Dear Neighbor,

I hope everyone had a happy, healthy, and safe Labor Day holiday weekend capping off a great summer. Next week, the DC Council begins our fall legislative session, and I want to highlight a few important upcoming dates, including a hearing I am holding next week as Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety:  

• Wednesday, September 16th: The Council returns from summer recess  

• Tuesday, September 22nd: The Council will hold our first legislative meeting for the fall session

• Wednesday, September 23rd: The Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety will hold a public hearing on multiple bills:
  • My bill called the First Responders Facilities Modernization Act, which would establish a modernization plan for all Fire & EMS and MPD facilities in DC
  • My bill called the Smoke Detector Safety Amendment Act, which would prohibit the sale of smoke detectors that are not tamper-resistant in the District
  • My bill called the Arena Safety Conformity Amendment Act, which would prohibit unauthorized entry onto a playing surface to include Capital One Arena Downtown and Audi Field in Southeast
  • The Let Our Vows Endure Amendment Act, introduced by Councilmember Henderson that I co-introduced, which would establish a code of law for the mayor to issue marriage licenses and authorize temporary marriage officiants during a federal government shutdown
  • The Illegal Occupancy Enforcement Amendment Act, which would amend the short-term rental law to clarify that a guest has no lawful right to remain after the conclusion of their stay
  • The Protecting Judicial Privacy Act, which would prohibit the public display of a judicial officer’s personal information
  • The Clemency Board Waiver Authority Amendment Act, which would authorize the clemency Board to waive the five-year waiting period for applicants seeking a pardon

Finally, tomorrow marks 25 years since the September 11th, 2001, terror attacks. We will never forget the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day and the sacrifices and bravery of our first responders who ran toward the danger. A quarter-century later, the pain of that day remains, but so does the enduring spirit of unity, resilience, and hope for a more peaceful future for us all. I will be joining the mayor and my Council colleagues for the September 11thRemembrance event at Engine 16 tomorrow morning.

Yours in service,

Brooke

In the Community

Councilmember Pinto and Team Pinto recently have met with residents, advocacy groups, and local partners across the District, including:

• Joining students, parents, and faculty for the first day of school for DCPS students, welcoming kids to the new school year at Garrison and Ross Elementary schools

• Celebrating the ribbon cutting for Genika Cafe, which recently opened on the corner of 9th and O Streets NW in Shaw

• Celebrating the historic milestone of the 100th Annual Holy Convocation for the United House of Prayer for All People

Announcements

Art All Night

This weekend, DC will celebrate Art All Night September 11th-12th – a citywide celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Click here to find out more about events in your community.  

Seaton Elementary School Modernization

Seaton Elementary School modernization work is underway. While the students are at the KC Lewis swing space in LeDroit Park this year and next year, here is the anticipated construction timeline. Learn more here.  

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