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Walter Washington can pinpoint the night that local business leaders made the city their business. In 1968, when riots broke out following the death of Dr. King, the newly appointed mayor called the District's business, civic and religious leaders together and asked for their help. Having been up for three nights straight, Washington was so tired by the time he convened the meeting that he fell asleep with his head in Cardinal Patrick O'Boyle's lap. As he drifted off, he heard the cardinal say, "Let him sleep. When he wakes up, he'll tell us what we've got to do."
It was the start of a working partnership that brought businesses and government together to help the city's people and the local economy.
Washington grew up in Jamestown, New York. He came to DC during the Depression to attend Howard University, did graduate work at American University and received a law degree from Howard. He was chairman of the New York City housing authority when President Johnson tapped him to be the District's first mayor. Seven years later, Washington became the first elected mayor in the District of Columbia in 104 years.
Washington's knowledge of federal bureaucracy enabled the region to put together the funding for Metro. With the enthusiastic support of the Board of Trade, he at one point had 34 major building projects worth $1.3 billion planned for Dc.
Washington still lives in and believes in the District. He has received numerous awards and honorary degrees - but his greatest satisfaction is in the greetings he receives from DC citizens wherever he goes. They show that the love and respect between the city and its former mayor are still mutual.
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