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Councilmember Vincent C. Gray
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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To congratulate Joseph Woodland on being selected to represent Special Olympics USA at the 1
World Games Berlin 2023 in track and field. 2
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WHEREAS, Joseph “JoJo” Woodland is a 22-year old Ward 7 resident and adult Special 4
Olympics athlete who was selected from over 500,000 athletes across the United States to 5
represent Special Olympics USA at the World Games Berlin 2023 being held June 17-25, 2023, 6
an event that occurs every two years when the world transcends the boundaries of geography, 7
nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, culture, and religion to come together; 8
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WHEREAS, Joseph “JoJo” Woodland will compete as a track & field athlete in the 200m 10
and 400m races at the World Games Berlin 2023, joining 132 other athletes and 38 coaches in 11
representing Special Olympics USA at the World Games, competing against over 7,000 athletes 12
from 190 other countries; 13
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WHEREAS, Joseph “JoJo” Woodland for 10 years has been an athlete in Special 15
Olympics DC, the local chapter of the global program, serving 2,500 people with disabilities in 16
all eight wards of the District of Columbia that hosts 13 sport seasons, health access events, and 17
education programs in 45 DC schools, all culminating in a week-long DC Summer Games in 18
May; 19
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WHEREAS, Joseph “JoJo” Woodland began his career as a youth athlete at Ludlow-21
Taylor Elementary School, and has played soccer and basketball as well as run track & field, 22
providing him the opportunity to play his favorite sports, increase his confidence, and improve 23
his skills, abilities, and prospects for his future; 24
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WHEREAS, Joseph “JoJo” Woodland previously competed in the 2022 USA Games in 26
Orlando, where he earned a bronze medal in the 400m, and in the 2018 USA Games in Seattle, 27
where he earned a silver medal in soccer; 28
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WHEREAS, Joseph “JoJo” Woodland runs in the city and completes track workouts with 30
his coach as part of his training regimen; 31
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WHEREAS, Joseph “JoJo” Woodland is employed at the Department of Homeland 33
Security in the cleaning services department and enjoys his hobbies which include bowling, 34
playing video games, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys; and 35
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WHEREAS, Joseph “JoJo” Woodland considers himself lucky to have coaches and 37
teammates that have helped him achieve thus far, and most admires his mother, who raised him, 38
and who will be proudly cheering him on as he competes in the Special Olympics World Games 39
Berlin 2023. 40
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 42
resolution may be cited as the “Joseph Woodland Recognition Resolution of 2023”. 43
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia congratulates Joseph “JoJo” Woodland 45
on being selected to represent Special Olympics USA at the World Games Berlin 2023 in Track 46
& Field, and for representing himself, family and the Ward 7 community as an athlete and 47
ambassador. 48
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 50
the District of Columbia Register. 51