COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER BROOKE PINTO
THE JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING
1350 PENNSLYVANIA AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 106
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004
January 11, 2023
Nyasha Smith, Secretary
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Secretary Smith,
Today, along with Councilmembers Janeese Lewis George, Kenyan R. McDuffie, Brianne K.
Nadeau, Robert C. White, Jr., Anita Bonds, Matthew Frumin, and Zachary Parker, I am
introducing the “Sam ‘The Man’ Burns Way Designation Act of 2023.” Please find enclosed a
signed copy of the legislation.
This legislation would symbolically designate 18th Street N.W., between M Street N.W. and N
Street N.W., in Ward 2, as “Sam ‘The Man’ Burns Way.” This portion of 18th Street N.W. was
chosen for the nightlife establishments in this area where Sam “The Man” Burns was well-known
for his disk jockey (“DJ”) skills and contributions to the District’s nightlife, dance culture, and
house music community.
Sam Burns was a proud native of Washington, DC, and graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High
School, and was recognized as one of the best DJs and music historians in the business. He was
known worldwide as “The Man” for his commitment to perfection and excellence in his craft and
was considered “The Chuck Brown of Dance Music” for his contributions to house music in
Washington, DC.
Sam Burns was a skilled DJ with an impressive musical intuition. He was not only an accomplished
performer but also possessed humility, generosity, and willingness to help the next generation of
artists, dancers, producers and DJs.
Throughout his career of more than forty years, Sam Burns played dance music at iconic nightclubs
in Washington, DC, including The Clubhouse, Chapter II, The Roxy, The Ritz, Tracks, The Insect
Club, Tiffany's, Kilimanjaro, Pollen, Red, The East Side, Dragonfly, Chicago’s, State of the Union,
U Street Music Hall, 18th Street Lounge, and other local venues.
Sam Burns worked tirelessly to support his local community, including dispensing musical advice
and life lessons to music lovers, mentoring younger DJs, and helping to keep the DC nightlife,
dance culture, and house music community alive and thriving. Sam Burns passed away on March 7, 2020, at the age of 62, leaving behind his son, Mason. This street dedication will honor his
legacy in the community he called home.
Should you have any questions about this legislation, please contact my Legislative Counsel,
Kristin Ewing, at kewing@dccouncil.gov.
Thank you,
Brooke Pinto _______________________________ _______________________________
Councilmember Janeese Lewis George Councilmember Brooke Pinto
_______________________________ _______________________________
Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
_______________________________ _______________________________
Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Robert C. White
_______________________________ ________________________
Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Matthew Frumin
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AN ACT 2
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 7
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To symbolically designate 18th Street, N.W., between M Street, N.W., and N Street, N.W., in 11
Ward 2, as Sam “The Man” Burns Way. 12
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 13
act may be cited as the “Sam ‘The Man’ Burns Way Designation Act of 2023”. 14
Sec. 2. Pursuant to sections 401, 403a, and 423 of the Street and Alley Closing and 15
Acquisition Procedures Act of 1982, effective March 10, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-201; D.C. Official 16
Code §§ 9-204.01, 9-204.03a, and 9-204.23), the Council symbolically designates 18th Street, 17
N.W., between M Street, N.W., and N Street, N.W., as “Sam ‘The Man’ Burns Way”. 18
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 19
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 20
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 21
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 22
Sec. 4. Effective date. 23 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 24
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 25
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 26
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 27
Columbia Register. 28