Love has a Destination – Washington, DC

Kwame administers oath of office to Dr. Ruth

WASHINGTON – Today, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, chair of the Committee on Economic Development, administered the oath of office to Dr. Ruth Westheimer, officially naming her as DC’s Honorary Secretary on Love and Relationships.  They joined Destination DC to launch Date Nights DC: A 28-Day Stimulus Plan for Love and Relationships.

“Love has a destination and that destination is Washington, DC,” said Councilmember Brown.  “DC is not only the seat of power, it’s a powerful place to fall in love and raise a family.  I encourage residents from across the country to ignite their passions and come to DC for a date they’ll never forget.”

Dr. Ruth’s appointment is just one part of a larger push by DC’s official tourism industry to capitalize on the national attention that the Obamas have created with their publicized romantic outings.  Destination DC created a mock government agency, the “Department of Love and Relationships,” staffed with hospitality and tourism professionals and headed up by “Secretary” Dr. Ruth.  It is intended primarily to attract tourists and boost the entertainment, food and lodging industries, but also seeks to bring a little cheer and romance into the lives of DC and area residents.

Destination DC worked in cooperation with businesses and tourist attractions all across DC.  Participating vendors are offering special deals, from the International Spy Museum (the “Love a Spy” package) and the Newseum (“Will You Be My Co-Anchor?”) to local restaurants across the city, such as TenPenh, DC Coast, Acadiana and Zentan, not to mention hotels that are offering special-rate “Date Nights DC” reservations.

The promotion will run through February 2010, and is sure to boost DC’s status as an entertainment, dining and hospitality destination.  Destination DC has stated that ultimately Date Nights DC will become a tradition like Restaurant Week, which continues to be a financial boon for restaurants across the region.  Visit www.datenightsdc.org to learn more.

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.