DC Mayor Vincent Gray Addresses Ethiopian Orthodox Church Congregation

Courtesy, Mayor’s Office of African Affairs Washington, DC
November 2013

Mayor highlights administration’s accomplishments and announces new sister city agreement between DC and Addis Ababa.
On Sunday, November 3, 2013, Mayor Vincent C. Gray offered remarks at the Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church to convey his administration’s ongoing effort to engage and improve access for the District’s linguistically and ethnically diverse communities. Over 1200 church members were in attendance as the Mayor announced that DC and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have agreed to enter into a Sister City agreement and highlighted his administration’s accomplishments directly addressing the needs of the District’s growing African community “My administration continues to take action and fully support programs that increase access to services, improve quality of life, and nurture the development of our city’s diverse immigrant communities.” said Mayor Gray in his opening remarks.

Following a warm welcome and introduction by Dr. Getachew Metaferia, Chair of the Board of Advisors at DSK Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Mayor underscored landmark policies such as the Mayor’s Executive Order on Secure Communities declaring DC as a ‘Sanctuary City’, and the Driver’s License Safety Amendment Act of 2013 granting identity cards to undocumented residents as testament to the administration’s continued commitment to creating a welcoming city that facilitates the full engagement of its immigrant residents.

“I’m proud to announce that our city and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have agreed to enter into a sister city agreement,” Mayor Gray said to an enthusiastic crowd. He added, “this agreement is inspired by the large and vibrant Ethiopian diaspora here in the District and by Ethiopia’s emergence as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.” Mayor Gray invited the congregation to attend the signing ceremony, and indicated that the agreement will create opportunities for the District and Addis Ababa to exchange information and collaborate on mutual priorities in economic development, education, youth engagement and cultural projects.

Mayor Gray invited the congregation to attend the signing ceremony, and indicated that the agreement will create opportunities for the District and Addis Ababa to exchange information and collaborate on mutual priorities in economic development, education, youth engagement and cultural projects.

Additional milestones specific to the District’s linguistically and culturally diverse African communities mentioned by the Mayor include the Office on African Affairs’ (OAA) newly acquired grant making authority, the launch of the African Community Grants Program which will build the capacity of culturally and linguistically diverse community-based organizations serving Africans, and the proclamation of September as African Heritage Month for two years in a row in the District.

The Mayor’s visit concluded with a special religious ritual performed by the choir and clergy as well as a tour of the church and Sunday school housed in a building adjacent to the church. Located on 1350 Buchanan Street, NW in Ward 4, the DSK Mariam Church boasts one of the largest Ethiopian congregations in the District and has since its founding in 1987 served as a central place of worship and community life for District residents and families.