5862697 ACR 21-146, Frederick Douglass Grant Posthumous Recognition Resolution of 2015  

  • A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

    21-146 

    IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

    December 1, 2015

    To posthumously honor the life of Frederick Douglass Grant for his outstanding achievements and steadfast dedication to serving the District of Columbia and members of the Ward 4 community.

    WHEREAS, Frederick Douglass Grant, who was affectionately known by his family as “Fred,” was born on December 10, 1936 in Conway, North Carolina and attended Northampton County public schools;

    WHEREAS, Fred Grant entered the armed forces and became a certified journeyman mechanic and a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in North Carolina;

    WHEREAS, in 1959, Fred Grant moved to Washington, D.C. from North Carolina after completing 3 years of service in the military;

    WHEREAS, Fred Grant became a member of the Solid Rock Full Gospel Baptist Church in Washington, D,C, and then attended the Washington Baptist Theological Seminary after being greatly influenced by Dr. Nehemiah Rhinehart, Sr.;

    WHEREAS, in 1967, Fred Grant became an ordained minister and in 1968 became the assistant pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church where, for 12 years, he served as a young adult leader and provided encouragement and guidance to the church’s youth;

    WHEREAS, in 1967, Fred Grant married Malida Vaughan and had 2 children;

    WHEREAS, Fred Grant started a trucking business and Grant’s Auto Service shortly after moving to Washington D.C., and in September of 1967, became the first African-American auto mechanic to work at Washington Gas, where he later became assistant security manager for the company and held that position until he retired in 1998;

    WHEREAS, Fred Grant was actively involved in his community and was a member of the first cohort of Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners elected in 1976;

    WHEREAS, after being elected in 1976, Fred Grant became the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for ANC 4B, where he diligently served for nearly 40 years and became a pillar in the Brightwood East and Takoma communities;

    WHEREAS, Fred Grant dedicated his time to civic organizations and volunteered with numerous charities that help District of Columbia residents, including Christmas in April of Washington, DC, an organization that rehabilitates the homes of low-income elderly and disabled homeowners;

    WHEREAS, Fred Grant was actively engaged and involved in local politics, including the 2014 campaigns for Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd; and

    WHEREAS, on September 27, 2015, Fred Grant passed away, leaving behind a great legacy of civic engagement and public service, in addition to a wife, Malinda; 2 sons, Rufus and Gary; one daughter, Valerie; one brother, Randolph; 6 grandchildren, Antoine, Deseanna, Jarrell, Marisa, Nehemiah, Gina; and one great-grandchild, Narreah.

    RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Frederick Douglass Grant Posthumous Recognition Resolution of 2015”.

    Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors and celebrates the life of Frederick Douglass Grant for his outstanding achievements and steadfast dedication to serving the District of Columbia and members of the Ward 4 community.

    Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.