Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was absent on November 12, 2024. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 456; NAY on Roll Call No. 457; NAY on Roll Call No. 458.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act. This bill is a critical step to ensure fair treatment for hardworking Americans who have dedicated their lives to public service. In Virginia alone, nearly 8,000 individuals are unfairly impacted by the Government Pension Offset, and over 46,000 Virginians suffer from reduced Social Security benefits due to the Windfall Elimination Provision. These provisions penalize teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other dedicated public servants, denying them benefits they have rightfully earned. We must correct these inequities. Most public servants aren't in it for the money--rather, they've decided to work in government because they want to serve their country. For their dedication to service, they should be rewarded, not penalized for their well-earned pension.

Those affected by WEP and GPO are unfairly penalized because these provisions reduce or even eliminate Social Security benefits for retirees who have paid into the system over the course of their careers. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) decreases Social Security benefits for individuals who receive pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security, such as teachers or local government workers, regardless of their income or total lifetime contributions. In reality, this results in a situation wherein workers who have paid into the system but split their careers between covered and non-covered employment see a disproportionate reduction in benefits.

The Government Pension Offset (GPO) adds to this unfairness by reducing spousal or survivor benefits by two-thirds of the individual's government pension, affecting many retirees who rely on spousal benefits for financial stability. This provision especially impacts lower-income retirees, such as widows, who can lose most or all of their benefits simply because they served in public-sector roles. In short, these provisions punish individuals and their families for dedicating their lives to public service, and make it harder for such individuals to have a secure retirement.

Through this bill, which repeals WEP and GPO, we can provide much- needed relief to public sector retirees and their families who often rely in part on Social Security benefits for financial security. This bill is about fairness, equity, and honoring our commitment to individuals who have served their communities. As such, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Fairfax County History Commission on the occasion of the 20th Annual Fairfax County History Conference.

Since 1969, the Fairfax County History Commission has worked to identify, document, record and preserve the history of our region. There are few areas in the country that are as rich in history as our area is. The History Conference provides an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year while recognizing our neighbors who have made significant contributions to preserving and promoting our local history. Through the dedicated efforts of the History Commission and its many volunteers, we are assured that our history will not be lost and will be available for future generations.

This year, a number of dedicated individuals are being honored for their commitment to the preservation and education of history. I am proud to include in the Record their names:

Dr. Glenn Fatzinger received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his career as a distinguished historian and educator.

Tom Shoop received the Nan Netherton Award for his book, ILDA, that brings to life the stories and history of a small, interracial enterprising village in Fairfax County.

Etta Wilson, Rita Colbelt, Linneall Naylor, and Rondia Prescott with Jenee Lindner received the Cultural Engagement Heritage Award for their book, Black Communities of Fairfax -- A History, that serves as an anthology of Fairfax County's rich Black Heritage.

Gibran Parvez received the Edith Moore Sprouse Award for the creation of his website, Heritage Dulles, that is an interactive online map and historical essay allowing readers to explore the area within and around Dulles Airport over multiple time periods.

Dr. Krystyn Moon, Kristin Neun, Dr. Matt Bakker, and Janine Dewitt received the Beth Mitchell Award for their website, Documenting Exclusion & Resilience, that examines the racial dynamics among property owners in Northern Virginia and Fairfax County.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating all the honorees and thanking the Fairfax County History Commission for the important work they do for the Northern Virginia community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leila Gordon on the occasion of her retirement. Leila has served as the Executive Director of the Reston Community Center (RCC) for nearly 17 years, and her leadership, commitment to service, and passion for her community will be dearly missed.

Leila Gordon moved to Northern Virginia in 1969 and has resided in the area intermittently ever since. She first fell in love with Northern Virginia while attending James Madison High School in Vienna. After graduating, she studied theater in college and soon found herself working for a theater in Georgia, but she hoped to return to Northern Virginia.

She luckily got her chance when a position opened up at the Reston Community Center for supervising arts education classes. Shortly after starting, she was promoted to department head and continued in that position until being selected for the role of Executive Director.

In her role as Executive Director, Leila oversaw an enthusiastic team of more than 300 full-time and seasonal professionals. Each year, RCC offers positive, self-development experiences that enhance the quality of life for all people living and working in Reston. They also create and sustain community traditions through special events, outreach activities, and facility rentals.

During her tenure, RCC experienced tremendous growth and received numerous accolades celebrating RCC's facilities, programming, and sustainability. Notably in October 2020 they earned accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), a mark of an agency's excellence in its leadership, management, operations, programs, and services. CAPRA assures policymakers, department employees, and the public that RCC can provide programs, facilities, and services with integrity. This designation is in no small part due to the dedication and passion of Leila Gordon and the entire team at RCC.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Leila Gordon for her years of service to our community. Her love for Reston and its residents was always apparent. Leila worked tirelessly to ensure that Reston Community Center enriches lives and builds community for all of Reston. I wish her the best for all of her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Judith Dittman, Chief Executive Officer of Second Story. Judith has been serving communities in Northern Virginia through Second Story since 1995. Since 1972, Second

Story has worked closely with youth and families across Northern Virginia through strategic programs to help them work toward self- sufficiency as well as break cycles of homelessness, abuse, and poverty. As Chief Executive Officer, Judith has used her background of almost 30 years in nonprofit management and advocacy to obtain more services for at-risk, abused, homeless and runaway youth--including opening seven new programs since 2004 targeted to this population. Because of Judith, thousands of youths and families have been able to write their Second Stories.

Judith has served on federal panels to develop standards for federally funded programs serving runaway, homeless, and street youth. She also was a Greater Washington Nonprofit Roundtable Fellow. She has presented at numerous National Conferences on topics relevant to youth and young adults. Judith serves on the Policy Advisory Committee for the National Network for Youth. She is a member of the Successful Children and Youth Policy Team of Fairfax County as a former Board Member for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Advisory Board.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Judith Dittman for her tremendous efforts as a leader in Northern Virginia communities, as she celebrates her retirement after 30 years with Second Story.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peter F. Murphy on the occasion of his retirement. Appointed in December 1982 to represent the Springfield District on the Fairfax County Planning Commission, Pete has left a remarkable legacy of leadership, public service, and community building. His tenure has profoundly shaped Fairfax County's development and growth.

For more than 40 years, Pete served with unwavering commitment, including as the Commission Chairman for 34 years--a role in which he guided the county through major development initiatives, land use decisions, and infrastructure projects. His leadership on the Commission has ensured that Fairfax County maintained growth, ensuring a balance between development and preserving the county's quality of life.

Beyond his service on the Planning Commission, Pete was active in various key county initiatives. He chaired the County's Telecommunications Task Force, served on the Route 28 Corridor Task Force, and provided leadership in the Fort Belvoir Engineer Proving Ground Task Force. These projects are a testament to his expertise in understanding the long-term needs of the region and his ability to guide complex development processes.

Pete's contributions to Fairfax County extend far beyond planning and land use. He was instrumental in helping Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. grow into a significant regional event. His involvement as a member of the Board of Directors reflects his deep commitment to fostering community engagement. He also worked closely with regional organizations and task forces to ensure that Fairfax County remained a leader in addressing the challenges of transportation, housing, and infrastructure.

His dedication has been recognized with multiple awards, including the prestigious Department of the Army Commander's Award for Public Service and the Lawrence V. Fowler Award. He was also named a Lord Fairfax in 1999, and in 2013, he was honored with the Celebrate Fairfax Ambassador Award.

Beyond his service to Fairfax County, he has also been a leader in the private sector, contributing to public relations and communications. He is an Honorary Chief of the Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department and has continually exemplified leadership throughout his life.

Mr. Speaker, Peter F. Murphy's commitment to public service is seen through his tireless work on behalf of the people of Fairfax County. His vision and tireless efforts have made our community a better place to live and work, and his legacy will continue to impact generations to come. I commend him for his service and ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Women's Center. For five decades, the Women's Center has provided mental health counseling, support, and education to the metropolitan area to help people live healthy, stable, and productive lives.

Since its founding in 1974, the Women's Center has grown to include services to all gender identities, families, young adults, and children. They have strived to fulfil their mission to significantly improve the mental health and well-being of all members of our community. The Women's Center offers a range of services, like individual, couples, and family counseling, group therapy, education workshops and training, and domestic violence and sexual assault services.

In 2023 alone, they were able to reach over 3,500 people with 33,668 hours of service. Sixty-seven percent of those clients received services at a reduced fee or no cost. All 487 domestic violence survivor clients received free domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy services, with 96 percent reporting enhanced safety and 93 percent reporting improved mental health.

Over the past year, 1,459 community members received 20,772 hours of individual, couples, and family mental health counseling. The Women's Center also provided 7,887 callers with important information, including vital information about programs for children and teens, suicide prevention, behavioral and mental health, career programs, and more.

In addition to the mental health and counseling work the Women's Center does for their clients, they also host an annual Leadership Conference filled with speakers, breakout sessions, and opportunities to build strategic connections. This event is part of the education and career enrichment services that help people gain confidence in their skills to find paid work, achieve financial stability, navigate complicated legal processes, and improve work-life balance.

All of this incredible work is made possible by the staff, volunteers, and Board of the Women's Center. Over the past five decades, the Women's Center has expanded their programming, opened new locations, and updated their services as the needs of the community changed. This adaptability has been a strength for the organization throughout its history, and especially during the pandemic. The needs of their clients changed, as well as the vehicle to receive services, and the Women's Center was able to take that in stride and continue serving our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Women's Center. The Women's Center has remained an incredible resource for our community because they are focused on providing trauma informed, caring, and compassionate care that is accessible to those who need it. I thank them for all that they do for Northern Virginia and cheers to another 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize ArtsFairfax and the recipients of the 2024 Arts Awards. These awards recognize the extraordinary contributions of artists, arts organizations, individuals, and businesses in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church that support the arts in our community.

Founded in 1964, the formally named Arts Council of Fairfax County, Inc. is a non-profit organization designated as Fairfax County's local arts agency. Today, ArtsFairfax operates programs and initiatives that include grant opportunities, arts advocacy, education, and professional development opportunities for arts and culture organizations.

ArtsFairfax envisions a thriving arts and culture community accessible to all of Fairfax County. To support this vision, ArtsFairfax awarded over $591,000 in County, public, and private funds through competitive grants and awards to 58 organizations for FY2025. Among those awardees, 81 percent are women-led, 28 percent have BIPOC leadership, and 24 percent are led by veterans. These figures reflect ArtsFairfax's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility when it comes to the arts. The Arts Awards honors supporters of the arts in four categories: the Jinx Hazel Arts Award, the Philanthropy Award, the Achievement Award, and the Innovation Award.

It is my honor to include in the Record the following names of the 2024 Arts Awards Recipients:

The 2024 Jinx Hazel Arts Award, ArtsFairfax's premier award recognizing an individual or organization whose vision and commitment has helped shape the cultural life of Fairfax County, will be presented to the Peterson Family Foundation.

The 2024 Philanthropy Award will be presented to Anne Kline.

The 2024 Achievement Award will be presented to Shu-Chen Cuff.

The 2024 Innovation Award will be presented to We Rock Cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of the 2024 Arts Awards and recognizing the visionaries, leaders, and supporters who help to make our Northern Virginia communities rich with cultural opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the graduates of the 162nd Class. As they prepare to join the ranks of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, I encourage the 33 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 24-week program. In addition to two weeks of orientation, recruits completed nine weeks of EMT training and eleven 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 1, 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.

Fairfax County is fortunate to have such excellent ambassadors for our community and I commend them for all that 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 162nd Recruit Class graduates join the department as integral parts of our community's emergency response and public safety team. I am confident that 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 162nd Recruit Class:

Oscar A. Arias, James M. Pack, Andy G. Avila, Luke W. Pavlovich, Matthew W. Barker,

Eliezer Pena, James K. Barr, Brandon L. Pfahler, Scott W. Ellison, Kaitlyn L. Roberts, Pablo J. Fabucci, Mohammad A. Sahib Zada, Joseph A. Fioramonti, Ian P. Salata, Connell F. Friel, Michael A. Scopellite.

Campbell K. Hunt, Joshua S. Shepherd, Mason L. Insisiengmay, Isaac Z. Spar, Dominique M. Johnson, Andrew J. Sudlow, Jonesy K. Jones, Dylan P. Van Stry, Celeste N. Keeley, Michael D. Vito, Douglas M. Kyle Jr., James M. Whalen, Joshua F. Layman, Zhizhou Wu, Connor G. Mullins, Ryan M. Zimmerman, Roman A. Olszewski.

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. Stay safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Centreville Immigration Forum on its 7th Annual Celebrate Diversity Dinner. The theme of this year's gala is ``Celebrating a Community United for Justice'' and will recognize the rich diversity of cultures in Northern Virginia. The Centreville Immigration Forum has done tremendous work in Northern Virginia to support our immigrant community by implementing sustainable programs that provide immigrants in need with the means to improve their lives and become more integrated into the community.

Northern Virginia is blessed by its diversity. In Fairfax County, nearly one in four residents are foreign born. More than 200 languages are spoken in our schools, and we are home to more minority-owned technology firms than anywhere else in the nation. Our variety of cultures and heritages do not divide us, they make us stronger.

Three exceptional individuals will be honored during this gala who have gone above and beyond in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their country of origin, has full access to the benefits and opportunities this community and our Nation provide. I am pleased to include in the Record the names of the following 2024 Annual Dinner honorees:

Elena De Leon

Elena De Leon is a Mayan Ixil woman from Nebaj, Guatemala. She is an entrepreneur, creator, and designer who makes clothing using traditional weaving. Elena combines her traditions with modem trends to design unique looks. Her clothing celebrates her culture, history, and preserves traditional loom weaving techniques. She brings life to her designs and her work brings visibility to her culture and traditions. She has traveled around the country to show her fashion, and she even had an opportunity to show in Dubai. She lives in Centreville, VA, and has been a member of Centreville Immigration Forum since 2018.

Juan Andres Mascunana

Juan Andres, a citizen of Spain and a Pharmacist from the University of Alcala de Henares, worked as a Pharmaceutical Executive for over 35 years in several countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States (three time periods), Puerto Rico, and Switzerland.

His career in developing and manufacturing medicine included work with Eli Lilly (18 years), Novartis (12 years) and Moderna (6 years). After leading the global Novartis Manufacturing unit in Switzerland, Juan and his family moved to the Boston area to work for Moderna where he led the technical development and the manufacturing of the Covid vaccine for the world. As Moderna's VP and then President for Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise Expansion, Juan led his team in establishing the highest-quality production of more than 800 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in one year, 2021.

Juan continues to be passionate about medicine, vaccines, and treatments for cancer since his retirement in 2023.

Karol Escalante Herrera

Karol is the Fairfax County Director of Immigrant Community Affairs. She is part of the One Fairfax team and has more than 15 years of experience working with key topics related to immigration, community engagement, public policy, diversity, inclusion, and strategic planning.

Karol is currently developing and implementing a comprehensive countywide plan for ensuring that Fairfax County is a welcoming community for immigrants with opportunities for integration, community well-being and economic success.

She served as a diplomat in the Foreign Service of Honduras for approximately 8 years, and her last post was in Chicago, IL, as Consul General of Honduras. During that time, she worked on daily bases supporting the Honduran community and developed new strategies to be able to create programs that will have a positive impact on Hondurans in areas like immigration, human and labor rights, education, and financial literacy.

Mr. Speaker, the efforts of these individuals are noteworthy not only because they are rooted in an appreciation for our region's cultural and ethnic diversity, but also because they help to strengthen the bonds of friendship

and cooperation in our community. I congratulate them on their awards and ask my colleagues to join me in commending them for their service to the Northern Virginia region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Fairfax. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Central Fairfax 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 awards to recognize extraordinary actions above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of categories including the Unit Citation Award, Individual Lifesaving Award, Unit Lifesaving Award, Silver Citizen Award, and Gold Citizen Award.

It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following Valor Award Recipients:

Unit Citation Award: Swiftwater 433; Captain John Jeniec, Lieutenant Scott Trottman, Master Technician Chris Cubbage, and Master Firefighter Derek Slusher.

Individual Lifesaving Award: Samuel Dee, Master Police Officer and Noah Glover, Officer.

Unit Lifesaving Award: Rescue Engine 433, Medic 403, Battalion 443: Assistant Chief Shawn Dunstan, Captain Jonithan Brantley, Master Technician Skylar Turnbull, Master Fire Medic Cory Gillespie, Master Fire Medic Tre Benefield, Lieutenant Tyler McLaurin, Fire Medic Eric Ransom, and Fire Medic Conor Ryan.

Silver Citizen Award: Cameron Welke.

Gold Citizen Award: Jim Etter.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2024 Fairfax's Finest Valor Awards Recipients and thank all of the men and women who keep our community safe. 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 congratulate Insight Memory Care Center (IMCC) of Fairfax, Virginia, on its 40th Anniversary, and to acknowledge the exceptional work this nonprofit organization has done in supporting individuals with memory-related impairments, as well as providing education and resources to their families.

Founded in 1984 as the Alzheimer's Family Day Center, IMCC was created to serve those who were overlooked by existing community services, particularly individuals in the middle to late stages of dementia and those facing behavioral challenges. The recent name change reflects its expanded mission, as IMCC offers a wide range of services beyond just Alzheimer's care.

Starting as an adult day health center with only three participants, IMCC eventually grew from a church basement to a spacious 15,000 square foot facility in 2015 that now serves over 50 individuals each day. In January 2022, IMCC marked a significant milestone by opening its second location, an Early-Stage Center in Sterling, Virginia. It is currently the only dementia-specific day center in the DC metro area and the sole adult day health center in Northern Virginia offering specialized programs for those in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease. IMCC envisions a community where individuals with memory impairments can enjoy a high quality of life, while their families and caregivers receive essential counseling, education, and support.

IMCC's innovative educational and support initiatives include caregiver classes, community trainings, professional seminars, support groups, individual consultations, and home visits. These programs empower family members to be effective caregivers and foster greater awareness and understanding of dementia within the community. I would like to express my gratitude to Executive Director Anita Irvin and the dedicated staff, whose diverse skills and backgrounds have positively impacted over 1,500 individuals and countless families with their services.

IMCC's outstanding efforts have earned it well-deserved recognition, including multiple accolades as one of the ``Best Small Charities in the Washington Region'' by the Catalogue for Philanthropy, and the title of Adult Day Center of the Year from the National Adult Day Services Association.

IMCC exemplifies a leading organization that's highlighted the urgent need for our nation to increase investments in Alzheimer's and dementia care, treatment, and services. Their impactful work serves as a compelling reminder of the positive difference we can make when we prioritize this critical issue.

Mr Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating IMCC on 40 years of impactful service and in thanking its staff, volunteers, and supporters for their unwavering commitment to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing October as National Spine Health Awareness Month.

In the U.S. 100 million people suffer from neck or back conditions every year according to the CDC. Back pain is the number one cause of missed workdays, the leading cause of job-related disability and pain in the U.S., and the most common non-cancer related reason for an opioid prescription in the U.S. In addition, those with back and neck pain are four times more likely to become clinically depressed.

The National Spine Health Foundation, located in my district in Reston, Virginia, is the only national patient-centered non-profit dedicated to helping patients overcome debilitating spinal conditions and take back their lives.

During the past 6 years, the Foundation has renewed its commitment to and has developed award winning patient education, advocacy, and research work to give patients the tools they need to make informed decisions about their spine health and navigate their own treatment journeys with confidence.

This past year, the Foundation formed an Opioid and Spine Health Task Force. Chronic low back pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain in adults worldwide. The goal of the Task Force is providing people suffering from back pain with information on effective alternatives to opioid use that can help them reduce and manage pain.

The Foundation also has formed a Spine & Bone Health Task Force. Osteoporosis is at epidemic levels in our nation, and it causes debilitating fractures in the spine more than anywhere else in the body. In response to this epidemic that affects both women and men, which occurs at younger ages than ever before, this Task Force is addressing the need for patient education by creating digital and internet resources, free to the public. In addition, NSHF has conducted independent research to determine better ways of diagnosing osteoporosis in spine patients who need surgery, and this research has won the highest award, being named ``Best Paper'' by the North American Spine Society.

The Foundation continues to be strongly committed to spine health research. Patient reported outcomes have long been part of the fabric of NSHF since its inception. As they are deeply invested in supporting evidence-based health care decision making, it is important to be part of the process of creating the evidence. Their cloud-based research tool called `Spine-online' enables them to conduct multi-center studies and partner with research teams both in the U.S. and internationally Active studies are currently occurring on robotic surgery, enhanced surgical recovery, augmented reality, genetic basis for personalized spine treatments, stem cell therapy, and more.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the importance of good spinal health and thanking the NSHF and the health care providers who help spine and neck patients, not just in October, but all year long.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC).

In 1964, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson passed the Urban Mass Transit Act, which pumped $375 million over three years into public transit projects across the nation. The Virginia General Assembly followed suit by creating the Northern Virginia Transportation District to plan and construct a transportation network that promoted safety, convenience, and economic growth. The Commission did not waste time, starting work on a rapid transit system that first year.

Today, NVTC serves as a regional forum for discussion and analysis of transit issues. NVTC is charged with the funding and stewardship of WMATA and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), which it co-owns. Northern Virginia is also home to six bus systems, for which NVTC works across jurisdictional boundaries to coordinate transit service.

Over the last six decades, NVTC has been instrumental in transforming transit in the Northern Virginia region. From establishing the WMATA compact in 1966 to working with the Virginia General Assembly to create a bus rapid transit (BRT) system connecting Tysons and Alexandria, NVTC has taken big steps to connect our region in innovative ways. NVTC represents a jurisdiction of 2 million people, with 740,000 households, and over 1.3 million jobs, which is no small undertaking. The half mile of property around Metrorail stations is just 3 percent of the region's land, but it contains 30 percent of the property value, 40 percent of the jobs, and 50 percent of the new apartments. Promoting well- connected and expansive transit creates opportunities for growth, and NVTC has embraced that mission on behalf of our region.

As NVTC begins its next 60 years, the organization is striving to meet its goals for the region. Increasing the capacity of the regional transit network by expanding and improving the quality, coverage, and frequency of new and existing systems is a top priority. NVTC is also continuing to look for ways to improve access and mobility throughout Northern Virginia by connecting regional and local transit systems.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating this milestone for the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. NVTC has become a champion for commuters across the region, an advocate for sustainable transit funding, and a leading voice on transportation policy throughout the Commonwealth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Reverend Dr. Paul Anthony Sheppard, a native of Fairfax County, Virginia, who possesses a God-given desire to serve people. He describes himself as ``a humble and committed soldier on the battlefield of life trying to destroy the vicious armies of Satan.'' He attended Howard University, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Sociology in 1991.

Pastor Sheppard was licensed to preach the Gospel on March 21, 1993, and was ordained on December 10, 2000, at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. He earned his Master of Theology Degree from Wilbur H. Waters School of Religion and Theological Seminary in 2003.

In April 2017, Pastor Sheppard received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from St. Thomas Christian University in Jacksonville, Florida for his committed service in the community and abroad, and for his preaching ministry.

Pastor Sheppard aims to help people apply timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives. He formerly served as a certified instructor and advisor teaching Ministerial Counseling and Psychology of Religion. He was inducted into the Savannah State University Foundation Hall of Fame for his community activism and service. He is especially passionate about youth and elders. He feels: ``When you bridge the gap between the two groups, you can create a very powerful society with the youth absorbing much wisdom and knowledge.''

Rev. Sheppard has been extremely active in civic and community organizations serving on numerous civic and non-profit advisory boards in the Savannah and Chatham County areas. He was a member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (I.M.A.), partnering with several organizations to bring about educational and economic empowerment. Rev. Sheppard also served as President of the Georgia Fellowship of Churches through the National Baptist Convention of America, International, Inc.

Throughout his ministry he has participated in symposiums discussing social issues, economic development, and religious thought concerning the contemporary church in the 21st century. He also worked with the Governor of Virginia where he spearheaded the Voting Restoration Rights for felons through the Peninsula Baptist Pastor's Council.

Pastor Sheppard has established numerous ministries that have transformed congregations and communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. In 2019, after much prayer and fasting, Pastor Sheppard's path guided him to lead the First Baptist Church of Merrifield in Falls Church, Virginia.

He currently serves as the 3rd Vice Moderator of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association and is extremely active in civic organizations that uplift multi-generational interests in topics such as media, politics, and education. In February 2024, he traveled with a missionary group serving an orphanage and community in South Africa.

He is married to the former Esther Morris whom he cherishes dearly. Out of this beautiful union, they are blessed with one son, Justin Gregory Milton Sheppard. Pastor Sheppard's favorite Bible verse: ``I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me''--Philippians 4:13.

Mr Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Dr. Sheppard for his tremendous efforts as a leader in our communities, as he celebrates his 5th Anniversary as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Merrifield.