ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-10
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
February 7, 2023
To recognize and honor Washington, D.C. native Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson AKA
Chita Rivera for her legendary career and accomplishments as an award-winning actress as she
recently celebrated her 90th birthday on January 23, 2023.
WHEREAS, Chita Rivera was born in 1933 and lived in the Ledroit Park/Bloomingdale
neighborhood on Flagler Place, NW;
WHEREAS, Ms. Rivera enrolled in the legendary Jones-Haywood School of Ballet (now known
as the Jones Haywood School of Dance), located on 1400 Delafield Place NW in the 16th Street Heights
neighborhood of Ward 4;
WHEREAS, after impressing several instructors in an audition, Ms. Rivera was accepted into and
given a scholarship to attend the School of American Ballet in New York City, widely considered the
most renowned ballet school in the United States;
WHEREAS, Ms. Rivera began her Broadway career in 1950, starring in Guys and Dolls;
WHEREAS, in 1957, Ms. Rivera launched into super-stardom via her performance as Anita in
the classic Broadway musical West Side Story;
WHEREAS, Ms. Rivera went on to appear in many other critically-acclaimed productions,
including Bye Bye Birdie (1960), Chicago (1975), Brind Back Birdie (1981), The Rink (1984), Kiss of the
Spider Woman (1993), Nine (2003), and The Visit (2015);
WHEREAS, Ms. Rivera is one of the most decorated Broadway performers of all time and the
winner of many awards, including an all-time record of ten (10) Tony Award nominations;
WHEREAS, Ms. Rivera has earned three (3) Tony Awards, including one for lifetime
achievement;
WHEREAS, in 2002, Ms. Rivera became the first Latina and Latina-American to receive a
Kennedy Center Honor;
WHEREAS, in 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack
Obama;
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 ENROLLED ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, Ms. Rivera has inspired thousands of aspiring entertainers around the world with her
originating roles in Broadway musicals and in television performances; and,
WHEREAS, on January 23, 2023, Ms. Rivera celebrated her 90th birthday.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution
may be cited as the “Chita Rivera Recognition Resolution of 2023”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors, recognizes, and commends Washington,
D.C. native Chita Rivera on her remarkable career and legendary achievements during her 60-plus year
career in show business, where she will be forever remembered as a groundbreaking legend on Broadway
and in the world of show business.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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