A deputy director in the office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser died from the coronavirus.
The death of George Valentine, who was the deputy director of the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel, was announced at a press conference on Friday. Bowser noted that Valentine had been admitted to a hospital on Wednesday but did not recover from the illness.
“It is devastating for everyone. These are folks that are coming to work because they are performing essential tasks,” Bowser said, later adding that “everybody in the District of Columbia is close to me, and it’s a precious life.”
She also posted a tweet honoring Valentine.
“George Valentine epitomized what it is to be a dedicated public servant. George was often a mentor, and he always shared his deep knowledge of law & his boundless love of DC. On behalf of all District of Columbia residents, I share my deepest condolences to his family & friends,” she said.
George Valentine epitomized what it is to be a dedicated public servant
George was often a mentor, and he always shared his deep knowledge of law & his boundless love of DC
On behalf of all District of Columbia residents, I share my deepest condolences to his family & friends pic.twitter.com/GkzdJWylzc
— Muriel Bowser #StayHomeDC (@MurielBowser) March 27, 2020
Valentine worked for the city for most of his career after graduating from Harvard Law, including 16 years as Washington’s deputy attorney general. The office will be tracing back his contact with other employees to ensure that those who may have been infected are alerted.
Alice Miller, the director of the D.C. Board of Elections, said she was shocked to hear of Valentine’s death from Bowser.
“I just wasn’t prepared to hear her say that. George was just a wonderful person. Very, very nice. Very congenial, always willing to help support. … I just wasn’t ready for that one,” Miller said.
D.C. Councilman Robert White, who had worked in the office of Attorney General Karl Racine, expressed similar grief after hearing of Valentine’s death.
“I’m devastated that the coronavirus took the life of a great District servant, former colleague, and all around incredible man, George Valentine. I’m praying for his family and friends and encourage us all, in George’s memory, to stay home as we work together to get through this,” he tweeted.
I’m devastated that the coronavirus took the life of a great District servant, former colleague, and all around incredible man, George Valentine. I’m praying for his family and friends and encourage us all, in George’s memory, to stay home as we work together to get through this
— Robert C. White, Jr. (@RobertWhite_DC) March 27, 2020
Washington had 271 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and three related deaths as of Friday afternoon.
City officials expressed frustration with the federal economic relief package that passed the House on Friday as it allocated less than half as much money to the nation’s capital as it did for states with much smaller populations.
