Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to honor the life of Mr. Clifton Thomas Walker, who passed away on April 25, 2017, at the age of 95. Throughout his life, Mr. Walker was a respected leader in our community and an exemplary husband, father, and grandfather. His dedicated service, with the U.S. Marine Corps, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, and Lovettsville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, helped keep the people of Virginia's Tenth District safe for over 50 years, and he will always be remembered.

Mr. Walker, originally from Bullock, North Carolina, joined the Marine Corps in December of 1941 just three days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. During his 20 years in the Marine Corps, he was stationed around the world, serving in Northern Ireland, Guam, Okinawa, Washington, DC, and Lebanon. Additionally, he was a decorated member of the Marine Corps Pistol Team, receiving bronze, silver, and gold medals, and he achieved the rank of Distinguished Pistol Shot in record time.

In May of 1959, Mr. Walker married his wife, Elaine, and they began building their home on South Berlin Pike in Lovettsville, Virginia, where they lived since Mr. Walker's retirement from the Marine Corps in 1961. Mr. Walker went on to work for DECO Electronics in Leesburg, the Painter Lumber Company in Lovettsville, and finally the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, where he served for thirteen years as the manager of the Department's Office of Property and Evidence.

During that time, Mr. Walker also served his community in various capacities. He was previously a member of the Lovettsville Town Council, the Lovettsville Planning Commission, and the Lovettsville Lions Club. He also volunteered for 35 years, starting in 1966, as a member of the Lovettsville Rescue Squad, which chartered as the Lovettsville District Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, lnc. In recognition of his honorable service, he received the second Rescueman of the Year Award in 1971 and the Most Dedicated Member of the Year Award in 1980. Through his long and impressive career Mr. Walker became one of the most well respected members of the entire fire Company, and the memory of his dedication to service will always be present as a true inspiration to our local community.

Mr. Walker leaves behind a selfless legacy and career of service and will be greatly missed by the countless lives he has touched. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and three daughters, Debbie, Linda and Carol, his grandson, Brandon, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life of, and bidding farewell to, Clifton Thomas Walker. May he rest in peace, and his family be comforted.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize this year's recipients of the Interfaith Bridge Builder Awards, Mr. Rizwan Jaka, Rabbi Jack Luxemburg, and Ms. Priscilla Martinez.

Since 1978, the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC) has brought together people of eleven historic faiths to promote a dialogue and advocate for religious tolerance and cooperation across our nation and region. In order to bring these religious groups and our diverse community together, the IFC hosts a variety of events, including award ceremonies and seminars. The IFC also engages in grassroots activity while providing a broad range of educational tools.

This year marks the 13th Annual InterFaith Bridge Builders Awards, in which the IFC recognizes the achievements and leadership of individuals in our region. Mr. Rizwan Jaka, Rabbi Jack Luxemburg, and Ms. Priscilla Martinez are not only exemplary leaders within the IFC, but they are also extremely respected in our communities.

Additionally, I want to specifically recognize my constituents and friends, Mr. Rizwan Jaka and Ms. Priscilla Martinez, who for years have been tremendous leaders in Northern Virginia, both with very active roles within the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS). In these roles, they have not only strengthened our region's interfaith relations, but they have placed a great deal of emphasis on educating our youth. Mr. Jaka previously served as the President of ADAMS and is currently serving as a Member at Large of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and on the Board of Directors for the IFC.

Mr. Speaker, organizations, like the IFC, that focus on fostering strong and welcoming communities are vital to the success of our region. I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking the IFC for their continuous efforts and to congratulate Mr. Rizwan Jaka, Rabbi Jack Luxemburg, and Ms. Priscilla Martinez on receiving this year's Interfaith Bridge Builder Awards. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to use this time to recognize an outstanding constituent in Virginia's 10th District, Sara Ablard, who has had an incredible impact on increasing awareness for children with cleft palates and cleft lips. Working closely with the Smile Train, an organization that helps cover the $250 surgery for infants with the birth defect known as cleft lip or cleft palate, Ms. Ablard founded the Sadie's Smile Foundation in honor of her daughter Sadie who passed away six years ago during a roller skating accident.

Ms. Ablard always remembers Sadie's beautiful smile and her compassion for other children. One day while walking through Dulles Town Center, Sadie saw a poster of a boy with a cleft palate and was intrigued and curious as to how she might be able to help him and others. That Christmas, Sadie and Ms. Ablard asked for donations instead of presents, and they were able to raise $500, which fully funded two surgeries for infants with cleft palates and lips.

Sadie truly wanted to give others the chance to smile, as she once did so brightly and proudly, and when she passed away, Ms. Ablard made it her life goal to preserve Sadie's legacy through helping others. She started the Sadie's Smile Foundation, which, this year, is hosting its 6th Annual 5K & Kids Fun Run for Smile Train, with the goal of raising $478,250, signifying $250 for each day her daughter was alive and smiling. The 5K and Fun Run not only increase awareness and raise money for the Smile Train organization, but the event also helps us all remember Sadie and bring the community together.

Mr. Speaker, I now ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Sara Ablard's heroic actions and the memory of her beloved daughter, Sadie. Individuals, like Sara, who overcome terrible tragedies in their own lives and go on to help others, truly make me proud to serve Virginia's 10th District, and today, we honor and celebrate her contributions to our community and to those less fortunate. I wish Sara all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the grand opening of Experimac in Manassas, Virginia, a retail and tech service store specializing in preowned Apple computers and devices. In addition to preowned product sales, Experimac also offers a variety of services, including screen repairs, diagnostics and troubleshooting, software installation, and more. With its prime location on Sudley Road in Manassas, I look forward to the valuable services Experimac will afford many members of the Manassas community.

My constituents, Ron Mosley and his wife, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, are the proprietors of this Experimac location, and given their illustrious careers and backgrounds, I am confident the store will be a tremendous success. Benita, currently the CEO of Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, was born and raised in Manassas and Woodbridge, Virginia and is an Olympic Gold Medalist, and Ron studied electrical engineering at Brown University and has worked as a sales and marketing executive for over 15 years. In 2016, the two decided to return to Virginia to start a business that would support their community through both job creation and service.

While Experimac itself operates under the United Franchise Group umbrella and has more than 170 locations across the country, the broader company's success speaks to the need for local technology experts in today's competitive secondhand tech market. I am grateful for the resources the Manassas location will provide everyday customers, schools, and businesses.

In today's competitive economy, businesses like Experimac not only assist people with the services they offer, but they also foster strong local and secondhand economies. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding the Grand Opening of Experimac. I am very thankful for the broad range of opportunities it will afford my constituents of Virginia's 10th District, and I look forward to the positive impact it will have on individuals, schools, businesses, and our commonwealth as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the grand opening of Delirium Cafe in Leesburg, Virginia, a world renowned international franchise known for its great food and extensive beer selection. Delirium Cafe's flagship franchise is located in Brussels, Belgium, and this grand opening marks its first location in the United States. While offering some classic dishes and beers, and yet at the same time being situated at the corner of South King Street and Loudoun Street, Delirium Cafe will provide its patrons with a traditional Belgian experience right here in Virginia's 10th District.

Curtis Allred, former manager of the Shoes Cup & Cork and a Leesburg native, traveled to Brussels six years ago and has since dreamed of opening a Delirium Cafe here in the United States. This dream started to come to fruition earlier this year, as he, his business partner, Rick Leith, and Aislin Kavaldjian, who will serve as the Assistant General Manager of Delirium Cafe, began working tirelessly to open the doors of this restaurant after signing their first lease on January 1, 2017. Since then, Mr. Allred has leased two additional connected spaces, and the restaurant now has the capacity to sit over 150 guests with both indoor and outdoor seating.

Delirium Cafe is known internationally for its beer selections, but it was important to Mr. Allred and his management team to strike a balance between offering world renowned beers and beers from local breweries. In addition to providing customers with a wide array of beverage selections, Delirium Cafe will also offer catering services, lease space for private events, and sell a variety of merchandise.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues rise and join me in applauding the Grand Opening of Delirium Cafe. Not only am I excited for the experiences and memories it will afford my constituents, but as the only location in the United States, I look forward to the visitors that will be drawn to downtown Leesburg, a truly vibrant area. I wish Mr. Allred, Ms. Kavaldjian, Mr. Leith, and the entire 50 person staff of Delirium Cafe all the best moving forward and in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the Honorable Joe May, my friend and former colleague from the House of Delegates of the Virginia General Assembly. Delegate May has had both an illustrious business career, in which he has served as the Founder, Chief Technology Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Electronic Instrumentation and Technology (EIT), and a distinguished career as a public servant as he honorably and capably represented the people of Virginia's 33rd House District for two decades.

Delegate May has dedicated most of his life serving the people of Virginia, starting with his service in the United States military. Afterwards, Delegate May became a professional engineer and has since excelled in the field of electrical engineering, as he obtained 24 patents for a variety of inventions, including, among others, a signature reproduction machine, an instrument to measure the curvature of railroad tracks, and the instrument used for measuring octane on gasoline. Then in 1977, soon after he relocated to Loudoun County, Delegate May and his wife, Bobby, founded Electronic Instrumentation and Technology (EIT), which provides electronic manufacturing and engineering services for the medical, communications, industrial process control and analytical instrument markets. EIT would later evolve into a multi-million-dollar company and has been instrumental to the development and success of Loudoun County's economy during a period when the county's economy has flourished.

In 1993, the year that would mark the advent of his political career, Delegate May was first elected to the House of Delegates from Virginia's 33rd District, which at the time included parts of Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, and Loudoun counties. In the House of Delegates, Delegate May's sharp business acumen and unique experience as only one a few professional engineers in the entire General Assembly, enabled him to play an integral role in passing numerous legislative initiates, including a bill to establish the House's Science and Technology Committee, of which he would later serve as chair. Through his time as Chair of both the Joint Commission on Technology and Science and the Science and Technology Committee, Delegate May helped promote legislation that allowed Loudoun County to become a leading innovator in the technology sector while also ensuring that western Loudoun retained its bucolic character.

For Delegate May's innumerable contributions in both his career as an entrepreneur and public servant, a remarkable number of well-deserved accolades and honors have been bestowed upon him, including being inducted into Virginia Tech's College of Engineering Academy of Engineering Excellence, being named the Loudoun Times-Mirror's Person of the Year for 2012, and being recognized as the Legislator of the Year by multiple associations, such as the Virginia Soil, Water and Conversation Districts, the Virginia Cable and Telecommunications Association, and the Virginia Biotechnology Association and Virginia Transit. Delegate May is the true embodiment of a public servant, and the residents of Virginia will benefit for years to come from his lifetime of service to the Commonwealth. It is honor to call him a friend and I wish him all the best as he continues his focus on the development and expansion of EIT and on whatever future endeavors he may pursue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an extraordinary leader, Karen Cleveland, for the incredible impact she has had on individuals, families, and communities in Northern Virginia and to congratulate her on being named Northern Virginia Family Service's 2017 Community Champion,

Ms. Cleveland's father, Jim Kelly, was a coach and Athletic Director at the University of Cincinnati, and she and her family not only had a strong grasp for health and wellness, but also for working with others. Accordingly, after graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1978, Ms. Cleveland began her career in Fairfax County teaching aerobics. She knew she wanted to engage with her community, which is why she took an executive position in the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce in 1986. She then had the opportunity, in 1988, to serve as the first Executive Director for Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, which at the time was a start-up chamber that needed tremendous leadership to grow. At the chamber, she worked to establish business and community relationships, and her efforts included starting initiatives to host awards ceremonies, fundraisers, and more. Additionally, she then went on to serve as the executive vice president of the Association of Sales and Marketing Companies and as the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia.

In 2008, Ms. Cleveland received a certificate in leadership coaching from Georgetown University and then started the Cleveland Coaching Group. As a Leadership Coach, she works with executives and emerging leaders to assist them with their personal growth and development. Now as the president and CEO of Leadership Fairfax, Inc., a community leadership development organization, Ms. Cleveland's expertise has allowed her to empower other individuals and organizations to expand their businesses and explore new opportunities. She has received numerous impressive awards, including being named the YMCA of Metropolitan DC Volunteer of the Year, receiving the EXCEL Award for Nonprofit Leadership Excellence by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and more.

Ms. Cleveland's dedication to improving and preserving businesses and leaders is evident through her illustrious career of dedication and impressive accomplishments. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Ms. Karen Cleveland on being named Northern Virginia Family Service's 2017 Community Champion, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the commemoration of the Great Falls Library Community Room in honor of Marge Gersic and also to recognize her tremendous contributions to not only the Great Falls Community Library, but the entire 10th District of Virginia over the course of her 20 years of public service.

Growing up as the child of two German immigrants in Queens, New York, Ms. Gersic often found herself in her local library, reading books written in English. There she not only gained an appreciation for books, but she also learned about the impact libraries can have on a community. Ms. Gersic began her work in the Great Falls community after moving to the area in 1971 with her husband and then newborn son. As both a member of the Library Board and as President of the Great Falls Citizens Association, she was instrumental in placing a library in Great Falls and also in preserving it throughout the years.

In both 1989 and 1996, as a skilled and dedicated public organizer, Ms. Gersic led community movements to keep the Great Falls mini-library open amidst budget cuts that would have eliminated numerous mini- libraries across Fairfax County. By organizing drives, collecting signatures, and leading these movements, she was able to keep the local mini-library open. In fact, during the 1996 budget cuts, four mini- libraries across Fairfax closed, but due to her initiatives the Great Falls library remained open. In addition to her efforts to preserve the library throughout the years, as a member of the Fairfax County Library Board, Gersic was also integral in the funding and the eventual expansion of the library to its current location, which opened in October of 2000.

Honoring the life of Ms. Gersic with a room in the library, which she worked so hard to maintain and expand is only fitting, and I am thankful for the Great Falls Citizens Association's dedication to preserving her legacy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Marge Gersic and the commemoration of the Great Falls Library Community Room, which will serve as a permanent reminder of all her contributions to both the library and the community at large.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the grand opening of CenterFuse in Manassas, Virginia, an innovative business accelerator that will allow individuals, entrepreneurs, start-up companies, and established firms to lease office space and conference rooms. This state of the art facility is equipped with brand new office and conference equipment, including smart televisions, fast wifi, and a fully functional kitchen. While offering some of the most modern technology, and yet at the same time being situated in Old Town Manassas, CenterFuse will provide the residents of Virginia's 10th Congressional District with 24/7 access to a unique combination of advanced technology and a relaxed and familiar setting.

The idea for CenterFuse was originally conceived by Gail and Bennet Whitlock, of Whitlock Financial, and Jacqueline and Ken Krick, of ECU Communications, who formed an LLC to purchase the Hyson Building in Manassas on the corner of Center Street and Main Street. The two firms have their own offices upstairs, but below, where the Fauquier Bank once stood, they built CenterFuse. To fund the construction of CenterFuse, they formed a public-private partnership with the City of Manassas, receiving a $200,000 grant from Manassas City leaders. The day-to-day operations will be overseen by Historic Manassas, Inc. (HMI) and their Executive Director/CEO, Debbie Haight, and under her leadership, HMI will manage the office's front desk, organize classes and activities, and lead the recruiting efforts for new clients.

In today's competitive economy, many small companies and individuals require modern workspaces, yet often find it difficult to secure or maintain an office. CenterFuse will ameliorate this problem by offering a variety of options for businesses, ranging from year-long leases for private offices to co-working day passes. This will enable these growing businesses or individuals to work in an environment that caters to their specific needs.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues join me in applauding the Grand Opening of CenterFuse. It is my hope that CenterFuse will help Virginia's 10th Congressional District to continue to be a catalyst for new businesses to thrive. I am very thankful for the broad range of opportunities it will afford my constituents and I look forward to the positive impact it will have on individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses and our commonwealth as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to use this time to recognize the 10th Anniversary of Women Giving Back, a local non-profit organization in Virginia's 10th District dedicated to helping women and children less fortunate. Women Giving Back focuses on providing homeless women and children in crisis with appropriate clothing to boost their confidence and self-esteem as they attempt to enter the workforce or fit in at school. On the second Saturday of each month, the Women Giving Back store, in Sterling, Virginia, opens its doors to hundreds of homeless women and children, allowing them to shop from its donated collection completely free of charge.

Women Giving Back was founded in 2007 as a program of HomeAid NoVA, a non-profit that, since 2001, has completed over 100 projects, building and renovating housing and shelter facilities across Northern Virginia. In 2015, Women Giving Back established their own non-profit, separating from HomeAid NoVA, however the two organizations still work together, helping thousands receive both clothing and shelter each year.

Since its inception, Women Giving Back has distributed over 500,000 items to more than 23,000 women and 15,300 children from over 100 shelters across Northern Virginia. Today, potential shoppers work with case managers at Women Giving Back to determine their eligibility and schedule times to shop, and once they are approved, qualified shoppers can obtain up to 50 clothing items per month. To support this large- scale monthly program, throughout the year staff and volunteers sort clothing, coordinate clothing drives, conduct community outreach, and fundraise. The arduous process, which the staff and volunteers undertake to serve the shoppers, is a true testament to the generosity, hard work, and dedication of the volunteers and staff at Women Giving Back.

One annual fundraiser that has garnered a great deal of popularity and community involvement is the Cinco De Mayo event, which helps the organization sustain its store program throughout the year. It is entertaining, forward thinking, community events, like the Cinco De Mayo event, that have helped the organization thrive and maintain its strong presence in our community for the past 10 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing the 10th Anniversary of Women Giving Back and in thanking them for their commitment and service to our community. The efforts and contributions from the staff, volunteers, corporate sponsors, and our community are truly exemplary, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 75th Anniversary of the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department in Great Falls, Virginia. Established in 1942 and originally named the Forestville Volunteer Fire Department, the Department formed as an auxiliary to the McLean Fire Department to enhance Virginia's domestic readiness during World War II. The original membership of 29 volunteer firefighters has doubled, and the department now includes paid ranks, operational members, and administrative members, and today is a fixture of the Great Falls community.

Through exemplary leadership, community support, and working in coordination with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department has experienced immense growth since its inception in 1942. Originally, the Department only had a small barn, a single 1942 Chevrolet truck with a 500 gallon tank, and 29 volunteer members. But over the years the department expanded, and in 1961 the department moved to its current location to accommodate the additional firefighters and the overnight staff. After recent renovations, the department reopened their current station in 2011, and this state of the art facility is certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold building for its use of green technologies, making it the first of its kind among Fairfax County Government Buildings. The once one-truck department now has five emergency vehicles and was the first Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station to have four-wheel drive ambulances. And today there are 22 career firefighters on duty 24/7, and 40 volunteer members, serving in both operational and administrative roles.

In addition to their efforts to keep our community safe, the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department provides support at community events all over Fairfax County, including parades, festivals, and fundraisers, and throughout the years, the Great Falls community and its leaders have offered continuous assistance to the Department.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department for their years of selfless service and heroism and to again congratulate them on this historic milestone. I would like to personally express my gratitude to the men and women who selflessly put themselves in dangerous positions on behalf of their neighbors, friends, and community, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to use this time to honor my former boss and mentor, the Honorable Frank Wolf, who has dedicated much of his life to public service as he represented the people of Virginia's 10th Congressional District for 34 years.

Congressman Frank Wolf was at the forefront of many important issues for over three decades. He was a leader in bringing metro rail to Dulles and worked in a bipartisan manner on numerous transportation initiatives. He also assumed a leading role in addressing the mounting problem of gang violence in Northern Virginia and helped secure funding for the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force. And while he clearly played a crucial and prominent role in a variety of issues affecting the Commonwealth of Virginia, arguably, his most signature achievements have stemmed from his leadership on humanitarian issues abroad.

He has been a tireless and zealous crusader for oppressed religious minorities and was the conscience of the Congress on human rights and religious liberty. As co-chair of the bipartisan House Human Rights Caucus, Congressman Wolf made it his mission to be the voice of the voiceless and shed light upon the plight of millions of people persecuted because of their religion. Since departing from Congress, Mr. Wolf has continued to carry the torch of religious freedom, with his passionate advocacy, as he leads the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative to create a world where religious freedom is recognized by nations across the globe as a fundamental human right.

Congressman Wolf's efforts to raise awareness for the voiceless also extended to the innocent victims of human trafficking. In Congress, he worked with local elected officials and law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth in spearheading initiatives to eradicate human trafficking. He also took steps to educate the public about this largely unknown problem and increase community involvement in aiding the victims of these horrific crimes. In recognition of these valiant strides, he was selected as the 2014 Lifetime Pathbreaker Award recipient.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the legacy of Congressman Wolf, as we recognize his many contributions. We cannot thank him enough for services he provided to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to our country. I look forward to his continued contributions in promoting religious freedom and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Southwestern Youth Association (SYA), the Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) and an outstanding young woman, Tatum Bulger, whose collaborative efforts have made ``Lax for a Cause,'' a local, annual pre-season lacrosse tournament for charity, a tremendous success. This year, the event raised $22,000 for Special Love, a nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to children in the Mid-Atlantic region with cancer.

The tournament originated in 2014 when Damien LaRuffa, the Commissioner of SYA Lacrosse, Scott Stewart, the Vice Commissioner of SYA Lacrosse, and Chris Saben, the Commissioner of CYA Lacrosse, came together to brainstorm ideas for charitable sporting events in Northern Virginia. Since its inception, the annual event has been a tremendous success, previously donating proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Fisher House Foundation, and more. This year, Tatum Bulger, a sixth grader at Virginia Run Elementary School and avid lacrosse player, who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma last year, approached the organizers with the idea of donating the proceeds to Special Love, and the SYA and CYA immediately moved forward with the idea.

Tatum is truly a special and inspirational young woman. She has used her individual battle to benefit others and increase awareness about pediatric cancer. Additionally, as a member of the SYA Lady Warriors, she has maintained her commitment to her lacrosse team, attending weekly practices and games, and she has a unique and special impact on her teammates and friends.

Throughout the years, local sponsors and community members have covered the majority of the expenses for the all-day ``Lax for a Cause'' tournament, which has enabled a majority of the donations to go to charity. And while the event organizers were extremely satisfied with this year's event, they hope that other teams and youth organizations will host similar charity games or tournaments.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me as we recognize ``Lax for a Cause'' and the charitable efforts set forth by the SYA, the CYA, and Tatum Bulger. Dedicating their time and efforts to helping children and their families fight an unthinkable battle with cancer attests to their unselfish character and determination to better their community. I wish them all of the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the students, faculty, and Principal, Doug Fulton, of Freedom High School located in Loudoun County, Virginia, for their leadership and efforts to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer. For the second year in a row, Freedom High School will be forgoing a lavish, expensive prom and instead will be hosting the event in their cafeteria and gymnasium, where the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to pediatric cancer organizations.

Two years ago, Principal Fulton and several students saw an opportunity for the school to engage with their community and join the fight against childhood cancer when they learned about the Prom Challenge, an initiative set forth by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Through this initiative, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital provides schools with the tools needed to transform their normal prom events into pediatric cancer fundraisers.

Last spring marked the first time that Freedom High School partook in the challenge, and this unique event truly sparked interests and efforts of the entire student body, faculty, and community. When the decision was made to transform the school's cafeteria and gym into a dining room and ball room in an effort to save money on a venue, many students were at first skeptical and disappointed. Yet once they learned about the challenge, they became excited and very eager to raise money and awareness for the event. Additionally, the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel, the venue that had already been arranged for the event prior to the conception of this charity ball, generously returned the school its $5,000 deposit.

The theme of last year's prom was ``Hats on to Fight Pediatric Cancer,'' inspired by Ellie's Hats, a local charity in Loudoun County that provides hats to children who lose their hair during cancer treatments. To raise awareness students were asked to wear hats to the event, and some of the proceeds were in fact donated to this local organization. At the event, the food provided was all donated by Whole Foods and the National Conference Center, and the musical performers and photographers each volunteered their time. Lastly, the prom king and queen were not chosen by the student body, but they were instead selected based on who raised the most money in their name. Every final detail and moment of this event was thoroughly planned with the intent of assisting those with pediatric cancer, and ultimately, the event raised $48,000.

Mr. Speaker, while the students and faculty take great pride in last year's tremendous prom, they now hope to make this event a permanent tradition at Freedom High School and hope that other schools will follow their lead. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Freedom High School's students and faculty for their extraordinary work on last year's charity prom and their continuous efforts to champion this initiative. Dedicating their time and efforts to helping children and their families fight an unthinkable battle with cancer attests to their unselfish character and determination to better their community.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to use this time to recognize a local business on its 100th year in operation. Bergmann's Cleaning, whose main plant is located in Virginia's 10th District in Sterling, Virginia, provides a variety of cleaning services and is one of the oldest family-operated businesses in our region. Now managed by fourth generation family members, Bergmann's Cleaning is truly a staple in our community and region, and I commend the Bergmann family on their exemplary business practices and ability to adapt and grow throughout the years.

In 1917, W.C. Bergmann decided to supplement his income as a lamplighter in Washington, D.C. by starting a small laundry service, where he, with his horse drawn truck, would pick up the clothes of his customers, clean and press them, and then deliver them back to their homes. His services quickly gained recognition, and with the help of his sons, he opened the first Bergmann's Cleaning store within a year of starting the horse drawn truck business. The number of inner city stores increased, but many people were moving out to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and also required new services. Accordingly, Bergmann's Cleaning not only continued their convenient and free pick- up and delivery service, which garnered thousands of new customers in the D.C. suburbs, but also expanded its cleaning offerings to include clothing, rugs, draperies, linens and more.

Today, Bergmann's Cleaning's day-to-day operations are managed by E. Peter Bergmann, the President, and Larry M. Bergmann Jr., the Vice President of Sales and Operations. Under their leadership, the company has 20 efficient delivery and pick-up routes, ranging from Reston, Virginia, to Columbia, Maryland, and has a staff of 125 people, many of whom are constituents of Virginia's 10th District. In addition to the successful door-to-door service, Bergmann's Cleaners serves more than 25 hotels in our region, uses ecofriendly and biodegradable cleaning products, and is responsible for the most successful annual coat drive in the nation. In fact now in its 17th year, the annual ``Share the Warmth, Coats for Kids and the Needy'' drive has delivered nearly 500,000 coats to those less fortunate.

In today's society, family owned businesses are essential to the future of our nation. It is families, like the Bergmanns, who help foster strong local economies by establishing successful business practices that can be carried out for multiple generations. While the services provided have changed and expanded over the years, the entrepreneurial attitude of the Bergmann family and common goal of serving their community has remained the same.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Bergmann's Cleaning for its dedication to serving our community for 100 years. I wish E. Peter Bergmann, Larry M. Bergmann, Jr., and the entire company the best in their future endeavors.