ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-94
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
July 11, 2023
To recognize and honor the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Scholarship Program , on the
occasion of its 50th celebration, for its continued efforts to encourage and support young
people in the Southwest DC community to pursue post -secondary education.
WHEREAS, the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (“SWNA”) Scholarship Program
began in 1974 when residents of the River Park Cooperative rallied together and raised funds to
offer scholarships to several low-income young people in the surrounding community;
WHEREAS, that year, the residents raised $1,650 for 3 deserving students from Southwest
to receive scholarship awards;
WHEREAS, in 1975, recognizing the significance and impact of promoting scholarship,
the SWNA Scholarship Program became an integral part of SWNA’s work through the SWNA
Education and Scholarship Task Force;
WHEREAS, the mission of the SWNA Education and Scholarship Task Force is to join
forces with educators, parents, and the community at large, with the common goal of empowering
Southwest youth to complete primary, middle, secondary, and college/technical education, thereby
enabling them to fully participate in the workforce and community;
WHEREAS, the dedicated efforts of the SWNA Education and Scholarship Task Force
include not only awarding scholarships to students in zip code 20024, but also supporting
neighborhood school groups, organizing students to participate in local and virtual college fairs
and workshops, and promoting internships and part-time employment opportunities for Southwest
youth;
WHEREAS, the SWNA Education and Scholarship Task Force has worked collaboratively
in partnership with the SWNA Youth Activities Task Force to help ensure that Southwest youth
are identified, guided, and oriented toward the importance of education and regularly advising
them about future scholarship opportunities;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, the SWNA Education and Scholarship Task Force gratefully acknowledges
the support of our parents and guardians, their dedicated and committed volunteers and generous
donors who have contributed to our success and longevity;
WHEREAS, the impact of the SWNA Scholarship Program has been profound, as
evidenced by the awarding of 599 scholarships to 261 deserving Southwest students , totaling more
than $580,000; and
WHEREAS, the SWNA Scholarship Program, having garnered immense community
support over the years, will hold its 50th celebration in 2023, marking half a century of
empowering Southwest youth through educational opportunities.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, T hat this
resolution may be cited as the “Southwest Neighborhood Assembly Scholarship Program
Recognition Resolution of 2023”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the Southwest
Neighborhood Assembly Scholarship Program, on the occasion of its 50th celebration, for its
continued efforts to encourage and support young people in the Southwest DC community to
pursue post-secondary education.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.