Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Michael L. Ehrlich on the occasion of his retirement from the Fairfax County Public School System following an exceptional 30-year career in education. I thank him for his life-long dedication to fine arts education and to thousands of music students in Northern Virginia.

Michael Ehrlich was born and raised in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. While in high school, he was an active member of the band and choral programs. Upon graduation in 1974, Michael spent two years as a saxophonist with the Air Force Band of the East stationed at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. In 1977, he began his college career at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and received his degree in music and theatre in 1981. He then returned to Pennsylvania where he taught private saxophone and voice lessons. He also performed in and directed musical theatre for community theatre groups in the area. In 1983, Michael moved to Northern Virginia and established the foundation of his musical career here, teaching private saxophone and voice lessons and performing in and directing musical theater for several local community theater groups.

Michael accepted a teaching position at W.T. Woodson High School in 1988. At that time, only 30 students were participating in the choral program.

During his 30-year tenure, Michael expanded the program, which now includes 250 students in six different choirs.

Under his leadership, the W.T. Woodson High School choirs have consistently received superior ratings at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) choral festival, and have been invited to perform at many other venues and conventions. The Select Women's Ensemble performed for the VMEA convention in 1993, 1999, and 2014 as well as for the Southern Division, American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) convention in 1998, 2006, and 2012.

The Select Vocal Ensemble was a winner of the WGMS classical radio station/GEICO Young Artists in the Community contest and was honored to perform at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theatre Millennium Stage and at the Concert Hall. In the summers of 1999, 2006, 2009, 2012, and 2015, a group of select singers traveled to Europe and performed at venues in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and France. Highlights of the tour included a singing mass at Notre Dame and also a performance at a wreath-laying ceremony at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France. In addition to his work with the choral groups, Michael was also the vocal director and pit orchestra conductor for W.T. Woodson High School's musical theater performances.

Michael's dedication and commitment to this craft and to his students has been recognized locally and nationally, along with his influence on music education. Michael is listed in the Who's Who Among American Teachers, was nominated for Fairfax County Teacher of the Year, and was named a USA Today--All USA Teacher. He was also a recipient of the 2004-2005 Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center Scholarship for Teachers and was inducted into the East Stroudsburg High School Music Hall of Fame. In addition, Michael received the Sydney Swiggett award and was the inaugural recipient of the W.T. Woodson Parent Teacher Student Organization's Teacher of the Year award.

Perhaps most importantly, Michael is an educator who is beloved by his students, their parents and his colleagues, myself among them . Michael was my daughter Caitlin's chorus teacher during her time at W.T. Woodson High School and our family remembers that time with warm appreciation. His joy in sharing his passion for music with his students is contagious and inspires them to strive for excellence not only in their choral performances, but in all aspects of their lives.

As a lifetime supporter of the arts, I believe that fine arts education is critical to the emotional and intellectual development of our youth and our society as a whole. Michael has dedicated his life to this principle and the lives of countless young people and their families have been improved and enriched as a result of his commitment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating my friend Michael Ehrlich on his retirement and in wishing him great success in his future endeavors. Although he may be officially stepping away from high school music education, I have no doubt that he will continue to advocate for the arts and for the joy they bring to our lives. On behalf of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia and on behalf of my family, I thank him for his service to our community and for his steadfast dedication to the promotion of fine arts and to the education of our youth. I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue and its outstanding members who have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and are the 2018 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 32 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. For fire and rescue personnel, no two days are alike. Always on the front lines, the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue is comprised of three sections: community safety, operations, and support systems. 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.

At the time of the Department of Fire and Rescue's founding in 1966, approximately 50,000 people lived in Prince William County. Today, the Department provides high quality and efficient firefighting and emergency medical services to a population of more than 430,000 with a staff of 574 uniformed and civilian personnel. They provide around the clock services from 22 fire stations in a county spanning 348 square miles.

In recognition of their acts of valor, it is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue public safety personnel:

Merit Award for Valor

Technician II Todd Laws, Technician I Marcia Midence, Technician I Robert Traver, Lieutenant Brian Marks, Technician II Jonathon Hartmann.

Valorous Unit

Lieutenant Lee Presgrave, Technician II Chris Alloway, Technician II Jeff Dowell, Lieutenant Brian Reader, Technician I Jason Guimond, Technician II Jonathon Hartman, Lieutenant Brian Marks, Technician I Andrew Gorman, Technician II Greg Klatte, Lieutenant Vincent Prysock, Technician I Matthew Pennington.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues join me in recognizing the 2018 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Valor Award recipients of the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue. 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 Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue public safety professionals for their dedication and commitment to the protection of our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 2018 Fairfax County Student Peace Awards.

This program began in 2006 to encourage high school aged students to think about peace as both a means and an end, and to recognize young people who work as peacemakers. The Fairfax County Student Peace Awards began with one high school, and by 2013 the program was being offered in every public high school in Fairfax County, as well as in three private schools. Inspired by the success of the Fairfax County program, Frederick County, Maryland, launched a Peace

Awards program in 2014, which is now being offered in every school in the county.

Participating high schools choose one Junior or Senior, or one student group active in promoting peace and/or removing the causes of conflict. Examples of outreach include: committing to peace by engaging in activities that strive to end conflict either locally or globally; seeking to discuss or otherwise resolve potentially controversial issues within the school or community; promoting the understanding of divisive issues and situations to bridge language, ethnic, racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, or class differences; and working to resolve conflicts among students or members of the community who feel isolated or alienated.

I am pleased to include in the Record the names of this year's Student Peace Award winners:

Annandale High School: Nahom Dagnachew, Dongun Kim, Victor Nguyen, Kaalok Yap

Cedar Lane School: Khalil Anderson, Arnaz Carter-Newman

Centreville High School: Ricardo Avalos

Chantilly High School: Kimberly Schmaus

Fairfax High School: Stran Kurdi

Hayfield Secondary School: Carmen Mazyck

Herndon High School: Joyce Lee

King Abdullah Academy: Sarah Osman

Lake Braddock Secondary School: Zahra Alisa

Langley High School: Katherine Mansourova, Junnah Mozaffar

Lee High School: Eyerusalem Desta

Madison High School: Allison Janowski, Katherine Oliveira

Marshall High School: Janan lranbomy

McLean High School: Bryce Liquerman

Mount Vernon High School: Scarlett Elisabeth Reyes

Mountain View High School: Bryan Geronimo Perez Brito

Oakton High School: Kinda Callas

Quander Road School: Gina Scapellato

Robinson Secondary School: Faraz N. Zia

South Lakes High School: Zhiyi Wang

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology: Gay Straight Alliance, Ash Rozzi

West Potomac High School: Kameron Clarke

Westfield High School: Muslim Student Association

Woodson High School: Yousof Omeish

Mr. Speaker, the efforts of these young people are the building blocks of a more peaceful and tolerant world. I commend them on their efforts and dedication, and ask my colleagues to join me in thanking each award recipient, the Fairfax County Public School System, and the sponsor organizations for all they have done for our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the 2018 Northern Virginia District PTA Annual Award recipients. Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTSAs) in Northern Virginia serve a critical role in helping to provide the best possible educational environment for our students.

The Northern Virginia District PTA represents a region with more than 220 schools. Maintaining a healthy and strong organization is an important part of allowing these groups to have the greatest possible impact on the students they serve. To encourage such strength, it is important to note the individual PTAs that excel in this mission, as well as the individual Volunteers of the Year.

I am pleased to congratulate the following PTAs and individuals on being recognized by the Northern Virginia District PTA for their immeasurable contributions to the education of our children:

NOVA District PTA Elementary School Volunteer of Year Finalists: Kate Brown, Buzz Aldrin ES PTA; Chad Artz, Hollin Meadows ES PTA; Maria Nguyen, North Springfield ES PTA.

NOVA District PTA Secondary School Volunteer of the Year Finalists: Mary Knowles, Lake Braddock SS PTSA; Julie Strandlie, Oliver Wendell Holmes MS PTA; Sherry Nachnani, Walt Whitman MS PTSA; Cathy Jacquette, Oakton HS PTSA.

NOVA District PTA Special Education PTA Volunteer of the Year Award: JoAnne Walton, Fairfax County SEPTA.

NOVA District PTA Outstanding Local Units of the Year: Herndon ES PTA; Laurel Ridge ES PTA; Mount Vernon Community School PTA; Oakton HS

Mr. Speaker, l rise today to recognize the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year Award nominees for Prince William County Public Schools.

Teachers who meet the criteria for the award are those who instill in students a desire to learn and achieve, understand the individual needs of students, demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter, and have the ability to share it effectively. The selected winner will be named the Prince William County Teacher of the Year.

As the second largest school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Prince William County Public Schools educates 90,000 students in ninety-eight schools, including sixty elementary schools, sixteen middle schools, twelve high schools, one Governor's school, three special education schools (one nontraditional school and two traditional schools), two special site schools, and one K-8 school.

Each Teacher of the Year Award nominee exhibits excellence in teaching by serving as an effective leader in and out of the classroom, fostering strong rapport with parents and peers, and by providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students to learn and develop.

I extend my personal congratulations to the following 2017-2018 Prince William County nominees for Teacher of the Year Award:

Christina Badorrek, Patriot High School

Katherine Brush, Loch Lomond Elementary School

Maureen Burns, Bennett Elementary School

Jennifer Dittamo, King Elementary School

Jason Fairman, Gainesville Middle School

Sarah Gilbert, T. Clay Wood Elementary School

Starr Granby, Minnieville Elementary School

Allison Holzgang, Colgan High School

Mary Hubbell, Buckland Mills Elementary School

Mary Hustwayte, Pattie Elementary School

Perpetua Magalhaes, Stonewall Jackson High School

Katrina Martino, Graham Park Middle School

Andrew McCarthy, Woodbridge High School

Jennifer Nemec, Osbourn Park High School

Ashley Olsen-Potthast, Buckland Mills Elementary School

Shari Partridge, Mullen Elementary School

Michelle Pucci, Buckland Mills Elementary School

Michael Pullum, Forest Park High School

Sandra Robertson, T. Clay Wood Elementary School

Robert Scott, Osbourn Park High School

Erin Travis, Mullen Elementary School

John Treadwell, Colgan High School

Johnna Tselides, Piney Branch Elementary School

Michael Viola, Woodbridge High School

Kelly Wheeler, Minnieville Elementary School

Cynthia Williams, New Directions Alternative Education Center

Lavonda Wortham, Potomac High School

Anthony Wyman, Hylton High School

Jennifer Young, Ashland Elementary School

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the Prince William County Public Schools nominees for the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year Award, and in thanking them for their dedication to our children. Their continued service will ensure that Prince William County Public Schools students continue to receive a world-class education in a vibrant learning environment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the graduates of the 143rd Recruit Class. As they prepare to join the ranks of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, I encourage the thirty-two graduates to reflect on the history of the department, and the contributions and dedication of the brave men and women who have served before them to protect our community.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department's Recruit School consists of an extensive and demanding twenty-four-week program. In addition to two weeks of orientation, recruits complete seven weeks of EMT training and fifteen weeks of fire suppression training. Upon graduation, these recruits will be certified at the level of Firefighter I/II by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.

These recruits have the distinct honor of joining one of the best Fire and Rescue Departments in the United States. The efforts of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department have been recognized across this country. Members from the Department serve on the elite VA Task Force l, which is among the first units called to disaster zones to provide search and rescue support. Members of that Task Force were recognized by the International Association of Fire Chiefs with the Benjamin Franklin Award for Valor, as a result of their efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal in 2015. Recently, they have seen extensive work in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as part of disaster relief and rescue efforts in the aftermaths of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

Fairfax County is fortunate to have such excellent ambassadors for our community, and I commend them for all they have done to protect lives and property not only here in Fairfax County, but around the world. As the newest members of the Fire and Rescue Department, the 143rd Recruit Class graduates join the department as integral parts of our community's emergency response and public safety team. I am confident this graduating class will serve the residents of Fairfax County with honor and distinction. It is my great honor to include in the Record the names of the 143rd Recruit Class:

Melissa A. Berkowitz, Richard N. Burton, Jasper R. Cooper, Megan E. Field, Heather A. Funkhouser, Danny E. Gallardo, Graham K. Gilbert, Matthew C. Harris, Shawn M. Jaret, Jacob W. Johnson, Aria Khodabakhchian, Juan D. Lopez, Daniel J. Mechling, Andrew L. Mullinax, Sarah M. Murphy, Luke F. Nuar, Christian S. Perdue, Natalie J. Potell, Jose L. Ramos Castro, Sean L. Sack, Jessica L. Salpini, Tyler T. Sevener, Matthew R. Sherwood, Corey J. Smith, Armando T. Solano, Thien H. Tran, Katherine L. Tripp, William H. Turk, William A. Wagner, Jonathan L. Wallace, Stephen M. Williams, Andrew T. Wycheck.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the newest members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. I thank them for their service to their community, and to all members of the Fire and Rescue Department, past and present, I say, ``Stay safe.''

Mr. 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 40th 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 ninety-one 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.

Sergeant Mark Asmussen of the U.S. Park Police is being honored this year for his exceptional service with the Certificate of Valor, and it is with great pride that I include his name in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Sergeant Asmussen and all of the 2018 Valor Award Recipients, and extend my thanks to all of the men and women who serve in the United States Park Police. 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a group of individuals who have selflessly dedicated themselves to the betterment of their community. Each year, the Reston Association recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond with the Volunteer Reston awards. Reston is well known to be a shining example of civic engagement. This event, held during National Volunteer Week, honors those who have made significant impacts on the lives of others and the community. In Fairfax County, we are blessed with an incredible abundance of generosity of spirit, and the individuals who are being honored with these awards are the embodiment of that spirit.

It is my honor to include in the Record the names of 2018 Volunteer Reston award winners:

Kelley Westenhoff--Volunteer of the Year

Iman Hadji--Youth Volunteer of the Year

Patricia Wagner--55+ Volunteer of the Year

Jay Steinberg--Our Everyday Hero

Group Volunteer of the Year--Nature Center Welcome Desk Attendants: Anne Cannizzaro, Barbara Paolucci, Brenda van Doorn, Ellen Perrins, Freya De Cola, Janine Greenwood, Jim Seret, June Ferrera, Marilyn Dicke, Paulette Lincoln-Baker, Sharon McHugh, Terri Ostrowski, Verna Webb.

Adult Group Volunteer of the Year--Stream Monitoring Team: Bob Bidwell, Bob Ryder, Bob Speegle, Bob Parker, Dick Christensen.

Community Partner of the Year--Friends of Reston: Carol Nahorniak, Bonnie Haukness, Glenn Walker, Fran Lovaas, Janine Greenwood, Sherri Hebert.

Work Group of the Year--Reston Annual State of the Environment Report (RASER) Working Group: Doug Britt, Sue Beffel, Don Coram, Robin Duska, Linda Fuller, Carl Mitchell, Lois Phemiste.

Mr. Speaker, civic engagement is at the heart of a healthy community, and it is clear from these awardees that Reston remains one of the healthiest communities in Northern Virginia. I congratulate all of the recipients on their awards, and thank them for their service to our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them great success in all their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce and to congratulate the incoming 2018 board members. Tysons has drastically transformed during the past 55 years from a sleepy, rural area to one of the most vibrant regions in the country. This change began when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved plans for the Tysons Corner Shopping Center in 1962. When the mall opened in 1968, it was hailed as the largest enclosed mall in the world.

Since then, there has been a dramatic influx of technology companies, government contracting firms, and other corporations. Tysons has become the premier business district of the Washington Metropolitan Area, and is one of the largest employment centers in the United States. With the opening of Metro's Silver Line, as well as ongoing redevelopment, the region is expected to continue adding not only businesses, but also high-density residential housing.

The mission of the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce is to be the unified voice of the business community, while ensuring its ties and commitment to the community are strengthened. The Chamber actively promotes local non-profits and community organizations, as well as youth educational programs, and it sponsors multiple events each year in support of these activities.

The growth of the Chamber has been the result of the diversity of its members and the leadership of its Board. I am pleased to include in the Record the names of the incoming 2018 board members.

Chairman of the Board: Virginia Case

General Counsel: William Daly

VP of Membership: Joshua Brady

VP of Marketing: Chris Tomseth

Treasurer: David MacGillivray

Secretary: Maureen Loftus

At-Large Members: Samim Ardeishar, Susan Baker, Joseph Cathey, Andrew Clark, Kevin Corey, Joe Falit, Jerry Ferguson, Jennifer Garry, Tucker Gladhill, Laura Granato, Reza Hassan, Kathy Jensen, Kathleen Kelly, Walter Kim, Jeffrey Krashin, Kathy McNeill, Marge Niedwicz, Shawn Pastor, Vick Rai, Mark Rogoff, Nema Semnani, Trevor Taylor, James Ursini, Diana Villarreal, Patrick Whalen, Peter Wynne

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the incoming board members and in commending the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce for its commitment to promoting the business community, while encouraging social responsibility and civic engagement. I wish the Chamber the very best for its continued growth and success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region located at Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCINCR/MCBQ), and congratulate the 2018 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Investigative Merit Award recipients.

The mission of the MCINCR/MCBQ Command Inspector General is to promote combat support readiness and program efficiency of subordinate commands and tenant activities, as required, in accordance with the Marine Corps Inspector General Program. This includes, but is not limited to, effectiveness, efficiency, discipline, morale, economy, ethics, and integrity.

On February 22, 2017, the U.S. Marine Corps was notified of gender discrimination and harassment occurring on social media sites, as illustrated by Marines United, a private Facebook group. Within days of notification, the Marine Corps and NCIS took action to investigate the defamatory matter and provide support services for all impacted by the online misconduct. The subsequent investigation, entitled ``Operations Purple Harbor,'' analyzed the countless degrading images, comments, and videos to identify more than 100 victims and locate those responsible for posting the explicit material online.

Through the collection of evidence, interviews of witnesses, interrogations of subjects, and coordination with various law enforcement agencies (both federal and civilian), the Marines and civilians were able to assist victims in obtaining justice for their images being circulated without their knowledge or consent, and subsequently change the way the Marine Corps views social media misconduct.

It is my honor to include in the Record the following names as the 2018 Prince William Chamber of Commerce-Investigative Merit Award recipients for their extraordinary dedication and outstanding performance in initiating, investigating, and consequently resolving ``Operation Purple Harbor'':

Warrant Officer Nicholas Van Effen.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Bates.

Gunnery Sergeant Paul Lawless.

Staff Sergeant Ryan Martin.

Staff Sergeant Daniel Walker.

Sergeant Shawn Foley.

Sergeant Cody Smith.

Sergeant Andrew Timms.

Sergeant Mica Hamons.

Sergeant Sean Lyon.

Mrs. Estrella Carpenter.

Ms. Liane Best.

Sergeant Logan McEachern.

Mr. Speaker, sexual harassment and gender discrimination must never be tolerated in any arena. We have all seen the courage of those who have dared to speak out against these wrongs despite negative public scrutiny or damage to their reputations or even their livelihoods. I stand with all who promote safe environments free of discrimination, harassment, or fear. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 2018 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Investigative Merit Award recipients of the Criminal Investigative Division of the Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region located at Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a remarkable group of individuals who are making invaluable contributions to our Northern Virginia community. Founded in 1927, Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) has provided assistance to tens of thousands of individuals who otherwise might have gone without the most basic of needs. NVFS does this through a variety of services, including homelessness prevention & housing, early childhood development, health & nutrition, mental health, foster care, and youth initiatives services.

One program that deserves special recognition is the Training Futures program. Training Futures works with motivated, talented unemployed or under-employed individuals who have been largely overlooked in our communities, and who lack the skills needed to obtain better paying jobs offering real futures. Over the course of the six-month program, clients attend classes and programs designed to develop tactical office skills, including a Microsoft Office certificate that will better prepare them for a full-time, office-support position.

Through this training, graduates gain the skills, confidence, and cultural know-how to excel in professional, office support positions across industries. This creates a powerful and diverse talent pipeline for local businesses. Over the last twenty years, Training Futures has graduated over 2,200 individuals, with 75 percent of those individuals obtaining employment in office careers within six months of graduation. These jobs not only pay 60-65 percent more on average than what these graduates previously earned, but they also provide regular schedules and real opportunities for professional growth and promotion.

I meet often with Fortune 500 companies in my district, and a constant refrain among leadership is the difficulty in finding qualified applicants to fill their vacancies. This program and others like it help fill that gap, and put skilled professionals in positions throughout Northern Virginia. This provides economic benefits not only to our community, but to the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole.

It is my honor to include in the Record the names of the 2018 Training Futures graduates:

Bahtiye Top, Beatriz Silva Aldana, Caroline Thai, Catalin Enamorado, Chiharu Adams, Edith Chistelle Toukam, Elias Abebe, Elizabeth Degeffa, Ester Lopez, Eyob Gebremariam, Fannie Ndemou, Fatima Khachab, Fatma Saeed, Feyzan Hajiesmailoo, Geraldine Sierra Parrado, Jonathan Angles, Koshan Jelani, Kyung Wha Hong, Manal Abdelmalak, Mieraf Demissie, Muna Addus, Nasser El Kekli, Neelad Haidari, Nibret Kebede, Roxana Saravia Ortiz, Salome Messa, Seung Hee Lee, Sophia Hassen, Steven Smaw, Tariq Habib, Tsering Choedon, Victoria Slaughter, Wendy Medrano, Zabiullah Nekzad, Zarema Dugrichilova.

Mr. Speaker, programs like Training Futures provide invaluable experiences for their graduates, while also helping them to create a better life for themselves and their families. I congratulate all of the graduates of this year's Training Futures program, as well as the Board of Directors and staff of Northern Virginia Family Service for all they do to make our community a better place. I ask my colleagues to please join me in wishing them great success in all their future endeavors

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a dedicated group of men and women in Northern Virginia. Every year, each member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors selects two people from his or her district who have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service, heroism, or other exceptional commitments and contributions to our community. Since the program's inception in 1984, approximately 600 individuals have earned the honor of being named a Lord or Lady Fairfax by his or her representative on the Board of Supervisors.

This year, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will recognize those individuals who have made tremendous impacts through their support of our public schools, parks, youth sports leagues, arts community, public safety, and human service programs. It is nearly impossible to fully describe the diversity of accomplishments of the honorees. Their efforts contribute greatly to the quality of life for the residents of Fairfax County, and are worthy of our praise and sincere appreciation.

It is my honor to include in the Record the names of the 2018 Lords and Ladies Fairfax:

At-Large: Lady Gretchen Bulova and Lord Edward L. Long, Jr.

Braddock District: Lady Meena Bhinge and Lord Tom Kennedy

Dranesville District: Lady Carole L. Herrick and Lord Jeff Fairfield

Hunter Mill District: Lady Carmen L. Powell and Lord Ronald Copeland

Lee District: Lady Annetta Sheriff and Lord Robert Kohm

Mason District: Lady Sarah Shannon and Lord Melvin L. Cotner

Mount Vernon District: Lady Catherine C. Ledec and Lord Colonel Marion ``Barney'' L. Barnwell

Providence District: Lady Fran Wallingford and Lord Tom Fleury

Springfield District: Lady Lori Stillman and Lord Harold Y. Pyon

Sully District: Lady Alice Foltz and Lord Steven Vandivere

In addition, several students will be recognized as Celebrate Fairfax Community Spirit Scholars and Emerging Artist Scholars. I congratulate the following honorees on receiving these awards:

Community Spirit Scholars: Kyle Gatesman, Sohale Hessavi, Cooper Rapp, Vandana Subramanian, Charisma Henry, Samantha Lane, Jonathan Daniel, Justin Laiti, Christine Shan, Sherry Xie

Emerging Artist Scholars: Cameron Hobbs, Sun Ahn

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending and expressing our gratitude to these men and women who volunteer their time and energy on behalf of our community. Their efforts provide immeasurable benefits to their fellow residents and serve to strengthen and enrich the Fairfax County community

Mr. Chairman, I thank my dear friend from Indiana and his staff and thank the majority manager and her staff for their leadership on this bill.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of section 8129, particularly, of this bill. This section, Mr. Chairman, would finally allow the Secretary of Defense, in the event of a government shutdown, to make military death gratuity payments to families of fallen servicemembers.

I commend the committee for including this long overdue provision, which was my number one priority request to the committee and the subject of bipartisan legislation I have introduced in every Congress. I was pleased to colead that with my friend Tom Rooney of Florida.

It was shameful that Congress previously would allow the government to shut down and allow grieving families of fallen servicemembers to go without this small, impartial measure of our appreciation and gratitude for their loved one's ultimate service. Sadly, that is what happened in the shutdown of October 2013 and the subsequent shutdown of January 2018. We must ensure this never happens again. The action taken by the committee pursuant to the bill we introduced does just that.

I want to again thank the committee for righting a wrong. No grieving family should worry when Congress doesn't do its job and allows the funding of the government to lapse that their payments remembering their loved ones and the sacrifice they made are at risk--never again.

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for their leadership. I thank the committee for righting this wrong. I am proud to have co-authored the bill that allowed us to get to this point.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of Section 8129 of this bill.

This section would allow the Secretary of Defense, in the event of a government shutdown, to make military death gratuity payments to families of fallen service members.

I commend the Committee for including this long overdue provision, which was my number one priority request to the Committee and the subject of bipartisan legislation I have introduced with my colleague Representative Tom Rooney of Florida.

It is shameful that Congress would allow the government to shut down and allow grieving military families to go without this small and partial measure of our gratitude for their loved one's service.

Sadly, that is what happened in October 2013 and January 2018.

We must ensure that it never happens again.

Thank you again to the Chairman and Ranking Member for being responsive to the more than 200 members who have cosponsored the Families of Fallen Servicemembers First Act (H.R. 1928) and the two dozen veterans organizations who have endorsed the bill.

But most importantly, thank you for caring for our military families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Joyce-Gillespie- Harrington Charitable and Educational Foundation and the Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on the occasion of their 38th annual Black and Gold Scholarship Ball.

Since 1980, these two organizations have made tremendous contributions to promoting academic opportunities for youth in Northern Virginia and in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan region.

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, the foundation's continued support of these students is absolutely crucial.

I am pleased to include in the Record the following names of the 2018 scholarship winners:

Abderraouf Deghdegh (Lee HS)

Adriana Jones (Heritage HS)

Alyse Johnson (Herndon HS)

Barrington Taylor (McNamara HS)

Clarence Brown III (Colgan Sr. HS)

Colin Dickens (Edison HS)

Dean James (Broad Run HS)

Kelcey Parks Jr. (Marshall HS)

Kyle Gatesman (TJHSST)

Reina Hudspeth (Centreville HS)

Mr. 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 27th Annual Best of Reston Awards for Community Service. These awards are the result of collaboration between Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, and are presented to individuals, organizations, and businesses whose extraordinary efforts make our community a better place.

I have been proud to represent this community since my days as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The level of civic engagement celebrated by these awards is a testament to the community spirit of Reston. I have often said that civic engagement is a key indicator of a healthy community, and tonight's event proves that Reston continues to be one of the healthiest communities in all of Northern Virginia. This is due in no small part to the actions of those honored here this evening, and I extend my congratulations to all of tonight's honorees. I also wish to thank Sara Leonard and Kerrie Wilson of Cornerstones, and Charles Kapur and Mark Ingrao of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for their tireless efforts on behalf of others and in making our community one of the best places in the country in which to live, work, and raise a family.

It is my honor to include in the Record the following recipients of the 2018 Best of Reston Awards:

Marybeth Haneline--Engineering Inclusion and Making an

Impact

Leslie Kane--Revealing the Beauty of Kindness

Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation--Launching Young

Lives

Terry Redican--Reston's Coach for all Seasons

Andy Sigle--Support that Sings

SOSi--Serving Those Who Serve

The 2018 Vade Bolton-Ann Rodriguez Legacy Award--Entrusting

Our Community's Future Recipient:

South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry--Food from Heart

to Heart

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 2018 Best of Reston honorees for their tremendous contributions. I thank Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for continuing this wonderful tradition, and I express my sincere gratitude to these individuals, businesses, and organizations for lending their time and energy to the betterment of our community.