[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 211 (Monday, December 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 RECOGNIZING RETIRING TACOMA MAYOR VICTORIA WOODARDS FOR HER YEARS OF 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN STRICKLAND

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 15, 2025

  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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