CER 26-0121 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

John Fitzgerald Cotten Posthumous Recognition Resolution of 2026

This ceremonial resolution (CER 26-0121) formally honors John Fitzgerald Cotten, a late community leader and public servant from Ward 7, for his decades of service to District residents. It posthumously recognizes his contributions as a Kappa Alpha Psi leader, high school coach, advocate for Southeast Washington, and longtime Treasury employee, while extending condolences to his family. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic, with no new obligations or funding.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Council Passage

Jan 2026

Signed into Law

Jan 2026

Introduced Jan 5, 2026 Signed Jan 6, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 4 edits

MODERATE

This document shows a transition from a draft bill to an enrolled (final) version of a ceremonial resolution honoring John Fitzgerald Cotten. The primary changes involve formatting adjustments, addition of an enrollment date (January 6, 2026), and expansion of condolences to include specific recipients including his wife, family, fraternity brothers, and community members. The substantive policy content remains unchanged as this is a ceremonial recognition resolution.

TECHNICAL

Added enrollment date of January 6, 2026 and bill number 26-121 to the enrolled version

Changed effective date from 'upon first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register' to 'immediately' for the enrolled version

Removed draft formatting including councilmember names, page numbers, and editorial markup symbols

REQUIREMENT

Expanded condolences in Section 2 to specifically name Silhouette Cotten (wife), family, fraternity brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi, and community members whose lives were touched by Cotten

Floor votes · Council Jan 6, 2026

How they voted

12–0

Passed

Total votes 12

Jan 6, 2026

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 6, 2026

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (12-0)

council

Jan 5, 2026

Introduced

CER26-0121 Introduced by Councilmember R. White at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors