On March 28th, DASH will celebrate 5 years as an organization and honor key individuals who have dedicated their service to survivors of domestic and sexual violence who seek safe, affordable housing through our work. We are pleased to be honoring DC Councilmember Jim Graham, interviewed here. Remember to buy tickets to our luncheon!
DC Councilmember Jim Graham
“I have had a strong connection with DASH in that we maintain a similar mission – to provide services and resources to some of the district’s most vulnerable residents. My office has a long-standing history of introducing and co-sponsoring legislation that both raises awareness and aims to help survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. I’ve introduced and co-sponsored such legislation as the Victims of Domestic Violence Fund Establishment Act of 2005, the Latino Community Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Recognition Resolution of 2007, the Emergency Care for Sexual Assault Victims Act of 2008, and the Child Abuse Prevention Month Recognition Resolution of 2011, among a handful of other bills and resolutions geared towards raising awareness and helping survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, and their families.
I was born in Wishaw, Scotland, and, with my parents, emigrated to Hyattsville, MD. And then to Detroit. I received my Masters of Law at Georgetown University, and later became an adjunct professor for the Georgetown University Law Center. I have been licensed to practice law in the District for 33 years, have held a seat on the DC City Council for 14 years, and currently reside in Adams Morgan.
Following are some ideas for improving services for domestic violence survivors in the city:
- Dedicate more city funds to long-term housing options (transitional housing)
- Push for more statewide synergies between law enforcement agencies, health care providers, educational institutions, courts, and advocacy groups.
- Ensure that advocates are adequately trained to meet the quality of services necessary to help survivors of domestic & sexual abuse, as well as their families. “
We are honored to work with Councilmember Graham and to be giving him an award at our luncheon. For more than three decades, Jim Graham has been diligent and focused in his various roles as legislator, activist, and health care provider. In 2010, he was elected to his fourth term as Councilmember for Ward 1 with 81.34% of the vote in the general election.
In his service as Councilmember, Mr. Graham makes constituent services a priority, personally responding to emails and telephone calls he receives from those he represents. He is motivated by a desire to support those who face the greatest challenges within the Ward while working hard for new development. Housing and retail have significantly grown in Ward One during his tenure – indeed many parts of Ward One have been transformed – though the Ward remains the most ethnically and economically diverse area in the city.
Born to parents who lacked a high school diploma and immigrating to the DC area when he was 8, Mr. Graham can relate to the challenges facing those who must rely on government support. He brings this important perspective to bear as Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, which is responsible for matters concerning welfare, social services, certain youth affairs, and disability services, as well as alcohol regulation. In his first months as Chairperson, Mr. Graham successfully fought to avoid massive cuts to homeless services and other key programs that service DC’s most vulnerable residents.
Mr. Graham was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and George Washington University, and supervising instructor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. He has been a member of the District of Columbia Bar in good standing since 1973. Mr. Graham is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and before the U.S. Supreme Court. A graduate of Michigan State University, Mr. Graham received a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School and an L.L.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Mr. Graham currently chairs the Committee on Human Services, and serves on the following committees:
