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Statement of Introduction
Blue & White Marching Machine Way Designation Act of 2023
Councilmember Vincent C. Gray and Councilmember Charles Allen
Friday, November 3, 2023
Today, Councilmember Allen and I introduce the Blue & White Marching Machine Way
Designation Act of 2023, along with Councilmembers Robert C. White, Jr. , Christina Henderson,
Anita D. Bonds, Matthew Frumin, Kenyan R. McDuffie, Janeese Lewis George and Zachary
Parker, to symbolically designate A Street, N.E., between 13th Street, N.E and 16th Street, N.E.,
as Blue & White Marching Machine Way.
This year, Eastern Senior High School (“EHS”), located at 1700 East Capitol Street, N.E., is
celebrating its 100th anniversary. EHS is also well known for its marching band and dance team,
known collectively as “The Blue and White Marching Machine” (“BWMM”), and colloquially
as the “Pride of Capitol Hill”.
Not only does BWMM bring delight to the local residents and families who live between the
1300 through 1600 blocks of A Street, N.E., of Ward 7 and Ward 6 with its marching, dance,
drums, and music; it also teaches students how to play instruments and dance while also learning
about responsibility, valuing people, respecting their peers, working as a team player, and setting
and striving towards a common goal. BWMM has consistently set up the students of EHS for
future success and beyond. Moreover, both affected ANCs (6A and 7D) have passed resolutions
in support of the symbolic renaming.
It is for this reason that we seek to symbolically designate A Street, N.E., and 16th Street, N.E,
as “Blue & White Marching Machine Way” in honor of the constant contributions to the
community and District spirit, BWMM and EHS has consistently delivered over the decades.
We look forward to working with our colleagues to successfully pass this legislation.
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___________________________ ______________________________ 2
Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Vincent C. Gray 3
___________________________ ______________________________ 4
Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. Councilmember Christina Henderson 5
___________________________ ___________________________ 6
Councilmember Anita D. Bonds Councilmember Matthew Frumin 7
___________________________ ___________________________ 8
Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 9
___________________________ 10
Councilmember Zachary Parker 11
A BILL 12
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 14
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To symbolically designate A Street, N.E., between 13th Street, N.E., and 16th Street, N.E., as Blue 16
& White Marching Machine Way. 17
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 19
act may be cited as the “Blue & White Marching Machine Way Designation Act of 2023”. 20
Sec. 2. Pursuant to sections 401, 403a, and 421 of the Street and Alley Closing and 21
Acquisition Procedures Act of 1982, effective March 10, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-201; D.C. Official 22
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Code §§ 9-204.01, 9-204.03a, and 9-204.21), the Council symbolically designates A Street, N.E., 23
between 13th Street, N.E., and 16th Street, N.E., as “Blue & White Marching Machine Way”. 24
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 25
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact 26
statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 27
October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 28
Sec. 4. Effective date. 29
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 30
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 31
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 32
1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 33
Columbia Register. 34