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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 2
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Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Charles Allen 6
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 8
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 12
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To recognize and honor the contributions that Judge Mary Grace Rook has made to the 17
District of Columbia throughout her life and career. 18
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WHEREAS, Judge Mary Rook was born in was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey 20
and graduated from Catholic University of America with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology 21
and went on to receive a master’s in social work from the University of Connecticut; 22
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WHEREAS, Judge Mary Rook received her law degree from Catholic University’s 24
Columbus School of Law; 25
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WHEREAS, Judge Mary Rook worked as Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect, and also 27
worked with the Dalton and Dalton Law Firm on special education cases following graduation 28
from law school; 29
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WHEREAS, Judge Mary Rook In 1999, served as special education attorney in the civil 31
division for the Public Defender Service, where she assisted the juvenile trial attorneys whose 32
clients had outstanding special education needs; 33
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WHEREAS, Judge Mary Rook served as Coordinator of the Juvenile Services Program for 35
the Public Defender Service where she was responsible for training and supervising staff attorneys 36
and law clerks that worked with Public Defender Service at the Oak Hill Youth Center and the 37
Youth Services Center; and 38
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WHEREAS, Judge Mary Rook was appointed by Chief Judge Rufus G. King, III and 40
installed as Magistrate Judge on August 18, 2006. 41
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this 43
resolution may be cited as the “Judge Mary Grace Rook Recognition Resolution of 2023”. 44
45 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Judge Mary Grace 46
Rook for her accomplishments and contributions to the District of Columbia. 47
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately. 49