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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E16-E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF MS. TONI WASHINGTON
______
HON. JOHN LEWIS
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Mr. LEWIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my constituents and
the African American Fire Fighters Historical Society in recognizing
the tenth anniversary of Ms. Toni Washington's appointment as the fire
chief of Decatur, Georgia.
On January 6, 2009, Chief Washington became the first African-
American and the first woman to serve as the City of Decatur's fire
chief and emergency manager. As the fourth of six African-American
women appointed as fire chief in the United States, Chief Washington is
the only African-American woman who is actively leading a fire
department.
Chief Washington began her public safety career at the Georgia State
Fire Marshal's Office and continued her career at a Metro Atlanta fire
department where she was promoted up to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief.
Prior to her career in public safety, Ms. Washington
[[Page E17]]
worked on Turner Home Entertainment's marketing and public relations
team, on actress Jane Fonda's staff, and with the Cobb Microenterprise
Council.
Chief Washington earned an undergraduate degree in business
administration with an emphasis on marketing and management from
Savannah State University and continued her studies at National Louis
University, where she earned a master's of science degree in managerial
leadership. She maintains a commitment to professional development
exemplified by her attendance of the Dr. Carl Holmes Executive
Development Institute at Dillard University and the National Fire
Academy, and her Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for
Public Safety Excellence.
In her limited spare time, Chief Washington is also active in
numerous professional associations and community organizationi She is a
proud member of the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association,
International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, the
Black Chief Officers Committee, the International Association of Fire
Chiefs, the Georgia State Firefighters Association, and Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Washington also chairs the Georgia
Firefighters Bum Foundation's board of directors, is a trustee of the
iWomen board, and volunteers with the Decatur Career Academy Advisory's
council and various mentoring programs.
In closing, Madam Speaker, I would also like to extend my warmest
greetings and congratulations to Chief Washington's loving family--her
husband Gregory; daughters--Tahj, Lark, and Lauryn; son-in-laws--Lyndon
and Mark; and her grandsons--Little Lyndon and Logan. I commend Chief
Washington on her 10th anniversary and thank her for serving the City
of Decatur and contributing to the safety and well-being of our region
and nation.
____________________