District of Columbia legislation · 26th Council
District of Columbia CER201: Vermont Avenue Baptist Church 160th Founders Day Recognition Resolution of 2026
Status: Passed both chambers, September 22, 2026
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, September 22, 2026:
ENROLLED ORIGINAL A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 26-201 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA September 22, 2026 To recognize, honor, and celebrate the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church for its distinguished service to the people of the District of Columbia on its 160th celebration of establishment. WHEREAS, in 1866, former enslaved members gathered in the home of John and Amy Slaughter for the purpose of forming a church; WHEREAS, after receiving the necessary certification from the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, former enslaved members founded the Fifth Baptist Church at 1630 Vermont Avenue, N.W., in the Logan Circle Neighborhood; WHEREAS, Reverend John Henry Brooks, a former Union Army wagon driver, was selected as the Church's first Pastor and led the congregation in acquiring the site and constructing the small wooden structure they named the Fifth Baptist Church; WHEREAS, the main Sanctuary of the new brick Church was built in 1872, a cornerstone was laid, and a number of benevolent organizations were established; WHEREAS, in 1890, under Rev. George Wellington Lee, the growing congregation added the current façade and steeple and adopted the Vermont Avenue Baptist Church name; WHEREAS, since its founding, the Church has been blessed with 9 pastors-- Reverend John Henry Brooks, Reverend George Wellington Lee, Reverend James Edward Willis, Reverend Dr. Chasteen Theophilus Murray, Reverend Dr. John Rayford Wheeler, Reverend …
Sponsors
- Brooke Pinto (D) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Referred to Committee on Retained by the Council
- : Final Reading, CC
- : Introduced in Office of the Secretary
Votes
- Final Reading, CC (September 22, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is CER201?
- CER201 is a bill in the District of Columbia Legislature (26th Council): Vermont Avenue Baptist Church 160th Founders Day Recognition Resolution of 2026.
- What is the status of CER201?
- Passed both chambers as of September 22, 2026. Latest action: Referred to Committee on Retained by the Council (September 22, 2026).
- Who sponsored CER201?
- Brooke Pinto (D).
- Where is the official record for CER201?
- On the District of Columbia Legislature website: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/CER26-0201
Source: official District of Columbia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.