Recognizing Retiring Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards for Her Years of Service

Floor Speech

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Ms. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Victoria Woodards, who is retiring as Tacoma, Washington's 39th Mayor.

A graduate of Lincoln High School, she proudly served her country in the U.S. Army, thinking she would see the world, and ended up right back home at Fort Lewis. She also pursued a long career in public service as a parks commissioner, as a city councilmember, and as mayor of Tacoma.

I congratulate Victoria on an exemplary and distinguished career of more than 15 years serving the people of Tacoma. Under her leadership, the city launched the Equity and Empowerment Initiative, which led to the creation of our Office of Equity and Human Rights. The city implemented key police reforms, including updates to the use-of-force standards. She established the city of Tacoma's first Youth Commission, giving high school students a chance to learn how government works. She passed Home in Tacoma, which expanded key and necessary housing opportunities across the entire city. She also raised our profile nationally by serving as president of the National League of Cities, promoting the platform of people, partnership, and possibilities. She launched the Growing Resilience in Tacoma, otherwise known as GRIT, one of the first guaranteed income pilots in the entire Nation to address systemic poverty. She supported the creation of Maritime 253, which is a skills training center in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools and the Port of Tacoma.

Throughout her career, Mayor Woodards has broken barriers, championed equity and justice for all, and has been instrumental in ensuring that every voice in our community is heard. I thank Mayor Woodards for her selfless service to the City of Destiny, Tacoma, Washington, and the Nation.

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