make a better world globally;
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WHEREAS, Mr. Spencer joined the United States Foreign Service in 1987, where he and
his wife were stationed in Argentina and the Bahamas;
WHEREAS, in 1996 Mr. Spencer helped to configure Bosnia’s first post-war elections,
and oversaw implementation of human rights components of the General Framework Agreement
for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and coordinated policy and resource support for human
rights in the former Yugoslavia and the Yugoslav War Crimes Tribunal;
WHEREAS, from 2005 to 2024, Mr. Spencer advised the Iraqi government on diverse
constitutional and legislative issues;
WHEREAS, Mr. Spencer’s dedication to pluralism and inclusivity in Iraq prompted him
to establish and lead the Institute for International Law and Human Rights in 2007 through
which he oversaw a legal team that advised both the Iraqi Federal and Kurdistan Regional
parliaments and worked on accountability and justice issues with Iraq’s judiciary;
WHEREAS, Mr. Spencer served as board member of the TLL Temple Foundation
advocating for innovation solutions to support rural East Texas through the legacy of his late
grandfather, Arthur Temple Jr.;
WHEREAS, Mr. Spencer passed away on Thursday February 1, 2024;
WHEREAS, Mr. Spencer is survived by his wife, Kathryn, his children, Sam and Sarah,
his parents, 3 siblings, one stepbrother, and many extended relatives and close friends;
WHEREAS, the Palisades community lost an extraordinary community leader and the
world lost a powerful and relentless advocate for human rights when Mr. Spencer passed away in
2024.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “William Hall "Spence" Spencer IV Posthumous Recognition
Resolution of 2024”.
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes, honors, and celebrates
William Hall "Spence" Spencer IV for his passion and dedication to bettering the lives of others
both abroad and in the District.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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