Washington, Walter E. (Walter Edward), 1915-2003

<p>Walter Edward Washington (April 15, 1915 – October 27, 2003) was an American civil servant and politician. He was the first African-American mayor of a major city in the United States, and he was the first Washington, D.C mayor since 1971. After a career in public housing, Washington was the chief executive of the District of Columbia from 1967 to 1979, serving as the first and only Mayor-Commissioner from 1967 to 1974, and as the first home-rule mayor of the District of Columbia from 1975 to 1979.</p>

<p>Congress had passed a law granting home rule to the capital, while reserving some authorities. Washington won the first mayoral election in 1974, and served from 1975 until 1979.</p>

<p>Washington was the great-grandson of enslaved Americans. He was born in Dawson, Georgia. His family moved North in the Great Migration, and Washington was raised in Jamestown, New York, attending public schools. He earned a bachelor's degree from Howard University and a law degree from Howard University School of Law. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.</p>

<b>Walter Edward Washington</b><br>
<b>BIRTH</b> 15 Apr 1915<br>
Dawson, Terrell County, Georgia, USA<br>
<b>DEATH</b> 27 Oct 2003 (aged 88)<br>
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA<br>
<b>BURIAL</b><br>
Lincoln Memorial Cemetery<br>
Suitland, Prince George's County, Maryland, USA

<p><b>RACES</b>
<ul>
<li> 09/12/1978 DC Mayor - D Primary Lost 31.52% (-3.12%)</li>
<li> 11/05/1974 DC Mayor Won 82.45% (+75.11%)</li>
<li> 09/10/1974 DC Mayor - D Primary Won 54.43% (+8.96%)</li>
</ul>
</p>