Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor my constituent and Rock Ridge High School's very own, Erin Hughes, for her impressive academic achievements and volunteer work.

Over the last 3 years, Erin has volunteered over 100 hours between Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School and Legacy Elementary School through both Educators Rising and the National Honor Society. As a mentor to these young students, she teaches them basic studying skills, helps them prepare for exams, and works with them to strengthen their reading and writing abilities.

Recently, Erin received the Virginia State Conference Educators Rising award for Lesson Planning: Delivery of the Arts. This is a true testament to the interest Erin has taken for education at a young age. In addition to this achievement, Erin has been a member of the National Honor Society throughout high school, which requires maintaining a very competitive grade point average. In college, Erin hopes to study elementary education in the hopes of acquiring a teaching job at an elementary school in Loudoun County.

Coming from a family of educators, I appreciate the invaluable role that educators play in inspiring our students and communities. The work Erin has done, and continues to do at Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School and Legacy Elementary School, will inspire and shape the lives of countless young men and women for decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Erin for her achievements and dedication to education. The interest she has taken at a young age is impressive, and I wish her all of the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to use this time to recognize a local non-profit organization in Virginia's 10th Congressional District that has strengthened our Loudoun community for over 30 years by helping families in need. The Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter (LAWS), founded in 1984 under the name Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice, Inc., opened as a shelter where women and children fleeing domestic violence could find refuge. Since then, LAWS has grown immensely and now provides a plethora of different services to victims of sexual and domestic violence.

Aside from providing emergency shelter, LAWS now also offers counseling, a 24-hour hotline, legal services, support groups, community outreach, and even operates a thrift store in Leesburg called the Resourceful Woman. LAWS now has 30 employees, 75 volunteers, and a diverse Board of Directors, led by my constituent Nicole Acosta, from Purcellville, Virginia, all dedicated to eliminating personal and societal violence. Ms. Acosta started as a volunteer many years ago and her vision and dedication led to her employment by the organization in 2012 as the Executive Director. Since joining the board, she has championed efforts to not only expand the organization but also enhance its governance and oversight operations to the great benefit of Loudoun County.

In 1984, three women founded LAWS with a total of $3,000 of donations, but today the organization, hosting several annual fundraisers and events, has morphed into a multi-million dollar non- profit. One reoccurring event which has garnered a great deal of popularity as a result of diligent staff and volunteering planning is the yearly Martini Matters event. It is fun, forward thinking community events, like Martini Matters, that have helped the organization thrive tremendously over the years.

Each year LAWS helps over 1,000 women and children lead better lives without fear and anxiety through their various services, and I am grateful to have such a prominent and resourceful organization in the 10th district. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding LAWS for its dedication to serving our community for so many years. I wish Ms. Acosta and the entire organization the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate my constituent, Derrick Crandall, on receiving the American Recreation Coalition's Corps Champion Award. Mr. Crandall has diligently supported efforts to bolster the outdoor economy and recreation opportunities for all, including our youth.

Since 1981, Mr. Crandall has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Recreation Coalition. The Washington- based nonprofit organization aims to enhance and preserve outdoor recreational opportunities and protect environmental resources. Upon joining the organization, Mr. Crandall quickly became the national voice of outdoor recreation. He has played an important role in dozens of public policy programs including the National Scenic Byways Program, Recreation Fee Demonstration Program, Recreational Trails Program, Wallop-Breaux Program, and the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission.

Mr. Crandall's efforts have been recognized in many respects. He has received several national awards and recognitions such as induction into the RV Hall of Fame, the receipt of the Annual Award of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and the Chevron Conservation Award. Additionally, he has served as the Chairman of the Take Pride America Advisory Board and as a Founding Director of the National Forest Foundation; in each role he was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture respectively.

His dedication to improving and preserving outdoor recreational activities is evident through his illustrious career of dedication and accomplishments. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Mr. Crandall on receiving the American Recreation Coalition's Corps Champion Award. It is a privilege to represent him and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to honor the life of Reverend Lee Won Sang, a Pastor Emeritus of the Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Virginia's 10th District. Throughout his life, Rev. Lee was a respected leader in the community, served with admiral purpose, and placed a strong importance on education.

Rev. Lee was born in Manchuria, China in 1937. He began his higher education and path to service by earning a bachelor's degree in Theology from Keimyung University and a master's degree in Theology from Kyungbuk University. In the early 1970s, he moved to the United States to further his education, where he attended the Dallas Theological Seminary to study the Old Testament. After

graduating from that program, he started working for the Korean Central Presbyterian Church, but also was pursuing a Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. After retiring, he went on to receive a Ph.D. from the University of Wales in the U.K. at the age of 72, a true testament to the importance Rev. Lee placed on continuous education and growth.

Outside of his education, Rev. Lee is known for his 23 years of work and leadership at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Centreville, Virginia where I have frequently visited. The congregation has grown to almost 9,000 members at its main location, many of whom are my 10th District constituents. In addition to his work at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church, Rev. Lee took on many other projects to advance the church globally and help within his community. He founded the Central Missionary Fellowship (CMF) in 1988, which later evolved into SEED International, an organization which helped establish 12 overseas missionary groups. SEED International was the first Korean Missionary organization to become a member of the Mission NEXUS organization. Additionally, Rev. Lee founded Prassion, which is a SEED International affiliate and independent mission organization focused on prayer movement nationally and internationally.

In Washington, D.C., Rev. Lee helped establish the Washington Youth Foundation and even was afforded the opportunity to lead the opening prayer for the 107th U.S. Congress on October 10, 2002.

Mr. Speaker, I now ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Rev. Lee's years of community service. Today, we honor and celebrate the contributions the Reverend has made not just within the 10th District, but on a global level.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and commend my constituents, Todd and Aimee Henkle, on their victory in the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This win not only speaks to the hard work, entrepreneurship and expertise of Todd and Aimee Henkle, but also the growing and transforming Virginia wine industry.

In 1998 the two visited Bordeaux, France for their honeymoon, where they decided that one day they wanted to own their very own winery and vineyard. In 2007, corporate jobs brought them to northern Virginia, and they quickly became very impressed with what DC's Wine County had to offer. In 2012, they had an opportunity to buy a plot of land in Leesburg, between Route 15 and the Potomac River, from an old vineyard owner, and with Todd's business background and Aimee's passion for wine, The Vineyard and Winery at Lost Creek was born.

Since opening five years ago, their hard work has certainly come to fruition. They have been recognized nationally and most recently

have won the Best in Class in the chardonnays priced between $26 and $29.99 category with their wine, Lost Creek Reserve Chardonnay.

In today's society, family owned small businesses are crucial to the future of our nation and my constituents in the 10th District are proud they call Loudoun County their home. It is families like the Henkles that help foster strong, local economies by establishing successful business practices that can be carried out for multiple generations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Todd and Aimee Henkle on their great accomplishment and successful small business. I wish Todd, Aimee, and their children, Evan and Ryan, the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge my constituent, the Honorable Roger Vance, Mayor of the Town of Hillsboro, Vice Mayor Steve Morgart, Council Member at Large John Dean, Council Member at Large Joseph Gertig, Council Member at Large Amy Newton Marasco, Council Member at Large Matt Parse, and the Town Clerk, Sherry Vance on their historic boundary line expansion. Not only did this expansion triple the town's size from 55 to 171 acres and increase the population from 80 to 115 residents, but it also created more economic opportunity, improved walkability, and added businesses and neighbors that have long considered themselves residents of Hillsboro.

Hillsboro, located in Western Loudoun County, was first settled in the mid-1750s by a small group of Quakers as a milling town. Given the town's location and its position on the Short Hill Mountain formed by the North Fork of Catoctin Creek, the small group of houses and mills became known as the Gap, a term still widely used today. After many years of growth and development, the Gap became an incorporated town in 1802 called Hillsborough. Many years later in 1893, the name was shortened to Hillsboro.

Thanks to the work of Mayor Vance and the Town Council, today Hillsboro is among the best-preserved rural towns in the country, and with this successful expansion the town will be able to expand and improve the historic area. This improvement, along with the town's ongoing initiatives to increase economic opportunity, will help build a sustainable future for Loudoun County (careful we have other rural towns in Loudoun).

Mr. Speaker, I now ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the Town of Hillsboro, Mayor Roger Vance, Vice Mayor Steve Morgart, Council Member at Large John Dean, Council Member at Large Joseph Gertig, Council Member at Large Amy Newton Marasco, Council Member at Large Matt Parse, and the Town Clerk, Sherry Vance on the historic boundary line expansion. Today, we honor and celebrate the town's history as one of Loudoun County's most important assets.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Briar Woods High School's very own Ved Vengsarker on achieving a perfect score on the American College Test (ACT)--a respected college admissions test in the United States. Ved, now a high school junior, began studying diligently last summer in preparation, reviewing his ACT books during the week and taking several practice tests each weekend. His perfect score is not only a testament to his hard work and dedication, but also the exemplary teachers and faculty at Briar Woods High School located in Ashburn, Virginia who helped cultivate Ved's intellectual intrigue.

Each year less than one-tenth of a percent of the ACT test-taking population receive a perfect score. Ved is a self-driven individual who understands the need to prepare early and continue practicing until you achieve your goal. It is young, hardworking students like Ved who will help Loudoun County, Virginia's 10th District, and even the United States grow tremendously in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Ved Vengsarker for achieving a perfect score on the ACT test. It is a privilege to represent him, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize my constituents of the Short Hill Historical Society, formerly the Hillsboro Community Association (HCA), for their preservation and restoration efforts in one of the oldest, historic cities in Virginia's 10th District-- Hillsboro, Virginia.

Over 40 years ago, the Old Stone School in Hillsboro was saved from being demolished by the HCA, a non-profit comprised of area residents and alumni. Since 1976, the HCA has made it their mission to preserve and restore the Old Stone School and to identify and restore other historic landmarks in the Hillsboro area. More recently, the organization began to operate under the name Friends of the Old Stone School, as they placed an even stronger focus on the landmark building. In 2006, the town government took over full management of the building from the HCA.

Now with the school in good hands, the HCA, under the new name, the Short Hill Historical Society, is planning to expand their restoration efforts immensely. The group contributed an estimated $15,000 worth of furniture and equipment to the school and also provided over $19,000 for management and operations.

This year, the Short Hill Historical Society has planned a plethora of events and concerts to raise money and also garner support for new restoration projects. It is strong, community-focused groups, like the Short Hill Historical Society, that will help Western Loudoun County retain its rich history, and I look forward to their future projects and endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Short Hill Historical Society for their years of dedication and hard work. I wish them all of the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge my constituent, Mr. John S. Sedlak, who will be departing from his position as Technical Advisor in the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance this month after a 20-year career of distinguished public service. Mr. Sedlak has made tremendous contributions to his community and country as both an active duty serviceman in the U.S. Coast Guard and as a civilian employee.

Mr. Sedlak graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1974, beginning a long career in active duty service that included assignments to a Coast Guard Cutter, multiple Marine Safety Offices, and a Staff Engineer position at the Coast Guard Headquarters. After serving as Staff Engineer, Mr. Sedlak earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Naval Post Graduate School of Monterey, California and served his final tour of active duty as the Electrical Branch Chief handling operations at the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center.

Following his departure from active duty service, Mr. Sedlak assumed his current position as Technical Advisor in the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance in 2002. As one of only three Technical Advisors in CVC and an internationally recognized expert in his field, Mr. Sedlak developed national policy in a number of passenger ships and offshore vessel areas. While developing these policies, Mr. Sedlak routinely collaborated with other Federal Agencies and represented the Coast

Guard in international meetings and conferences.

Mr. Sedlak has been an integral member of the U.S. Coast Guard throughout his career, and his contributions in both active duty service and as a civilian employee are greatly appreciated by all members of the district and community.

At this moment, Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in extending our sincerest thanks to Mr. Sedlak for his service to our nation and all the work he has done for the CVC.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize a local business in Virginia's 10th Congressional District that will be closing their doors this year after over six decades of service. Burns Brothers Cleaners, the landmark cleaners and laundromat located in downtown McLean, Virginia, has served the community for the past 67 years and is one of the oldest family-operated businesses in the area. Since founding the mom-and-pop shop in 1949, Don and Bob Burns have been exemplary small business owners and operators.

Before opening Burns Brothers Cleaners, Don Burns worked in several different dry cleaning establishments where he learned the trade and also gained a valuable customer service skillset. Since opening, Don's customer-first attitude helped yield diverse and high-profile clients ranging from U.S. Cabinet Members to local shopkeepers. Yet despite some important clientele, the business never lost sight of its origins and the core values of a family-owned small business. In fact today, Amy Burns, one of Don's daughters, manages and operates the cleaners as her father once did.

In today's society, family owned small businesses are an essential player to the future of our nation. It is families like the Burns family that help foster strong local economies by establishing successful business practices that can be carried out for multiple generations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the Burns Brothers Cleaners for its dedication to serving our community for so many years. I wish Don, Amy, and the rest of the Burns family the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a school in my District who was recently crowned as state champion in volleyball. The Loudoun County High School Raiders Volleyball team, led by Athletic Director Bruce Sheppard, Head Coach Sherrilyn Hanna, and Assistant Coaches Juliane Hanna, Cayla Hamrick, and Amy Ging, was one of several teams who won state titles in a variety of sports from Virginia's 10th Congressional District. I am proud of their hard work in achieving this goal. They practiced long hours as a team, and this extraordinary achievement shows how far dedication, hard work, and commitment to teamwork can take a group as they played against some of the best competition in the nation.

The state final brought perhaps the biggest challenge of the season, as the Raiders faced the Jamestown Eagles, a team they had played in the state final three times in the last four years; a team that was returning all starters but their libero from last year's state runner- up squad. After dropping the first set and overcoming a major deficit in the third set, the Raiders turned the tide, dominating the fourth set and taking the match for a record setting 5th consecutive state title, and their ninth state title in the last ten years.

The Loudoun County High School Raiders Volleyball team has made Virginia's 10th Congressional District proud and they have represented us well. Winning a state championship attests to their impressive athletic ability, unselfish mentality, and determination to succeed. I commend them for their tireless dedication to both their school and their teammates, without neither of which this could have been possible. It takes a delicate combination of superior skill and many hours of practice to win a state title. Loudoun County High School Volleyball has certainly earned this honor and the lessons learned over the years will valuably serve them as they continue on in their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the Loudoun County High School Raiders for winning 9 state volleyball titles in the last 10 years and representing Virginia's 10th Congressional District with such distinction. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a school in my District who was recently crowned as state champion in football. The Westfield High School Bulldogs Football team, led by Athletic Director Terri Towle, Head Coach Kyle Simmons and Assistant Coaches Dan Keating, Jon Shields, Mike Giancola, Pete Bendorf, Jose Ardon, Alex Callas, Mike King, Chris Coyer, and Curtis Knight, was one of several teams who won state titles in a variety of sports from Virginia's 10th Congressional District. I am proud of their hard work in achieving this goal. They practiced long hours as a team, and this extraordinary achievement shows how far dedication, hard work, and commitment to teamwork can take a group as they played against some of the best competition in the nation.

This year's state championship was a rematch of the 2015 state championship, where Westfield defeated Oscar Smith High School in quadruple overtime. Oscar Smith jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter; but Westfield took the lead in second with touchdowns by Nolan Cockrill and Sean Eckert. They extended their lead to 21-7 in the third after Nathaniel Chung punched in a third touchdown. However, Oscar Smith stormed back in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns and executing a two point conversion with seven seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime. Oscar Smith struck first with a touchdown pass on the first play. With the game on the line, Westfield answered with a touchdown pass of its own, tying the game at 28 and forcing a second overtime. Westfield had capitalized on having the first possession, with Rehman Johnson throwing his fourth touchdown of the night to Ivory Frimpong. Westfield's defense then rose up, and stopped Oscar Smith's high powered offense on the three yard line and in doing so, secured the Bulldogs' second state championship in as many years.

Westfield High School's Football team has made Virginia's 10th Congressional District proud and they have represented us well. Winning a state championship attests to their impressive athletic ability, unselfish mentality, and determination to succeed. I commend them for their tireless dedication to both their school and their teammates, without neither of which this could have been possible. It takes a delicate combination of superior skill and many hours of practice to win a state title. Westfield Football has certainly earned this honor and the lessons learned over the years will valuably serve them as they continue on in their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the Westfield Bulldogs for winning the Virginia 6A Football State Championship and representing Virginia's 10th Congressional District with such distinction. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize a local attorney in Virginia's 10th District, Angela Plowman, who will be departing from her position as Town Attorney of Middleburg. For nearly 20 years, Mrs. Plowman has served Loudoun County and the Middleburg community, serving both as an Assistant County Attorney and as a Town Attorney for the Middleburg Town Council.

She began her career in Loudoun County in 1999 as an Assistant County Attorney. In this position, she was responsible for handling a wide range of legal affairs and provided legal guidance to county attorneys and council members. Given her strong work ethic and dedication to her community and the law, Mrs. Plowman became the Town Attorney for the Middleburg Town Council in 2012. In this role, she worked in close collaboration with the town council and represented Middleburg's interests thoroughly.

In addition to practicing law, Mrs. Plowman has exemplified her dedication to our Loudoun County community by serving in a leadership role as a board member of the Loudoun Habitat for Humanity--an organization that builds homes for those who are in need in the 10th District.

Mrs. Plowman lives in Loudoun along with her husband Jim, our Commonwealth Attorney for Loudoun County, and their three children. She will continue to practice law in the area and plans to remain very involved in local affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I now ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Mrs. Plowman's years of public service. Today, we honor and celebrate the contributions she has made to the town and all its citizens. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 15th year anniversary of the organ donation made by one of my constituents, Karen Shorter, of Manassas Park, Virginia. On July 30th, 2002, Ms. Shorter donated one of her kidneys to Janet Melson Burns, a neighbor in need. Together they volunteered at the National Kidney Foundation as members of their Speaker's Bureau. Through the Foundation's Speaker's Bureau they both came to Capitol Hill where they spoke on the importance of the prevention and treatment of various kidney diseases.

Every year, Ms. Shorter and Ms. Burns celebrate a Happy Life Day on the anniversary of their transplant. These two have a ferocious friendship that transcends distance made. This is evident by the fact that even though Janet and her husband live in Atlanta, Georgia, she and Karen still make time for their Happy Life Day celebration. Through the transplant they have come to know personally each other's direct and extended family. This action has brought them closer together as people, neighbors, and friends. I am proud to have Karen Shorter as my constituent in the 10th district and hope she continues to share her heartwarming story on organ donation. In addition to her selfless act of kindness, Ms. Shorter recently retired after 25 years of government service to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington, DC and I thank her for her service.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Ms. Shorter for her actions and volunteer work and to wish them a ``Happy Life Day'' when they meet in Charleston, South Carolina this July.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Lieutenant Jeff Dube who recently departed from the Leesburg Police Department after 23 years of service. Throughout Lt. Dube's impressive career at the department, he always maintained a strong attitude and a willingness to embrace new roles and responsibilities. Additionally, before joining the Leesburg Police Department, Lt. Dube served eight years on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps.

During his tenure at the Leesburg Police Department, Lt. Dube served in many roles, including field training officer, shift supervisor, training officer, civil disturbance unit commander, recruitment and hiring, property and evidence and the accreditation manager. Additionally, Lt. Dube enjoyed liaising with the media, as he tried to keep the community informed about human interest stories as well as emergencies as they unfolded.

Police officers come from all walks of life to serve and protect their fellow citizens. Officers, like Lt. Dube, place their lives in jeopardy so that the rest of us may rest easy and the constituents of the 10th District are indebted to their dedication. The work he has done to selflessly serve our community and our country is an inspiration, and it is an honor to represent him.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Lt. Jeff Dube for his dedication to

serving our community and country for so many years. I wish him the best in retirement and in all of his future endeavors.