Ward 7 Leaders and Residents in Support of Reconsideration and Reinstatement of Ward 7 Council Member Vince Gray as Chairman of the Council's Health Committee

To:  Phil Mendelson, At Large
       Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia 

       1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 

        Washington, D.C. 20010 

Da:   December 22, 2022

Dear Chairman Mendelson:

    We the undersigned and those parties who are copied on this email are Ward 7 leaders and residents who write to urge you to reconsider your decision to reassign the Health Committee Chairmanship.  We, respectfully, request that you immediately reinstate Vince Gray as Chairman of the Committee.

    We understand that you have concerns about our Ward 7 Council Member's health after he suffered a stroke and other complications.  We understand that Vince Gray's doctors have cleared him to return to work; he has not been adjudged by the Probate Division of the Superior Court to be a person who is incapacitated; and, as an aging individual with resulting diminished abilities, he may be entitled to deference under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the corresponding laws of the District of Columbia, which protect elderly individuals with some diminished conditions.  

    Given Council Member Vince Gray's medical clearance, we are particularly concerned about his removal.  The Council Member's immense knowledge and commitment to improve Ward 7 residents' and the entire City residents' health care is proven from a record of achievements. His knowledge and abilities in the Healthcare space are unparalleled.  

     Further, Ward 7 deserves a dedicated Council Member focusing upon our most critical need: health care.

    Ward 7 has the highest health disparities in the nation, especially in terms of the health of pregnant women.  Vince has championed these matters for our Ward.  He ensured that Wards 7 & 8 would have a trauma and full-service hospital with two urgent-care centers.   We are concerned that anyone else installed as chair would not provide the knowledge and consistency needed to address the dire health care needs of Ward 7.

    Thanks to Vince's vision and expertise, Ward 7 is positioned to address the health crisis we have faced for years.  We remain confident in Vince and need him to continue to serve our critical needs for health care in our Ward and throughout the city.

    Further, removing Vince Gray due to the consequences of his stroke is inconsistent with his election.  Many Ward-7 residents re-elected him due to his service as Chairman of the Health Committee.  His removal for his health status post stroke and other ailments sets a bad precedent for the City of Washington, especially in the wake of John Karl Fetterman's election to the U.S. Senate after his stroke. 

    We want Vince back in the seat, now, since he has medical clearance! Those parties who are copied on this email affirmatively endorse the efforts to reinstate Vince Gray.

                                                                                        Respectfully,

 

Julie Rones

James Short 

Villareal VJ Johnson