Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Breaux Vineyards of Purcellville, Virginia on the occasion of its 20th Anniversary celebration.

Situated on a 404-acre estate overlooking the beautiful valley between the Blue Ridge and Short Hill Mountains, Breaux Vineyards has for several years been voted Virginia's favorite winery because of its absolute commitment to excellence in the wines it produces and the hospitality that it extends to all of its guests.

Breaux Vineyards wines have a superior international reputation, having placed among the winners in more than 100 regional, national, and international competitions.

While Breaux Vineyards is also recognized as a first-rate venue for weddings and corporate meetings, I am grateful that the warm hospitality of the Breaux family and staff daily extends to my constituents residing in Loudoun County and northern Virginia. Often using the expression ``No reservation or RSVP required,'' the vineyard invites local people and visiting tourists, including children and pets, to regularly enjoy the diverse events that take place there each year, including the Fourth Fridays activities that feature live entertainment, the annual Dog Day celebration, the Cajun Festival that is in its 20th year, and other regularly scheduled events. In addition, Breaux Vineyards offers itself as a venue for various local charity events, including the 3rd Annual Corks for a Cause that on May 19th of this year will be benefitting the Loudoun Child Advocacy Center, a program of the Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter.

I am pleased to report that the wine industry in Virginia has grown so rapidly that the Commonwealth is now the fifth largest state for viticulture in the nation, with annual sales of close to $1 billion. I am also pleased that Loudoun County has contributed to this success as the location of 44 of Virginia's 280 wineries, the most of any county in the Commonwealth, and that Breaux Vineyards, through its commitment to the quality of its wines and its hospitality, has been an extraordinary leader in our wine industry.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Breaux Vineyards for reaching this 20 year milestone and wish CEO Paul Breaux, Jr., Vice President Jennifer Breaux, and the entire Breaux Vineyard team continued phenomenal success in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Grand Opening of the new Sterling Library. This new branch, located in the heart of Sterling, Virginia is nearly three times the size of the former library and includes state-of-the-art facilities, increased access to computers, and the most up to date technology and resources, such as 3D printers, recording studios, and books offered in multiple languages. I take great pride knowing this state-of-the-art facility is opening in Virginia's Tenth District, and I am very thankful for the broad range of learning opportunities it will afford my constituents.

Since the mid-1970s the Sterling Library has been a vital part of the community's steady development, but the old building could no longer support the everyday needs of the community. According to the Director of Loudoun County Public Library, Chang Liu, community input played a crucial role in the plans for this library. Residents were very engaged during the planning and design processes, and the new elements, such as the high-tech workspaces and the unique teen area, coupled with the tremendous amount of space offered in the new library, better suit the current needs of the growing Sterling community.

This project is part of the broader Sterling Public Facilities Master Plan, which was approved in a referendum in 2014. In addition to the library, the plan calls for the expansion of the Sterling Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station and the renovation and expansion of the Sterling Community Center into the former library space. The opening of the new library marks the first step in what will be an exciting period of innovation in Sterling.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues join me in applauding the Grand Opening of the new Sterling Library. I look forward to the impact it will have on the children, teenagers, and adults of Sterling and our Commonwealth as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to use this time to recognize the 10th anniversary of the Dominion Woman's Club (DWC) in Virginia's 10th District. The DWC is a member and volunteer organization that focuses on enhancing our community and advocating for important issues--such as performing arts, education, leadership, hospitality, and conservation--through volunteer service in both Prince William and Fauquier Counties.

The DWC was founded in 2007 under the guidance of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Virginia (GFWC-VA). The GFWC-VA, founded in 1890, focuses on promoting culture and education, increasing domestic abuse awareness, and also establishing smaller, local clubs across Virginia. The

DWC's first President was Nanette McKeel Petrella, and many current members credit the club's early success to her leadership and vision.

Today the DWC supports a wide variety of organizations and groups across Prince William and Fauquier Counties, including Bull Run Mountain Conservancy, the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry, Haymarket Elementary School, and more. The members of the club come from many different backgrounds, including teachers, counselors, professional moms, and women involved in various other volunteer organizations in their community, and while their levels of participation and interests may vary, they each share the common goal of serving their community and empowering one another.

The club's current co-Presidents, Susan Sivori and Celeste Corrigan, have been members of the DWC for a combined 16 years--a true testament to their dedication to our community and helping others. Under their leadership in 2016, the club participated in 49 volunteer programs, contributed 2,746 volunteer hours, and donated over $7,000 to local groups and organizations and over $24,000 in in-kind donations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the Dominion Woman's Club for its dedication to serving our community for the past 10 years. I wish Ms. Sivori, Ms. Corrigan, and the entire organization the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share with you and our colleagues the news of an infusion of economic vitality in Virginia's 10th Congressional District. On Tuesday, April 18th, Mopar, the service, parts and customer-care brand of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, will have celebrated the Grand Opening of a 400,000-plus square foot parts distribution center outside of Winchester, in the northern Shenandoah Valley. When fully operational this November, Mopar will have hired 70 workers who, each year, will be shipping 9.2 million auto parts to a couple hundred dealerships in the mid-Atlantic region. Mopar has signed a 15-year lease with Equus Capital Partners and will invest $12.2 million into equipment for the facility.

First introduced as the name of a line of antifreeze products in 1937, the Mopar brand, which comes from a contraction of the words ``motor parts,'' celebrates 80 years of a significant transformation that today encompasses total service, parts and customer care for Fiat Chrysler Automobile owners around the globe.

The choice of Frederick County, Virginia is an ideal location for Mopar in fulfilling its goal of better and more efficiently servicing Mid-Atlantic regional dealers. Located at the mid-point of the East Coast, Mopar will be able to move product in and out of Frederick County with ease via multiple highways, including Interstates 81 and 66. Frederick County's pro-business tax structure and important workforce development initiatives have led to the county being recognized as among the top 10 percent of all Virginia localities for new job creation and top 15 percent for capital investment over the past decade. In fact, Forbes lists Frederick County and the greater Winchester region as among the top 20 ``best small places for business and careers'' in the nation.

The quality of the workforce is a critically important consideration of companies as they make decisions about where to locate their operations and I am proud of my constituents in the northern Shenandoah Valley for being the hard working, well-educated workforce that attracts employers to the area.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Mopar, for 80 years of success and for hiring American workers to distribute automobile parts to customers around the nation, including an additional 70 workers who will be hired at the newly established distribution center in Frederick County, Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Greater Manassas Baseball League and express gratitude to all those that have contributed both to the success of this volunteer organization and to the development of the youth of Manassas and Prince William County.

In spring of 1957, the league was established with only 4 teams-- Manassas Lumber, Mifco (Manassas Ice and Fuel Company), Merchant's Firestone, and Martin Chevrolet--also known as ``The Four M's.'' Each team was fully sponsored by local businesses, which contributed greatly to the community feel of this small-town little league. In fact, Mifco, after 60 years, remains a proud sponsor of the league. In 1978, the late Harry J. Parrish, who was then mayor of Manassas, and Caton Merchant spearheaded the efforts to expand the league, renaming it The Greater Manassas Baseball League. Then in 1981, IBM donated land to the City of Manassas for the construction of a baseball complex. The league today, under the leadership of President Kevin Jennings, consists of nearly 75 teams across all age groups, hosts a variety of fundraisers and events, and still uses the original baseball complex constructed in 1981.

I owe a great debt of gratitude to the Manassas community, local businesses, parents, and coaches for supporting the league throughout the course of its 60-year existence. Today, the league affords many of my young constituents the opportunity to learn the values of confidence and positive character through the various lessons taught in baseball and softball. Sports not only promote healthy living and foster personal growth, but they also are an excellent way to engage with our youth.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues join me in thanking the Greater Manassas Baseball League and its current President, Kevin Jennings, for their commitment to the youth of Manassas. I wish Mr. Jennings, the rest of the Board of Directors, parents, coaches, and all of the little-leaguers the best in their collaborative efforts and future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the life of Mr. Kevin Lee Frye, who passed away on March 23, 2017 at the age of 53. Throughout his life, Mr. Frye was a respected leader in our community and an exemplary Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician in both Prince William County and the City of Manassas. His dedicated service helped keep the people of Virginia's Tenth District safe for over thirty years, and he will always be remembered.

Mr. Frye began his career of service in 1983 with the Buckhall Volunteer Fire Department, Company 16, which is located in Manassas, Virginia. It was here where he held the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, and Assistant Chief, In October of 1989, Mr. Frye joined the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department that both cooperates and coordinates with the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company and the Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad.

He honorably served the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department for over 25 years, holding the rank of Lieutenant and also serving on the Health and Safety Committee. During this time he also served as the department's Training Officer, cultivating a rising generation of new service members that will carry on his legacy of dedication as they continue their careers with Mr. Frye's counsel always in mind. He always displayed both determination and dedication and continued his training and mentorship of other Firefighters and EMT's even while battling cancer. Through his long and impressive career Mr. Frye became one of the most respected, senior firefighters in the entire department, and his memory will always be present as a true inspiration to both the department and our local community.

In addition to his selfless legacy and career of service, Mr. Frye enjoyed fishing, completing home projects, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Stacy, and his two sons, Zachary and Tyler. He will be missed by the countless lives he has touched over his years of public service.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate the sixth grade students of Blue Ridge Middle School located in Loudoun County, Virginia and the adults who worked with them, in creating an extraordinarily successful One to the World Project, recently.

Through the Loudoun County Public Schools' One to the World Project, students have an opportunity to work on a challenging societal problem using critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity to make a difference in addressing or alleviating the problem.

Students and faculty at Blue Ridge Middle School, as well as the staff at Mobile Hope of Loudoun and their Executive Director, Donna Fortier, devoted countless hours to this project and truly went above and beyond what could have been expected and I am proud of their collective efforts and generosity.

The students decided to address the problem of homelessness and made arrangements to partner with Mobile Hope of Loudoun to deliver items of support to them. As soon as the partnership arrangement was made, the sixth graders of Blue Ridge Middle School enthusiastically began to work on a variety of videos, posters, brochures, and presentations in order to raise awareness for their project and to solicit donations. Impressively, the students received over 1,400 donations, ranging from clothing to household cleaning products, and diapers to canned foods.

The project concluded with a visit and speech from Donna Fortier, whose direction and leadership truly guided the students. Not only were they able to see firsthand how local organizations like Mobile Hope of Loudoun can help those in need, but they also learned the value of being charitable.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Blue Ridge Middle School's sixth graders, the school's faculty, and Ms. Fortier for their extraordinary work on this project. Dedicating their time and efforts to helping those less fortunate attests to their unselfish character and determination to better their community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 60th anniversary of the desegregation of the Purcellville Library and to express gratitude for all those people of good will who helped bring about the change. On April 9, 1957, the Purcellville Public Library opened its doors to African-American patrons, and on April 8, 2017, the community of Purcellville celebrated this important historical milestone with a series of informational programs and exhibits describing the Civil Rights heritage of western Loudoun.

It is clear that we all owe a great debt of gratitude for the courage and tenacity of two residents of Purcellville, Samuel Cardoza Murray and his wife, Josie Cook Murray, who had a very successful upholstery business in the town. Around Christmas, 1956, the Murrays went to the Purcellville Library to do some research on ornate Austrian shades for a window in a customer's home and were shocked when they were denied the opportunity to take out books that they needed. That incident began a several month struggle by the Murrays to challenge the library's segregation policy.

The Murrays' struggle included being rebuffed by several attorneys, and experiencing various other forms of personal harassment. Although the financial well-being of the library played a role, a positive side of the controversy was the sentiment of the residents of Loudoun revealed in a petition and counter-petition that were collected; Those petitioning to keep the library segregated got 44 signatures and those willing to integrate the library had 366 signatures, which was eight times the number of the pro-segregation group. The integration of Purcellville Library has great historical significance as one of the first victories in the civil rights movement in Loudoun County.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Samuel Cardoza Murray and Josie Cook Murray for their commitment to make sure that all young minds will be nurtured in our libraries, in our schools, and in our homes.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize my constituent, Krissy Green, for her devotion to United States military service members both here and abroad. Ms. Green, along with her mother, Suni Chabrow, founded the Douglas J. Green Memorial Foundation in honor of her brother, Specialist Douglas J. Green, who was killed in the line of duty in 2011. The Douglas J. Green Memorial Foundation is an all- volunteer, non-profit organization that has been dedicated to providing comfort and support for military service members through the shipment of care packages since 2011 and planning memorable experiences for service members to look forward to once they return from deployments.

Specialist Douglas J. Green enlisted in the United States Army in 2007 shortly after graduating from Potomac Falls High School in Virginia's Tenth District and served two tours of duty in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. It was in his second tour in Afghanistan that Specialist Green made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Specialist Green was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with a Combat V, a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge for his distinguished and honorable service. He is remembered not only for his bravery, but also for his generosity and smile.

While on deployment, Specialist Green's family fondly recalled his appreciation of receiving care packages from his family and friends. He always enjoyed sharing care packages with his fellow service men and women, and, with this in mind, his mother and sister started the Douglas J. Green Memorial Foundation.

As the Director of Activities for the Greater Virginia/District of Columbia region, Krissy Green maintains her brother's legacy by sending care packages to troops, many of whom were friends of her brother. Ms. Green has established partnerships with local businesses and organizations in Virginia's Tenth District, such as Soldier Fit in Sterling, Virginia, to host events to put together, care packages. Her efforts have allowed for her brother to be remembered and celebrated, and these efforts have bettered the lives of hundreds of troops overseas.

Since 2011, the Douglas J. Green Memorial Foundation has continuously helped service men and women around the world, and I am grateful the organization holds many of its events in my district. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Krissy Green and the Douglas J. Green Memorial Foundation for its dedication to serving our nation and honoring the life of Specialist Douglas J. Green. I wish Krissy Green, Suni Chabrow, and the entire organization the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a boys' basketball team from Loudoun Valley High School, in our Tenth Congressional District, who recently won the 4A State Championship. Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance, along with guidance and direction of head coach, Chad Dawson and assistant head coach, Josh Mallory, helped earn their school's boys' basketball program its first state championship title.

The Loudoun Valley Vikings opened the state tournament with an impressive 83-61 win over the 2016 state champions, the Monacan Chiefs of Chesterfield, in the quarterfinals. The Vikings then prevailed over the George Washington Eagles of Danville in the semifinals. The game was initially close as the Vikings were only leading by eight points at the end of the first half, but they persevered as their endurance led the Vikings to yet another victory. In the state championship game, the Vikings faced the Eagles of Jamestown City County who entered the game with a remarkable 27-3 record for the season. While the Eagles were a formidable opponent and should be applauded for their effort, the Vikings handily won the game as the skills that their coaches instilled in them shined from start to finish. The Viking's championship victory marked the conclusion of an impressive 30-1 team record for the season. We are all proud of these young men and their coaches.

Loudoun Valley High School's basketball team, their coaching and athletic training staff as well as School Athletic Director, Kris Kelican, have made Loudoun County and Virginia's Tenth Congressional District proud. Winning a state championship is an extraordinary achievement and it attests to the team's noteworthy athletic talent, laudable work ethic, commitment to teamwork, tireless dedication, and determination to succeed. I also want to commend the Vikings' excellent coaching staff, as without their mentorship this would not have been possible. The Loudoun Valley basketball program has certainly earned this distinct honor, and the leadership that sports instill and the sportsmanship these young men have acquired in their athletic student careers will valuably serve them in their future academic endeavors and dedication to athletics.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Loudoun Valley Vikings on winning the 4A State Championship and representing Virginia's Tenth Congressional District with such distinction. I am proud to represent these students and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Police Chief Kevin Sanzenbacher of the City of Winchester which is located in the 10th Congressional District of Virginia, and, as he nears retirement, ask that our colleagues join me in thanking him for his extraordinary service to the Winchester community and to our nation. After spending most of his career in various public safety positions in Maryland, Kevin Sanzenbacher became the Chief of Police of the City of Winchester in November of 2008, and in eight remarkable years, he has led the department to a new level of public service and professionalism.

As a strong advocate of community policing, Chief Sanzenbacher set the example for his officers by constantly being a part of the community, extending himself beyond what would be expected of a police chief by taking on responsible roles in charitable organizations such as the United Way and participating in community meetings to learn from average citizens how they and the police could work together to make their neighborhoods more safe. As a proactive leader, Chief Sanzenbacher also implemented a Teen Night at the Youth Development Center and a Teen Citizen's Academy to develop a closer bond between law enforcement and young people and give them a good place to spend some time each week. He also responded to society's challenge of dealing with the mentally ill, by assigning officers to the City's award-winning Community Response Team that has developed personal relationships of trust with the mentally ill citizens of the city.

In response to the devastating impact of the heroin epidemic, Chief Sanzenbacher organized a variety of informational meetings about the epidemic, including one that I requested, and played a leading role in establishing the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition and the Drug Court that has followed. He also took action to establish a partnership with the local chapter of the NAACP to deal with a police incident that divided the community and to develop greater long-term harmony among various racial groups.

As a champion of greater professionalism for his officers, Chief Sanzenbacher led the effort to attain accreditation by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice in 2009 and to be reaccredited in 2013; he took the lead in forming the first Winchester Police Department Honor Guard in 2014; he implemented a standardized fitness testing program for all sworn officers through which all were declared ``fit for duty''; he managed to obtain a grant for the purchase of body-worn cameras and he created defensive tactics training and fitness rooms for the employees of the Department. In 2009, Chief Sanzenbacher, Jim Wilkins, Jr. and other community leaders started the Winchester/ Frederick County Law Enforcement Foundation in order to provide funding for National Night Out, Kids and Cops Camp, law enforcement training and scholarships for worthy students.

Chief Sanzenbacher is the first to acknowledge that his many accomplishments were the result of efforts of his entire team of capable, energetic professionals, yet, despite his self-effacing humility, there is no doubt that it took his special quality of leadership to accomplish these things. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in honoring and thanking Police Chief Kevin Sanzenbacher for his extraordinary contributions to the City of Winchester and to our nation, and in wishing him and his wife, Estelle, great success and happiness in the next chapter of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 75th anniversary of the Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, Inc. in Frederick County, Virginia. Established in April of 1942, the Company formed in response to a devastating fire that nearly destroyed an entire block in Middletown, including the land where the Fire Station stands today. The original membership of the Company of a mere twenty-two has nearly tripled over the past 75 years. I would like to personally commend the courageous men and women who so selflessly volunteer their time and put themselves in danger on behalf of their neighbors, friends, and strangers, without asking for anything in return.

Through both exemplary leadership and community support, the Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company has grown exponentially since its inception in 1942. Under the longtime leadership of Fire Chief Emeritus Henry Shiley, who only recently retired after 53 years of service, the Company transformed into a full-service emergency relief unit, and I have great confidence that the Company will continue to prosper under Chief Mark Dalton. Additionally, one support organization that has contributed to the growth of the Company immensely is the Lady Auxiliary, which formed in 1943 with the intention of providing both financial and moral support to the Company. Over the years, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through community events and fundraisers, and their service to the Company is invaluable.

Today the Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, which in 1942 only had one firetruck, is now a full service Company that protects the lives and properties of individuals from fires, accidents, illnesses and other emergencies in the Town of Middletown, Frederick County, and the surrounding vicinity.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, Inc. for their years of selfless service and heroism and to again congratulate them on this tremendous milestone. I wish them all the best in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to share with you and our colleagues, the establishment of a long-term relationship between a stellar national company, the American Woodmark Corporation, and Frederick County, which surrounds the City of Winchester, in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. The American Woodmark Corporation, a leading manufacturer of quality kitchen and bath cabinets with over 5,000 employees nationwide, has decided to invest $30 million to build a new national corporate headquarters in Frederick County, in the 10th Congressional District of Virginia.

The project will bring its corporate employees together from four leased sites in the Winchester area to a central corporate office, strengthening interpersonal connections and driving greater efficiency in the company's day-to-day operations. The consolidation will mean that all 377 positions will be retained and that 55 new positions will eventually be created.

There was strong competition for American Woodmark's investment, and I want to acknowledge the hard work of Frederick County officials Patrick Barker of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority and his staff, as well as Chairman Chuck DeHaven and members of the Board of Supervisors, in working with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to secure a $550,000 grant from the Commonwealth's Opportunity Fund and for providing a $350,000 economic development grant from Frederick County.

In addition to the financial incentives and a very hospitable business environment, the extraordinary quality of life in the Northern Shenandoah Valley clearly played a role in American Woodmark's decision. Emanating from its agrarian roots, the Valley's friendly, caring culture causes charitable organizations to thrive and those less fortunate to be well cared for. The Valley's quality of life is further enhanced by great schools and libraries, a first rate regional health care system, and cultural variety that includes civil war battlefields, national parks and museums, as well as a university conservatory that is welcoming to the community. In fact, Forbes has ranked the Northern Shenandoah Valley in its top 20 ``Best Small Places for Business and Careers'' in the nation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in congratulating and thanking Cary Dunston, president and CEO of American Woodmark, and its Board of Directors, on choosing to establish its central corporate office in Frederick County and in wishing the corporation great success in all of its future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the John Champe High School Wind Ensemble on participating in the 2017 Music for All National Festival. Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance, along with the guidance and direction of their esteemed band director, Jonathan Phillips, helped earn John Champe High School its first appearance in the Music for All National Festival.

The Music for All is one of the nation's largest and most influential organizations, and only a mere 59 high school and middle school concert band and percussion ensembles from across the nation were selected to perform at the 2017 festival. Despite the fact that the John Champe High School Wind Ensemble is still in its nascent, as John Champe High School only opened in Aldie, Virginia, in 2012, they have the honor and unique distinction of being the first ensemble from Loudoun County to be invited to perform at this festival. Furthermore, in five years, the band program at John Champe has blossomed from 26 students who were in the inaugural marching band in 2012 to 230 students today. The John Champe Knights have also earned the distinction of Virginia Honor Band three times and 19 students successfully auditioned into the All- District Band this year.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the John Champe High School Wind Ensemble on participating in the 2017 Music for All National Festival. I am proud to represent these students and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend my constituent, Reginald ``Reggie'' Simms, on his exhibit in the Purcellville Art Council's Black History Month Celebration, located at the historic Purcellville Train Station. Mr. Simms, now retired, dedicated his career to the arts, while also maintaining a deep love for African American history, and is deserving of this unique recognition.

As a child and teenager, Mr. Simms attended Carver Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia and Douglas High School in Leesburg, Virginia, both historic African American schools in Northern Virginia. During his youth, segregation prevented him from using public libraries and local resources, but he was able to obtain copies of National Geographic magazines. These magazines created a new lens through which Mr. Simms understood and viewed the world around him and also sparked his interest in art--specifically photo realism.

After attending the National Art School in Washington, D.C., he entered the Air Force at the age of 21 where he was stationed in Korea. After his time in the Air Force, Mr. Simms moved to New York where he took classes at Newark Fine Industrial Arts and also worked for a slew of graphic design and silkscreen companies. Finally, it was a position in the graphics department of the Washington Metro that brought Mr. Simms and his wife, Marion, back to Loudoun County, and he has lived at his home in Purcellville, Virginia ever since.

It is important to note that throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Simms never lost sight of his love for art or appreciation for history. At his home, his finished basement, which doubles as his studio, is filled with water color paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, refurbished toys, and more, which he has painted, sculpted, and collected for years. Last month's exhibit was a compilation of his artistic works, books, and memorabilia which he and his brother, Larry, have obtained over the years. To this day, Mr. Simms enjoys painting his favorite National Geographic covers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Reginald Simms for his impressive career, dedication to the African American community, and his most recent exhibit in Purcellville, Virginia. I wish him, his wife, Marion, and their family the best in all of their future endeavors.