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13 A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
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15 _________________________
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17 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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19 _________________________
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22 To recognize and honor John J. DeGioia for his extraordinary 23-year tenure as President of
23 Georgetown University, his significant contributions to higher education in the District of
24 Columbia, and his transition to the role of President Emeritus.
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26 WHEREAS, John J. DeGioia has served as the 48th President of Georgetown University
27 since July 1, 2001, making him the longest-serving president in Georgetown's history and the
28 first lay person to lead a Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States;
29 WHEREAS, President DeGioia's connection to Georgetown University spans nearly five
30 decades, beginning as an undergraduate student in 1975, graduating with a bachelor's degree in
31 English in 1979, and later earning his Ph.D. in philosophy from Georgetown in 1995;
32 WHEREAS, Georgetown University stands as one of the District of Columbia's largest
33 private employers, contributing significantly to the local economy through its research
34 initiatives, operations, capital investments, and the economic activity generated by its student
35 body, faculty, staff, and visitors;
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36 WHEREAS, Georgetown University has served as an anchor institution in the District's
37 educational landscape since 1789, and President DeGioia has strengthened this legacy by
38 expanding the university's footprint through the development of the Capitol Campus, creating
39 new opportunities for civic engagement and economic development in downtown Washington,
40 D.C.;
41 WHEREAS, under President DeGioia's leadership, Georgetown University has
42 strengthened its position as a premier institution of higher learning in the District of Columbia,
43 quintupling the university endowment from $700 million in 2001 to $3.6 billion in 2024;
44 WHEREAS, President DeGioia has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to
45 expanding access to education, growing Georgetown's financial aid budget to $285 million in
46 2024, with approximately 50% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid;
47 WHEREAS, President DeGioia established the Georgetown Scholars Program in 2004,
48 which has served more than 2,600 first-generation college students and students from low-
49 income backgrounds;
50 WHEREAS, President DeGioia has overseen the establishment of new schools and
51 academic programs, including the McCourt School of Public Policy, the School of Nursing, and
52 the School of Health, enhancing Georgetown's academic offerings and impact;
53 WHEREAS, President DeGioia has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing
54 racial justice and community healing through the establishment of the Racial Justice Institute and
55 the Center for the Study of Slavery and Its Legacies, fostering crucial dialogue and research on
56 these vital issues;
57 WHEREAS, President DeGioia has been a pioneering force in expanding Georgetown's
58 global impact while maintaining strong local connections, establishing international campuses
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59 and programs while simultaneously deepening the university's engagement with District
60 communities through initiatives such as the Georgetown Law Center's clinics serving DC
61 residents;
62 WHEREAS, President DeGioia has been a steadfast advocate for the District of
63 Columbia community, establishing the Martin Luther King Jr. Initiative in 2003 and fostering
64 numerous partnerships between Georgetown University and local organizations;
65 WHEREAS, President DeGioia has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to creating
66 pathways to success for returning citizens through innovative programs such as the Georgetown
67 Pivot Program, launched in 2018 to provide professional development and workplace training,
68 and the MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Program, which offers intensive legal training and
69 certification for careers in the legal field;
70 WHEREAS, under President DeGioia's leadership, Georgetown University has expanded
71 its presence in the District through the development of its Capitol Campus, strengthening the
72 university's connection to the city and its ability to serve the community;
73 WHEREAS, President DeGioia has demonstrated exceptional leadership during times of
74 crisis, successfully guiding the university through challenges including the aftermath of
75 September 11th, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic;
76 WHEREAS, President DeGioia has shown courage and leadership in addressing
77 historical wrongs, launching the Working Group on Slavery, Memory, and Reconciliation in
78 2015 and implementing meaningful actions to acknowledge and address Georgetown's historical
79 connection to slavery,
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80 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
81 resolution may be cited as the “John J. DeGioia Presidential Legacy Recognition Resolution of
82 2024”.
83 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and celebrates John J.
84 DeGioia for his transformative leadership of Georgetown University, his dedication to expanding
85 educational opportunities, his commitment to social justice, and his significant contributions to
86 higher education in the District of Columbia, as he transitions to his new role as President
87 Emeritus.
88 Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in
89 the District of Columbia Register.
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