BIOGRAPHY OF WALTER E. WASHINGTON Born: April 15, 1915, Dawson, Georgia. Residence: 408 T Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Present Position: Chairman, New York City Housing Authority, 1966-present. The Authority has 143,000 housing units, 500,000 residents, and 11,000 employees. Education: 1933: Graduated from Jamestown High School, Jamestown, N. Y. 1938: A. B. Howard University (Majored in Political Science and Sociology). 1939-43: American University (Graduate Course in Public Administration). 1948: LL.B., Howard University. Member of D.C. and U.S. Supreme Court Bars. Member of American Bar Association. Previous Experience: Also: 1941: Junior Housing Assistant, Alley Dwelling Authority (Now N.C.H.A., Administrative Assistant. 1945-50: Housing Manager, NCHA. 1951-61: Varied Executive Positions in NCHA. 1961-66: Executive Director, National Capital Housing Authority. The Authority has 9,000 units and nearly 50,000 residents. Nation's first, and model, "Turnkey" project; and has in recent years, steadily expanded its program of social services to its tenants. 1967: Member of Model Cities and Metropolitan Development Advisory Member of Insurance Panel of National Advisory Commission on Civil Member of New York City Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. 1964: National Civil Service League Award. 1963: Recipient of Community Service Award for Meritorious Community Service, Health and Welfare Council of National Capital Area. 1963: Recipient of Howard University Alumni Award for distinguished achievement in the field of Public Service. 1954-58: Personal: Past President of the Le Droit Park Civic Association. Past President of the Board of Directors of the Southwest Settlement Member of the Board of Directors of the National Capital Area, USO. Member of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers, Inc. Member of the Board of Directors, and Chairman of Nominating Committee, Washington Urban League. Member of Board of Directors of Washington Action for Youth. Member of Board of Directors of United Planning Organization. Member of Board of Directors of National Capital Area Council of Member of Board of Directors of Council of Churches of Greater Member of Board of Directors of Visiting Nurses Association. Vice President of the Health and Welfare Council of the National Secretary of the Board of Directors, United Givers Fund. Married to the former Bennetta Bullock. Formerly principal, Cardozo High BIOGRAPHY OF THOMAS W. FLETCHER Born: March 1, 1924, Portland, Oregon. Family: Married Margerie F. Muller in 1945. Children: Thomas F., 20, Heidi, 17, Dean, 15. Present Address: 3001 Veazey Terrace, N.W., Apt. 902, Washington, D.C. Present Position: Deputy Assistant Secretary, Housing Assistance Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development. Education: High School-Commerce High School, San Francisco. Graduated 1942. College University of California, Berkeley, B.A. degree in Business Administration 1950, Graduate work in Public Administration 1950-51. Military: U.S. Army-1943-1946. Employment: (1) San Leandro, California, Assistant to City Manager, Feb. 1951Sept. 1952. Responsible for budget, purchasing and general fiscal affairs of city of 60,000 population. (2) Davis, California, City Administrator, Sept. 1952-June 1955. Responsible for the municipal administration of a city of 6,000 population. (3) San Diego, California, Assistant to City Manager, June 1955-Oct. 1961. Responsible for a variety of administrative assignments. (4) San Diego, California, City Manager, Oct. 1961-Dec. 1966. Responsible for the municipal administration of a city of 680,000 population. (5) San Diego, California, President, Foodmaker Franchise Corp., Dec. 1966-June 1967. Responsible for the development of a franchise system for a national chain of restaurants. Professional Organizations: (1) American Society of Public Administration, President, San Diego Chapter-1959. (2) Western Governmental Research Association, President-1961. (3) League of California Cities, President, City Managers Dept.-19651966. (4) International City Managers Association. (5) Board of Governors, Local Institute of Self Government. (6) Member of Council, National Municipal League. (7) Member of Public Official Advisory Council, OEO. Other Organizations: (1) Boy Scouts of America, Vice President, San Diego Council. (2) YMCA, Member, Executive Committee, San Diego. (3) Economic Development Corporation, San Diego, Member, Executive Committee. (4) Episcopal Church, Member of Vestry (1959-1964), Senior Warden (1963-1964) St. Pauls, San Diego. Publications: (1) "A New Look at Budgeting," published in "Public Management Newsletter" and "Personnel Management Newsletter." (2) "Decision Making in Government," published in "Engineering Management." (3) "People, Pay and Performance," published by Public Personnel Association. (4) "Organizing Cities to Cope with Change," published in Annual Proceedings for 1966 by National League of Cities. (5) "Innovation and Change: A City's Management on the Move," published by the Institute for Local Self Government. THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, Hon. ALAN BIBLE, Chairman, Senate District of Columbia Committee, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I had hoped that it would be possible for me to appear before the Senate District of Columbia Committee on this Wednesday to testify in behalf of Walter Washington. I am delighted to know that Mr. Washington has been named by the President to be the Commissioner of Washington, D.C. and I hope that your Committee and the Senate will act favorably upon this appointment. I have known Mr. Washington for twenty years, both as a friend and an associate. He is a man of strong character and of great ability. Both of these characteristics have been displayed in his professional life which, as you know, has been largely devoted to the field of housing. Under his guidance the National Capital Housing Authority has had an outstanding record of achievement. Mr. Washington has not only proven to be a capable administrator, but he has also evidenced a receptivity to new ideas and to creative approaches in his field of endeavor. More recently, during the summer, while in his new position as Chairman of the New York City Housing Authority, Mr. Washington planned and executed an extremely effective program for dealing with youth in the troubled areas of New York. I am confident that these qualities which I have mentioned, and Mr. Washington's familiarity with the Nation's Capital, will make him a most effective person in the position for which he is now being considered by your Committee. With personal regards, ROBERT C. WEAVER. STATEMENT BY DR. JAMES M. Nabrit, Jr., President of Howard UNIVERSITY, BEHALF OF THE NOMINATION OF MR. WALTER E. WASHINGTON AS COMMISSIONER FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ON I wish, first of all, to thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify on behalf of Mr. Walter E. Washington who has been nominated for the position of Commissioner in the District of Columbia Government. I am happy to express my strongest endorsement of his nomination. He is an exceptionally gifted man whom I have known for many years. He received his undergraduate training from Howard University and was an outstanding student in the Howard University School of Law at a time when I was Professor of Law. I have, therefore, been able to follow his career intimately from his college days. In his professional activities, Mr. Washington has gained an experience which uniquely qualifies him for the position for which he has been nominated. His twenty-five years with the National Capital Housing Authority have given him deep insights into the manifold problems of the capital city. During his years of work in the District of Columbia, his interests carried him into every area of major public concern. I refer not simply to matters in the field of housing, but also to other crucial problem areas including those related to education, unemployment, crime, welfare, and local administration. Thus, if his nomination is confirmed, Mr. Washington would enter upon his duties well-informed and experienced with respect to the affairs of the local community. Throughout his service in the District of Columbia Government, Mr. Washington enjoyed the support and cooperation of the whole community. He is by nature a personable and charming man; but, in addition, he is a man of complete integrity and all who have been associated with him know that he is an administrator upon whom all segments of the public can rely. I know him personally and as a friend. He has a very fine family with whom my wife and I are good friends. There are many high tributes which have been paid to Mr. Washington's ability. One of the most recent was his appointment as chairman of New York City's Housing Authority, a post which he assumed only last November. This is certainly one of the most difficult and vital assignments anywhere in American municipal government and Mr. Washington had already begun to fill it with distinction. However, he has chosen to leave it in order to accept the challenge of being Commissioner in the reorganized District of Columbia Government. The local community is fortunate in being able to get Mr. Washington to return to its service. He is an able public servant who can be at once cautious and thoughtful, but at the same time boldly imaginative and innovative. Most important is the fact that people of high and low estate know and respect him. He would assume his new post at a time when grave problems of the city are intertwined with the problems of race. His experience and competence make it possible for him to achieve success in both areas. I very much hope that his nomination will be approved. STATEMENT BY JOSEPH A. BEIRNE, PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS WOrkers of AMERICA, AFL-CIO I am Joseph A. Beirne, President of the Communications Workers of America. I would like to take this opportunity to speak in behalf of Mr. Walter Washington, who has been recommended by the President of the United States for the job of Commissioner of the District of Columbia. In my position, as volunteer President of the United Community Funds and Councils of America, I have had the opportunity of working closely with Mr. Washington in his position as Vice President of that organization. I have served with him for a number of years, and therefore feel I can speak with some authority upon the qualifications of this nominee. First of all, let me say that I think that the nomination is both timely and udicious. The District of Columbia faces a staggering number of problems which to this date have remained unsolved. The residents of the District of Columbia have a right to expect good government, and good government they shall have. In Mr. Washington, we have not only a man of character and executive capabilities, but a man with proven problem-solving abilities. Through the years I have appreciated the deep sense of responsibility which this gentleman has towards community problems. He has a deep and abiding interest in the problems of the residents of the District of Columbia and, more importantly, he knows their major problems. He has proven his executive ability as well as the rare courage to speak in straight language after listening and weighing all problems. He has demonstrated to me, as well as others, the talent for putting important matters into proper focus. Mr. Washington is well versed in the art of eliciting voluntary response. He has demonstrated his ability to crystallize problems of the urban masses, in terms which the commercial community, the affluent, the slum dwellers, the reformers and the advocates of status quo understand. And much more, he is able to translate a sense of need, an urgency, into voluntary participation, free enterprise and government. And so I am pleased to speak in behalf of the nomination of Mr. Walter Washington for the position of Commissioner of the District of Columbia, because I feel that we have in him a man who can bring the government to the people. A cursory glance at his biography is adequate proof of his aim in life-public service. I am certain that your vote of confidence in this fine man will be vindicated. Thank you. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA REDEVELOPMENT LAND AGENCY, Senator ALAN BIBLE, Chairman, Senate District Committee, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: President Johnson has nominated Walter E. Washington for the office of Commissioner of the District of Columbia and I wish to commend him to you as I believe he will be an excellent Commissioner. For the last seven years I have been on the Board of Directors of the National Capital Housing Authority and during most of those seven years Mr. Washington was the Executive Director of the NCHA. He is an able administrator, diligent and earnest, a hard worker and one who makes friends easily and earns the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. I urge your Committee to act favorably upon his nomination. Respectfully, NEVILLE MILLER, Hon. ALAN BIBLE, NATIONAL CAPITAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, Chairman, District of Columbia Committee, U.S. Senate, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: I am writing in behalf of Mr. Walter E. Washington who has been nominated by the President of the United States for the position of Commissioner of the District of Columbia. I have known Mr. Washington for almost six years having served as his Deputy at the National Capital Housing Authority. I had the opportunity to observe both his general administrative talent and his ability to bring a fresh and innovative problem solving technique to the complicated issues of our urban complex. Mr. Washington has displayed a keen interest, awareness and sophistication with respect to the varied political, economic and social issues in our city and Nation which will be of great benefit to the Administration. In addition to his knowledge of the District of Columbia and his talent leadership, Mr. Washington will contribute to the American scene an integrity, a sense of responsibility, a dignity in office and a true ability which will enhance the reputation of our democratic heritage. His confirmation will be a credit to our Nation and a most valuable contribution in the effective administration of the affairs of the District of Columbia. It is an honor and a privilege to write this letter in support of Mr. Washington's early confirmation. Sincerely, Hon. ALAN BIBLE, Washington, D.C. EDWARD AROnov, THE CHESAPEAKE & POTOMAC TELEPHONE Co., DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: I have just learned that the Senate Committee hearings are to be held tomorrow concerning the appointment of Mr. Walter E. Washington as Commissioner for the District of Columbia. Mr. W. L. Lindholm, our president, will be out of town for several days and has asked me to convey his personal feelings as well as those of the other members of his staff regarding Mr. Washington's appointment. In the past a number of our people have worked with Mr. Washington in civic affairs and have found him to be an experienced and efficient administrator who is familiar with the City's problems and who is respected by the entire community. We feel his appointment is most fortunate and I urge the Senate to proceed with the confirmation of Mr. Washington as quickly as possible in the interest of launching our new form of government in Washington. Sincerely, Hon. ALAN BIBLE, J. H. ZAHN. WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT Co., Washington, D.C., September 19, 1967. Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: As a member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Board of Trade, I am writing you to urge favorable Senate action on the nomination of Mr. Walter E. Washington as Commissioner for the District of Columbia. Mr. Washington's long experience with many of the problems in the District of Columbia, coupled with his personal qualifications, should enable him to perform the enormous tasks of the office creditably. Sincerely, DONALD S. BITTINGER. |