John A. Wilson
Encyclopedia
John A. Wilson was an American
politician.
Wilson served in 1974 as the chairman of the drive to approve the referendum to adopt the Home Rule Charter
for the District of Columbia. The charter established the most democratic structure in the history of local government in the District, allowing residents for the first time to elect both a mayor and a 13-member city council called the Council of the District of Columbia
. After approval of the charter in 1974, Wilson successfully ran for election to the council, representing Ward 2, which at that time was the most diverse ward in the city. He represented Ward 2 until he was sworn in as chairman of the council on January 2, 1991. He served as chairman until his death by suicide in 1993. The John A. Wilson Building
was then named after him.
During Wilson's tenure as the Ward 2 council member, he chaired the Committee on Finance and Revenue and was widely acknowledged as an expert in municipal finances. His early warnings about government overspending proved prophetic, eventually leading the U.S. Congress to establish a financial control board to oversee the city's finances for a number of years.
Wilson's legislative record includes controls on converting rental housing to condominiums, gun control, rent control, and expanded medical coverage for women and children. He wrote the District's tough anti-hate crimes laws as well as its human rights law, which is one of the most comprehensive in the country.
During his council years, Wilson was a Harvard Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
. He also attended the Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government at Harvard University
.
In the 1960s, Wilson was active in the civil rights movement, first with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP) and then with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
(SNCC). He moved to Washington, D.C., as associate director of the National Sharecroppers Fund. He was also co-chaired the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee
and was elected to represent D.C. on the Democratic National Committee
in 1992.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician.
Wilson served in 1974 as the chairman of the drive to approve the referendum to adopt the Home Rule Charter
District of Columbia Home Rule Act
The District of Columbia Home Rule Act is a United States federal law passed on December 24, 1973 which devolved certain congressional powers of the District of Columbia to local government, furthering District of Columbia home rule...
for the District of Columbia. The charter established the most democratic structure in the history of local government in the District, allowing residents for the first time to elect both a mayor and a 13-member city council called the Council of the District of Columbia
Council of the District of Columbia
The Council of the District of Columbia is the legislative branch of the local government of the District of Columbia. As permitted in the United States Constitution, the District is not part of any U.S. state and is instead overseen directly by the federal government...
. After approval of the charter in 1974, Wilson successfully ran for election to the council, representing Ward 2, which at that time was the most diverse ward in the city. He represented Ward 2 until he was sworn in as chairman of the council on January 2, 1991. He served as chairman until his death by suicide in 1993. The John A. Wilson Building
John A. Wilson Building
The John A. Wilson Building, popularly known simply as the Wilson Building or the JAWB, houses the offices and chambers of the Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia. Originally called the District Building, it was renamed in 1994 to commemorate former Council Chair John A. Wilson...
was then named after him.
During Wilson's tenure as the Ward 2 council member, he chaired the Committee on Finance and Revenue and was widely acknowledged as an expert in municipal finances. His early warnings about government overspending proved prophetic, eventually leading the U.S. Congress to establish a financial control board to oversee the city's finances for a number of years.
Wilson's legislative record includes controls on converting rental housing to condominiums, gun control, rent control, and expanded medical coverage for women and children. He wrote the District's tough anti-hate crimes laws as well as its human rights law, which is one of the most comprehensive in the country.
During his council years, Wilson was a Harvard Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
. He also attended the Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
In the 1960s, Wilson was active in the civil rights movement, first with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, usually abbreviated as NAACP, is an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909. Its mission is "to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to...
(NAACP) and then with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee ' was one of the principal organizations of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. It emerged from a series of student meetings led by Ella Baker held at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina in April 1960...
(SNCC). He moved to Washington, D.C., as associate director of the National Sharecroppers Fund. He was also co-chaired the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee
District of Columbia Democratic State Committee
The District of Columbia Democratic State Committee is the local branch of the Democratic Party in Washington, D.C.Democrats make up 75 percent of the registered voters in the District of Columbia, while 7 percent are registered with the Republican Party , 1 percent with the D.C...
and was elected to represent D.C. on the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
in 1992.