February 3, 2000
Mayor, Council Renames Recreation Center to Honor Late Councilmember Harry Thomas, Sr.
(Washington, D.C.) On what would have been the 78th birthday of the late Councilmember Harry Thomas, Sr., Mayor Anthony A. Williams today signed the Harry Thomas Recreation Center Emergency Designation Act. The bill renames the Langley-McKinley Recreation Center located at Lincoln Road and T Streets, NE as the Harry L. Thomas, Sr. Recreation Center in honor of the late Councilmember from Ward 5.
Harry Thomas, Sr. served more than 25 years as a distinguished public servant in many different roles including a community activist, advisory neighborhood commissioner and the member of the D. C. Democratic State Committee, and for twelve years on the D.C. City Council.
"I can't think of anyone who is more deserving and that had such dedicated commitment to our community," said Mayor Williams. "I am happy to be able to play a part in bestowing such an honor to him and his wonderful family. I also want to thank Councilmember Orange for his leadership for moving this resolution through the Council."
The bill was introduced to the council this past Tuesday and was passed unanimously by the Council. The Mayor signed the legislation today to honor the anniversary of Harry Thomas, Sr's birthday on February 3rd.
"The renaming of the Langley-McKinley Recreation Center is an appropriate honor to memorialize the outstanding public service of the late Harry Thomas, Sr., and I am pleased that I was able to play a major role in the renaming of it," said Councilmember Vincent Orange. "It is especially fitting that the facility that will bear his name is one that will be used by children, because of the Councilmember Thomas' love, dedication and devotion to youth."
"I am very thankful and appreciative and I speak for my entire family, that this act has been undertaken by the Mayor and the Council, especially on this day - Harry's birthday," said the wife of the late Councilmember, Mrs. Romaine Thomas. "I hope that this center will serve as a monument to my late husband's name and act as a reminder of his service to all segments of society.
"We appreciate that the Mayor has kept his commitment to our family by designating a building in Ward 5 in honor of my father. We will support events at this center so that it won't be just a name," said son of the late Councilmember, Harry Thomas, Jr. "One way we hope to do that is with a softball league in honor of my father and the Mayor that will promote good sportsmanship.
A Harry Thomas Community Task Force, comprised of members of the Thomas family, friends, Mayor's staff, Council staff and members of the community, met twice to select the best site to recommend to the Mayor for redesignation. The final step will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Department of Recreation and Parks this spring.
