Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my good friend from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), the distinguished chairman of the committee, who has done, I think, an extraordinary job.

I was listening to my friend from Georgia, and--I don't know--maybe he forgot what it was like the previous 8 years. In the last Congress in which my friend from Georgia sat on the Rules Committee, we had the most closed-rule bills coming to the floor in the history of the Congress.

Mr. McGovern has aptly pointed out how many amendments are in this bill. One of the reasons we are here night after night voting on dozens and dozens of amendments is because the Rules Committee got opened up under Mr. McGovern's leadership and his able staff.

I congratulate them, and I salute them for opening up the process that my friends on the other side closed down.

Madam Speaker, I also wanted to rise in support of this rule and the underlying bill, which would make critical domestic investments in law enforcement, infrastructure, and our Nation's veterans.

I particularly want to commend the Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Lowey and Chairman Price for including in this bill a $150 million matching program in capital investment for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Nation's capital.

This funding is part of a successful Federal-State partnership and has been used for major investments to upgrade Metro. The three Metro jurisdictions--Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.--collectively match this $150 million annual payment with an equal amount of $150 million, for a total of $350 million a year over a 10-year period.

Without that continued Federal participation, this funding partnership would, in fact, cease, leaving a massive shortfall in WMATA's capital budget.

I look forward to working with the chairwoman of Transportation and Infrastructure, Eleanor Holmes Norton, of Washington, D.C., and my colleagues to advance a long-term and enhanced reauthorization of dedicated funding for WMATA.

I have introduced a bill, the METRO Accountability and Investment Act, would do just that and has the full support of every single member of the National Capital Delegation: Maryland, Virginia, and Washington,

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded

the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

This is the 41st Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present 123 awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze and Silver Medal of Valor.

PSC III Bradley T. Philpott is being awarded the Certificate of Valor this year for his exceptional service in the performance of his duties. It is with great pride that I include his name in the Record.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate the 2019 Valor Award Recipients, and thank all of the men and women who serve in the Department of Public Safety Communications. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

This is the 41st Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present 123 awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze and Silver Medal of Valor.

Two members of the Town of Herndon Police Department are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following Valor Award Recipients:

Lifesaving Award:

Lieutenant Si Ahmad

PFC Christopher Parker

Madam Speaker, I congratulate the 2019 Valor Award Recipients, and thank all of the men and women who serve in the Town of Herndon Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to announce the passing of a valued member of our community. Sunny Sung-In Kim passed away on June 9, 2019 surrounded by his loved ones. Throughout his life he exhibited a constant devotion to his family, his Christian faith and the relationship between the United States of America and his native Korea.

Born on November 16, 1950 in Pusan, Korea during the Korean War, Sunny enlisted in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps as soon as he was eligible to do so. He served from 1969 to 1972, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal. He emigrated to the United States in 1973 and became a naturalized citizen. On May 11, 1975, he married the love of his life, Susan Bok-Ja Kim in Long Island, New York and together raised their two sons.

In 1986, Sunny founded and was President of Grass Roots, Inc., a food service and catering business with multiple locations in the Financial District of Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to his success as an entrepreneur, Sunny had a lifelong passion of service to his community and served as President of the Korean American Association of New England and the Secretary-General of the Federation of Korean Associations, U.S.A.

As part of his lifelong commitment to honoring the memory of the 36,574 U.S. troops and the estimated 1.2 million Republic of Korea troops and civilians who lost their lives during the Korean War, Sunny galvanized support for the creation of the Massachusetts Korean War Veterans Memorial at the Charlestown Naval Shipyard.

In recognition of his contributions to the U.S.-Korea alliance and the Korean American community, Sunny was the recipient of a Presidential Commendation by the President of the Republic of Korea. As co-Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, I will greatly miss his advocacy on the importance of this alliance.

Sunny was an active member of the Korean Presbyterian Church in Greater Boston where he was an ordained Elder. Sunny's deep and abiding faith was the foundation of his family. He instilled in his sons the virtues of generosity, graciousness and hearts filled with gratitude. An avid sports enthusiast, he was a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins and the Boston Red Sox.

After nearly three decades of running their company in New England, Sunny and Susan retired to Haymarket, Virginia to be near their sons and grandchildren. I had the great privilege of knowing Sunny during his years of living in Northern Virginia and attended church with him on numerous occasions. I was always struck by his kindness and his devotion to his family. In the final years of his life, nothing brought him greater joy than cheering on his grandchildren while watching them play football, lacrosse and baseball.

Madam Speaker, Sunny's example of a life well-lived shines brightly as a model to us all and his loss is felt deeply. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Sunny Sung-In Kim and in extending our deepest condolences to his wife Susan, their sons Thomas and James and their grandchildren ``T'', Rachel, Samuel, William and Henry.

Madam Speaker, I rise to commend the Manassas Park Police Department and its outstanding members who have demonstrated superior dedication to ensuring the safety of their colleagues and members of the community and their designation as 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients. The annual Valor Awards ceremony recognizes the remarkable heroism and bravery above and beyond the line of duty exemplified by our public safety and law enforcement professionals. For the past 33 years, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel for their extraordinary service.

Our public safety and law enforcement workforces put their lives at risk on a daily basis to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. In recognition of acts of valor, we award the following honoree for his demonstrated extraordinary dedication and outstanding performance under unusually difficult or dangerous circumstances. It is my honor to include in the Record one of the names of the Manassas Park Police Department law enforcement professionals:

Hillary Robinette Award

Detective Christopher Koglin

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipient of the Manassas Park Police Department. The selfless acts of heroism by this distinguished individual merits our highest praise. I thank each honoree, as well as all Manassas Park Police Department law enforcement professionals, for their dedication and commitment to the protection of our communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize an individual who has made an incredible mark on our community. This year marks the retirement of Chief Kevin McGee from the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department. This will conclude an almost 40-year career for Chief McGee, all with the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department.

Chief McGee joined the Fire and Rescue Academy in 1979 and rose through the ranks, becoming Battalion Chief in 1991, Assistant Chief in 1998 and was appointed Chief of the Fire and Rescue Department in 2007. Chief McGee also holds the distinction of having served at every rank of the Fire Department, enlisted and officer, on his way to serving as Chief. His tenure as Chief saw significant benefits for Prince William County including the reduction of false fire alarms by 82%. Chief McGee also led a review of Prince William County's emergency operations plans in order to adapt them to better respond to the threat posed by terrorism. He helped to modernize the department with the introduction of Geographic Information Systems, a computer-aided dispatch system, the Public Safety Radio Communications System and the E-9-1-1 and fire and rescue mobile data systems. All of these improvements helped the Fire and Rescue Department better serve the residents of Prince William County.

Chief McGee's efforts have been recognized by numerous entities and his leadership has led to the Department receiving several awards and citations, including the Governor's Award for Outstanding EMS Agency in 2003 and the 2019 Northern Virginia EMS Council's EMS Agency Award.

I was first elected to Congress shortly after Chief McGee was appointed Chief of the Fire and Rescue Department. I had worked with him previously during my time as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on various regional boards and commissions. The partnership that we had built during my time in local government continued in Congress.

I was fortunate to do several ride-alongs and facility tours with the Chief and saw firsthand his dedication to the men and women who served with him and to the residents of Prince William County. One case in particular will always stand out. Chief McGee and I worked together to get federal benefits restored to a Prince William County first responder who fell in the line of duty. The Justice Department had originally denied the claim, but working with Chief McGee we were able to get that decision reversed and make whole in one small way the family members of that first responder.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Chief Kevin McGee on his almost four decades of service to Prince William County and to Northern Virginia. Though he may be retiring, I suspect that he will continue to remain engaged on the causes that are close to his heart and he will never be far from a fire station in Prince William County. I wish him all the best in retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Joyce-Gillespie- Harrington Educational and Charitable Foundation and the Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on the occasion of their 39th annual Black and Gold Scholarship Ball.

The Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Educational and Charitable Foundation was incorporated in 2001 and was formed to provide financial support to the educational initiatives developed by the Chapter and Fraternity. It increases opportunities for achievement for young African-American men and women through scholarships, mentoring, and charitable services. The Foundation was named in honor of three community leaders and fraternity members, James Burwell Gillespie, Roosevelt Harrington, and Henry Louis Joyce who were dedicated to the ideals of ``Scholarship, Community, Service and Love for all Mankind.'' Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to local youth to assist them with continuing their education.

The programs offered by the foundation are vital to the success of our students. This year's Black and Gold Scholarship Ball will support scholarships for ten college-bound high school students. During the last nineteen years, one-hundred students have received scholarships awarded by the foundation and have attended some of the top colleges and universities in the country. With the typical college graduate's debt averaging about $30,000.00, the Foundation's continued support of these students is absolutely critical.

I am pleased to include in the Record the following names of the 2019 scholarship winners:

Andrews Boateng--Stone Bridge H.S.; Jacklyn Bostic-Clarke--Broad Run H.S.; Ariana Frazier--TC Williams H.S.; Alexander Harvey--Freedom H.S.; Kevin M. Jackson--Lake Braddock S.S.; Abigail Jegels--Broad Run H.S.; Sydney Jenkins--Briar Woods H.S.; Cameron Miller--Broad Run H.S.; Andrew Otchere--Rock Ridge H.S.; Derrick L. Pough, Jr.--Loudoun County H.S.; Jonathan G. Williams--Tuscarora H.S.

Madam Speaker, these students represent our country's next generation of gifted leaders who will have great impact on our society and future. I thank the Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Charitable and Education Foundation and the Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for their dedicated commitment to fostering success in our youth and commend all of the scholarship winners for their academic excellence. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these talented students and in wishing them great success in all their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

This is the 41st Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present 123 awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze, Silver and Gold Medal of Valor.

Seventy-three awards will be bestowed upon first responders who serve with the Fairfax County Police Department in recognition of their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following Valor Award Recipients:

Gold Medal of Valor: 2nd Lt. Peter J. Massaro, Sgt. Bradley P. Woehrlen, PFC Jason S. Edminster, PFC Jonathan E. Epperson, PFC Louis J. Marino, PFC Benjamin J. McIntosh, PFC Andrew D. Napieralski, Ofc. Nicholas J. Kirsch

Silver Medal of Valor: MPO Joseph N. Wallace, PFC Kelvin D. Catron

Bronze Medal of Valor: 2nd Lt. Edward S. Rediske, Sgt. David J. Giaccio, MPO Douglas D. Meyer, MPO Robert T. Murray Jr., PFC Brian P. Donoghue, PFC John H. Lamper, PFC Amanda N. O'Connor, PFC Kevin L. Reynolds, PFC Ali Sepehri, PFC Shane S. Oh, PFC Hudson A. Bull, PFC John J. Donohue, PFC Dale A. Drewry, PFC Tarik Sefaine, PFC Stacey L. Wells, Det. Eric W. Crago, Det. John D. Sykes, Ofc. Erik J. Laursen, Ofc. Michael J. DiLuccio, Ofc. Matthew R. Kramer, Pilot Matthew P. Hobbs

Certificate of Valor: MPO Peter B. Katinsky, PFC Matthew H. Wolff, PFC Jeremy C. Harvey, PFC Leslie G. Schmitt, PFC Jason L. Deal, Ofc. Ryan K. Miller, Ofc. Jacob D. Bettilyon, Ofc. Evan D. Brandolino, Ofc. Nickolas P. Slaker

Lifesaving Award: 2nd Lt. Christopher D. Sharp, MPO Jeffrey M. Gregory, MPO Stephen P. Kaganowich, MPO Kenyatta L. Momon, PFC Zachary R. Bargeron, PFC Kenner D. Fortner, PFC Matthew C. Bedekovich, PFC Katelynn M. Bullock, PFC Matthew C. McMann, PFC Colton J. Weaver,

PFC Jessica L. DiGirolamo, PFC Quentin S. Eley, PFC James T. Hill, PFC Juan C. Grande, PFC Travis L. Tate, PFC Bryant E. Hartzell, PFC Stephen R. Klier, PFC John H. Lamper, PFC Edwin M. Pastora Minero, PFC Julian G. Menk, PFC Matthew E. Nilssen, PFC Justun W. Patrick, PFC Timothy B. Schilling, PFC William R. Bouey, PFC Trevor W. Jenkins, PFC Matthew A. Thomas, PFC Gary S. Tuggle, PFC Michael P. Zesk, Ofc. Jennifer E. Habig, Ofc. Lincoln Jones, Ofc. Mark S. Greatheart, Ofc. Nicolas P. Slaker, Ofc. Michael S. Tokarski

Madam Speaker, I congratulate the 2019 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Madam Speaker, I rise to commend the City of Manassas Police Department and its outstanding members who have demonstrated superior dedication to ensuring the safety of their colleagues and members of the community and their designation as 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients. The annual Valor Awards ceremony recognizes the remarkable heroism and bravery above and beyond the line of duty exemplified by our public safety and law enforcement professionals. For the past 33 years, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel for their extraordinary service.

Incorporated in 1975, the 10 square miles of the City of Manassas is located thirty miles southwest of the Nation's Capital and surrounded by Prince William County. Recognized as a ``Gold Standard with Excellence Agency'' by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the City of Manassas Police Department maintains a proactive approach to crime prevention built on established relationships within the community. As a result, the 120 employees maintain a high-level of professionalism, dedication, and commitment to the more than 41,000 residents.

It is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the City of Manassas Police Department law enforcement professionals. These brave men and women put their lives at risk on a daily basis to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. In recognition of their acts of valor, the following individuals are being honored for their extraordinary dedication and outstanding performance under unusually difficult or dangerous circumstances.

Valor Merit Award: Senior Police Officer Alexander, Officer Joshua Aussems, Officer Shaun Barrett, Officer Ethan Eustace, Officer Juan Armas, Parking Enforcement Officer Isabel Myers.

Hillary Robinette Valor Award: Detective Derrick Black, Senior Detective Speights, Lieutenant Elia Alfonso, Sergeant Serena Bowers, Master Detective Michael Gemmell, Master Detective Tim Urey, Master Detective Jonathan Agule, Detective Luis Armas, Officer Ryan McCarthy, Crime Analyst Alemayehu, Sergeant Gavin Young.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients of the City of Manassas Police Department. The selfless acts of heroism by this distinguished group of men and women merits our highest praise. I thank each honoree, as well as all City of Manassas Police Department law enforcement professionals, for their dedication and commitment to the protection of our communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements of the student award winners of Freedom High School at the Outstanding Eagles Award Ceremony. Each of these students are being honored for their resilient high school careers and the positive impact they have had on their classmates, teachers, and community.

These Outstanding Eagles have been selected for both their exceptional academic achievements as well as their determination to overcome hurdles throughout their academic careers. These students were able to take on adversity head on and show what resilient individuals they are. I'm sure the challenges they endured makes the journey and this accomplishment that much more satisfying, and this hard work will be vital in their future career paths as they enter higher education and the work field. But with students like this, I know we are in good hands. They are well prepared to face tomorTow's challenges, and I look forward to hearing of the many accomplishments they reach. They will be the future leaders of our country and I am happy that these outstanding students were developed out of Prince William County. It is truly my honor, to include in the Record the following Outstanding Eagles of Freedom High School.

Aimen Zafar Khan

Carlos Estelio Cifuentes

Iqra Noor

Bazgha Afaq Paracha

Amya Cook

Timothy Lee Bailey

Abhishek Kattel

Kiara Lynn Angeles Ehle

Ralph Alix Saint-Franc

Bashshar Osman

Robert James Mayer

Sharon Carly Anwa Acha

Joshua Ioane Fuga

Ivan Eduardo Torres

Alexa Mileydi Zaldivar Comayagua

Amara Dominique Smith Speights

Merari Joseline Posas Mata

Kari Lilibeth Tobar Zelaya

Sophia Autumn Allder-Stephens

Hannah Ngoc Huynh

Isavel Diaz Castro

Andy Adrian Reynosa-Gomez

Abri Yannah Indera Syrina Graham

Genesis Alexa Villanueva

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating these Outstanding Eagles for being honored by Freedom High School for their academic and resilient high school careers.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this en bloc package of amendments to H.R. 2740, which includes my simple amendment that would prohibit funding for International Military Education and Training (IMET) for Saudi Arabia--restating a prohibition included in the FY 2019 funding bill.

As its name suggests, IMET assistance provides grants to foreign military personnel to access training and education at U.S. military facilities.

But this program is also a portal to a major discount on military training that a foreign country purchases from the United States.

Traditionally, Saudi Arabia had received a nominal $10,000 in IMET assistance annually--but that funding unlocked a discount for Riyadh, enabling the Kingdom to save up to $30 million per year on its purchase of defense services.

In the wake of Jamal Khashoggi's murder, rising civilian casualties in Yemen, and increasing oppression of political dissent inside and outside Saudi Arabia, provision of IMET assistance--and the significant savings it unlocks--to Riyadh is no longer tenable.

The United States must take stock of our strategic interests and reexamine our relationship with Saudi Arabia to ensure that U.S. policy is rooted in American values, particularly respect for human rights.

I urge my colleagues to support my amendment to this bill and ensure that we hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its gross violations of human rights.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the accomplishments of outgoing Chairman of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Betty Dean and to thank her for her immeasurable contributions to Prince William County businesses and residents.

In 2000, Betty moved to Occoquan in Prince William County from Delaware. For nearly 20 years she has given much back to our community through her advocacy, volunteerism, and desire to leave a positive impact in the county. Betty joined the Prince William Chamber in 2001, and she has been one of the most active members since that time. She spent nearly two decades in marketing research and planning, but most importantly, she worked diligently to strengthen business-to-business ties and business-to-community ties. In 2016, she started Betty Dean & Associates, which provides marketing and strategic planning advocacy services for nonprofits and small businesses. Due to the success of her business, her active community involvement, and continued work in the Chamber, she was elected Chairman of the Chamber in July of 2018.

Betty said that as Chairman she wanted to be a vocal advocate for the business community and continue encouraging chamber members to do business with one another. Through her leadership the Chamber did just that, and her hard work did not go unnoticed. This year she was named one of Prince William's Most Influential Women by Prince William Living, a well-deserved recognition of her leadership in empowerment and commitment to service and our community. She is truly one of the most influential persons in both the county and the Northern Virginia region. Betty is a pillar of the community and we thank her for her service to the Prince William Chamber.

Betty's dedication to improving our community has extended far beyond the Chamber. She is the immediate past president and current president of the Greater Prince William Coalition for Human Services, is the co- founder and president of Occoquan River Communities, serves as a member of the board of directors and chair of the communications committee of People, Inc., and is past secretary and service chair of the Rotary Club of Lake Ridge. She is fondly known as the ``Queen of the Occoquan,'' a title she has earned through her advocacy.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and congratulating Betty Dean on a successful term as Chairman of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. I commend her for her efforts on behalf of the business community and County and wish her continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company and its outstanding members who have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and are the 2019 recipients of the prestigious Prince William Chamber of Commerce Merit Award and Valorous Unit Award for their service. The annual Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery above and beyond the line of duty exemplified by our public safety and law enforcement professionals.

For the past 33 years, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to our firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel for their extraordinary service. These brave men and women put their lives at risk on a daily basis to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. These dedicated service members of a combination career and volunteer system fight fires, provide emergency medical services, perform rescues, and work in our community to promote fire safety and prevention. In recognition of their acts of valor, it is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company public safety personnel:

Bronze Medal for Valor: Firefighter Terry Norling.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2019 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients of the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company. The selfless acts of heroism by this distinguished group of men and women truly merits our highest praise. I thank each honoree, as well as all the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company public safety professionals for their dedication and commitment to the protection of our communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

This is the 41st Annual Valor Awards sponsored by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. This event honors the remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety officers. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. This year's ceremony will present 123 awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories including the Lifesaving Certificate, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze and Silver Medal of Valor.

MPO Neil Patrick Shaw of the Town of Vienna Police Department is being awarded the Certificate of Valor this year for his exceptional service in the line of duty. It is with great pride that I include in the Record his name.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate the 2019 Valor Award Recipients, and thank all of the men and women who serve in the Town of Vienna Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of our community, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Northern Virginia Regional Commission on its 50th anniversary. This momentous occasion carries great significance for me, as I served as Chairman of the NVRC during my time as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Serving on a regional board or commission is a unique responsibility and can place a politician in an unusual position: advocating for and working for someone else's constituents. More often than not, you have to travel outside of the district or community that you represent and you have to make decisions that balance the interests of the region, not just your constituents. It can often be a thankless task, but it is so important to the continued long-term health and viability of our community as a whole. That's why it is so critical that we continue to plan at the regional level and beyond. Indeed, in Northern Virginia, part of the reason why we enjoy such a high quality of life is because we have placed such a high emphasis on coordination and planning at the regional level. That emphasis goes back decades, as evidenced by this anniversary.

While there are many different ways that regional planning has benefitted Northern Virginia, two areas in particular come to mind. The first is the environment, where NVRC has been an invaluable partner on a hosts of projects including expanding solar power through Solarize NoVa, protecting and maintaining local water resources through the Occoquan Basin Nonpoint Pollution Management Program, and cleaning up and preserving the Chesapeake Bay for future generations.

The Cool Counties Initiative to help address climate change at the local level and the development of a regional energy strategy were other important elements in that ongoing struggle. All of these initiatives have improved our quality of life and ensured that future generations can continue to have that same quality of life that we currently enjoy.

Another area we have seen a tremendous return on investment is in demographic research. NVRC was among the first regional bodies to seriously study the coming demographic changes to our region. When I first moved to Fairfax County, the population was 3 percent foreign- born. Today that number is over 30 percent. This diversity has become one of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia's greatest strengths. However, such a rapid demographic change in a relatively short time period could have led to serious disruptions if the region's infrastructure was not prepared to accommodate it. Thanks to cutting- edge research by NVRC, we were able to foresee these changes and plan to accommodate them as they occurred.

Madam Speaker, bodies like NVRC are a testament to good government and all of the benefits that good government can bring. I commend my colleagues on NVRC and all the other regional boards and commissions in the National Capital Region for the work they do every day on behalf of the greater good. I ask my colleagues in this body to join me in congratulating NVRC on its 50th anniversary and in thanking them for their continued service to all our communities.