Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a truly exceptional group of men and women who are being recognized as the 2017 Lords and Ladies Fairfax. 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 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 recipients of the Lord and Lady Fairfax awards will be recognized at the celebration of the 275th anniversary of Fairfax County. We are especially honored to welcome Lord Nicholas Fairfax, 14th Lord Fairfax of Cameron and his wife Lady Annabel Fairfax who have traveled from the United Kingdom to join in this celebration. Lord Nicholas shares a common lineage with Lord Thomas Fairfax,

6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron after whom Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax are named and who lived much of his life in Virginia.

The Lord and Lady Fairfax awards 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 2017 Lords and Ladies Fairfax:

At-Large: Lady Jane Miscavage and Lord John J. ``Jeff'' Lisanick

Braddock District: Lady Mary Drake Cortina and Lord Kevin Morse

Dranesville District: Lady Sally Horn and Lord Gary George Pan

Hunter Mill District: Lady Therese Martin and Lord Jerry Poje

Lee District: Lady Michelle Duell and Lord Richard J. Knapp

Mason District: Lady Rose Chu and Lord Daniel H. Aminoff

Mount Vernon District: Lady Mattie Lewis Palmore and Lord Dale S. Rumberger

Providence District: Lady Sue Kovach Shuman and Lord Phillip A. Niedzielski-Eichner

Springfield District: Lady Nancy-jo Manney and Lord Michael W. Thompson, Jr.

Sully District: Lady Trudy Harsh and Lord Michael R. Frey

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the 2017 Lords and Ladies Fairfax and in expressing our gratitude to these men and women who have dedicated themselves to the betterment of our community. Their efforts provide immeasurable benefits to Fairfax County and its residents, and are truly worthy of our highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2017 recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Woman in Sales Leadership Award presented by the Institute for Excellence in Sales & Business Development (IES).

IES was created to foster excellence in business sales and development practices and to help sales professionals and organizations maximize their efforts. IES conducts a variety of workshops and programs designed to provide the knowledge and tools necessary to advance the careers and growth of those who attend. Each year, IES recognizes individuals, teams, and organizations throughout the United States who demonstrate exemplary performance through leadership, risk taking, innovation, vision, and customer development.

Awards are presented in categories including Excellence in Sales Innovation, Excellence in Sales Training, Excellence in Sales Management, Excellence in Customer Partnering, and Excellence in Strategic Alliances. In addition, Lifetime Achievement Awards are bestowed to a select few who have demonstrated continued success and have made significant contributions in their fields.

The recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Awards is Mr. Paul Smith, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Public Sector for Red Hat, North America. In this capacity, Mr. Smith manages the Red Hat portfolio across the entire federal government, as well as the state and local marketplaces as it relates to education. Prior to joining Red Hat, Mr. Smith enjoyed successful careers at VERITAS, Netscape Communication and Oracle.

The recipient of the inaugural Woman in Sales Leadership Award is Ms. Mary Beth Cockerham, Vice-President of Sales for Deltek. In this capacity, Ms. Cockerham manages all sales personnel related to Deltek's GovWinIQ program, which provides business intelligence to companies that are pursuing public sector sales. Prior to joining Deltek, Ms. Cockerham spent 20 years with Sun Microsystems in a variety of data- related sales roles.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Paul Smith and Mary Beth Cockerham for their innovative and effective leadership and in congratulating them on receiving the 2017 IES Lifetime Achievement Award and Woman in Sales Leadership Award.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Volunteer Fairfax and express my sincere appreciation to recipients of the 25th Annual Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards.

Established more than 40 years ago, Volunteer Fairfax matches the skills and interests of thousands of volunteers with the needs of local non-profit organizations. The success of this model and its impact on delivery of needed services is beyond question; Volunteer Fairfax has been rated as one of the most effective community service organizations in the nation.

Last year alone, over 15,000 individuals volunteered directly through Volunteer Fairfax; an additional 1,700 employees volunteered through their employer's BusinessLink program and the value of volunteer services provided exceeded $4.5 million.

Each year, Volunteer Fairfax selects a few exceptional individuals, groups, or organizations to receive special recognition. It is my great pleasure to include in the Record the following names of the 2017 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards honorees:

Community Champions:

Braddock District: David Curtis

Dranesville District: Penny Halpern

Hunter Mill District: Raul and Maria Garza-Chapa

Lee District: Michel Margosis

Mason District: Gail Coleman

Mount Vernon District: Whitney Minnich

Providence District: Friends of Oakton Library

Springfield District: John Pellegrin

Sully District: Karrie Delaney

At-Large: John K. Wood

Adult Volunteer 250 Hours & Over: Gary Pan

Adult Volunteer 250 Hours & Under: Kate Walter

Adult Volunteer Group: Friends of Huntley Meadows

Corporate Volunteer Program: Deloitte LLP

Fairfax County Volunteer: Karla Jamir

Fairfax County Volunteer Program: CERT

Family Volunteer: Young Family

Integrate Individual: Carolina Calderon

Lifetime Achievement: Marie Monsen

Rising Star: Shannon Dart

RSVP Northern Virginia: Denise Mackey-Smith

Senior Volunteer: Bard Jackson

Volunteer Program: Wolf Trap First Time Campers Program

Youth Volunteer: Emma Houston

Youth Volunteer Group: Stony Brook Jr. Volunteers

In addition, Benchmark Honors will be awarded in four different categories to commend those who have contributed 100, 250, 500, or 1,000 hours of volunteer time to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Volunteer Fairfax for its decades of outstanding community service. I congratulate the recipients of the 2017 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards and thank them and the thousands of other local volunteers for their incredible contributions to our community. Their selfless dedication is worthy of our highest praise and is one of the main reasons that our community is often ranked as one of the best places in the country to work, and raise a family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a truly exceptional group of men and women who are being recognized as the 2017 Lords and Ladies Fairfax. 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 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 recipients of the Lord and Lady Fairfax awards will be recognized at the celebration of the 275th anniversary of Fairfax County. We are especially honored to welcome Lord Nicholas Fairfax, 14th Lord Fairfax of Cameron and his wife Lady Annabel Fairfax who have traveled from the United Kingdom to join in this celebration. Lord Nicholas shares a common lineage with Lord Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron after whom Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax are named and who lived much of his life in Virginia.

The Lord and Lady Fairfax awards 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 2017 Lords and Ladies Fairfax:

At-Large: Lady Jane Miscavage and Lord John J. ``Jeff' Lisanick

Braddock District: Lady Mary Drake Cortina and Lord Kevin Morse

Dranesville District: Lady Sally Horn and Lord Gary George Pan

Hunter Mill District: Lady Therese Martin and Lord Jerry Poje

Lee District: Lady Michelle Duell and Lord Richard J. Knapp

Mason District: Lady Rose Chu and Lord Daniel H. Aminoff

Mount Vernon District: Lady Mattie Lewis Palmore and Lord Dale S. Rumberger

Providence District: Lady Sue Kovach Shuman and Lord Phillip A. Niedzielski-Eichner

Springfield District: Lady Nancy-jo Manney and Lord Michael W. Thompson, Jr.

Sully District: Lady Trudy Harsh and Lord Michael R. Frey

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the 2017 Lords and Ladies Fairfax and in expressing our gratitude to these men and women who have dedicated themselves to the betterment of our community. Their efforts provide immeasurable benefits to Fairfax County and its residents, and are truly worthy of our highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Centreville Immigration Forum on the occasion of its 3rd Annual Dinner. The theme of this year's gala is ``Celebrating Our Global Community'' and will recognize the rich diversity of cultures in Northern Virginia.

Northern Virginia is blessed by its diversity. In Fairfax County, nearly l in 4 residents is foreign born. More than 100 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 2017 Annual Dinner honorees:

Ms. Diana Katz--Ms. Katz is a co-founder of the Giving Circle of Hope which provides grants to area non-profits with budgets below $2 million. She also co-founded NoVIE, a member driven, CEO-level forum that brings together ideas, knowledge and support to benefit the health and viability of social good organizations. She was the driving force behind the NV Rides program that provides transportation for the elderly, and has recently co-founded the Latino Engagement and Achievement Fund under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia. The Latino Engagement and Achievement Fund will be awarding its first grant this year.

Mr. Mukit Hossain (posthumously)--Mr. Hossain was a telecommunications executive in northern Virginia who became a grass- roots activist following the September 11 terrorist attacks. He was instrumental in encouraging fellow Muslims to become more politically engaged through his role as president of the Virginia Muslim Political Action Committee. In 2006, he joined with Jewish leaders to push successfully for a Virginia state law that made it illegal to falsely label kosher and halal foods. He started Food Source, an organization to feed the homeless in Fairfax, and used his organizing skills on behalf of undocumented workers--particularly as immigration became a defining political issue in Prince William and Loudoun counties. Prior to his sudden death in 2010 he was named Herndon Citizen of the Year and recognized for his community efforts in a joint resolution from the Virginia General Assembly.

Mr. Kofi Dennis--A Master Teaching Artist with Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through Arts since 1998, Mr. Dennis has shared his skills in drumming and story-telling with children and adults of all ages. He provides Arts integrated classroom residencies and professional development workshops in music and creative drama for early childhood educators locally, nationally and internationally. He has also brought drumming and storytelling to juveniles and prisoners in area jails. This past summer, he was part of a team of Wolf Trap master teaching artists and administrators who spent three weeks in Singapore. In collaboration with the National Arts Council and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), this team led programs to train, facilitate workshops, and conduct STEM residencies in arts integration for teachers, administrators and artists.

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 in recognition of Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William, Incorporated, and their 26 years of service to the adult learners residing in the Greater Prince William Area.

Founded in June 1991, by beloved librarian, Dana M. Swanson, Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William, Inc. is one of 1200 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations affiliated with ProLiteracy America, a nationwide organization dedicated to empowering, educating, and connecting adults through the establishment of a safer, stronger, and sustainable society.

Since its inception, Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William, Inc. has served over 8500 adults and positively impacted the social and economic wellbeing of 35,000 family members. Last year, the organization served over 700 adult learners with the assistance of more than 220 trained volunteer tutors. Community volunteers are trained to become tutors and are matched based on the needs of adults seeking to improve their literacy or English language skills. Provided services include small and large classroom tutoring, one-on-one tutoring, pre- GED and GED classes, basic literacy for English speakers and English as a second language learners, conversation classes, Naturalization test preparation, and job readiness training.

Each year, the dedicated staff reviews the progress of each student and asks tutors and students to provide feedback. This year, 93 percent of students have met a personal development goal. Feedback generally aligns with the organization's mission statement to teach adults the life-changing skills of reading, writing and speaking English that will enable them to confidently participate and prosper in society. I have the distinct pleasure of including in the Record the 2017 Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William, Inc.

Student of the Year: Noris Quintanilla

Born and raised in El Salvador, Noris has lived in the United States of America for the past 17 years and is a U.S. citizen. In 2012, Noris obtained her GED certificate and sought the assistance of Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William to further her education and transition into a career in office administration. Today, Noris volunteers at Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William, Inc. where she never misses the opportunity to learn something new. Her commitment to instruction and volunteerism has helped Noris hone her language skills, build her confidence, and inspire her peers.

Tutor of the Year: Amy Feinberg

Amy has volunteered with Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William, Inc. for the past six years where she has tutored in both classroom and individual settings. Over the past year, Amy has taught more than 100 students and provided more than 250 volunteer hours to the program. Amy inspires students with her kindness, patience, and compassion. As an active community volunteer, Amy takes great pride in helping others to succeed and in her role in building a stronger, more vibrant community.

Tutor of the Year: Alison Prevost

Alison has served as a volunteer with Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William, Inc. for the past 4 years. She has provided classroom tutoring to more than 100 students and has donated over 300 volunteer hours to adult literacy over the past year. Alison takes great pride in helping adults improve their literacy skills and become self-sufficient and active members of the community through Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William, Inc. and other community-based organizations.

Volunteer of the Year: Patti J. Beattie

For the past 15 years, Patti has shared her time and service with Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William, Inc. and its adult learners through multiple capacities as a volunteer tutor, dedicated member of the Board of Directors, tutor trainer, employee, and literacy advocate. In honor of her tireless efforts to our community, the Volunteer of the Year Award has been renamed in her honor. Patti is an active community volunteer, serving in multiple service organizations donating hundreds of hours each year to serve our local community. It is my honor to recognize Patti as the inaugural recipient of the Patti J. Beattie Volunteer of the Year Award recipient.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the 2017 Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William, Incorporated honorees and in thanking all students, tutors, volunteers, Board of Directors, and staff for their dedication, generosity, and commitment to adult literacy and its lasting impact on the Greater Prince William Area.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Fairfax County Health Department. Through a century of continuous service the department has distinguished itself as a national leader and a model public health department working to protect, promote and improve the quality of life for all its residents.

The origins of the Fairfax County Health Department can be traced back to April 1917, when the county launched a campaign for better health in the very same week that the United States would enter World War I. When the first public health physician and his successor were sent off to war, it left only one public health nurse to provide services for the entire county. Shortly after war's end the staff consisted of a full time health officer, one full time sanitation officer, one full time nurse and a part-time clerk, with funding provided by the Virginia State Health Department, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the County Chapter of the Red Cross, the Tuberculosis Association, and donations from private citizens.

In the early years, the Health Department was primarily concerned with the spread of infectious diseases like diphtheria, smallpox, tuberculosis and typhoid fever. With better sanitation, education, and immunization practices, many of these threats began to wane and the department's services began to expand to accommodate the county's growing population.

With more facilities and staff, the department was able to offer maternal and child health clinics, home health care, speech and hearing, dental, and school health services. At the same time, a systematic program of environmental health was developed to include sewage disposal, protection of water supplies, fly and mosquito control, and general cleanliness of dwellings, tourist places and food establishments.

Due to its long history of financial and leadership support for public health, in 1995 Fairfax County sought and was granted the authority to operate its own health department by

an act of the Virginia General Assembly. Since that change in legislative authority more than 20 years ago, the Fairfax County Health Department has become more efficient, effective, and responsive.

Throughout its history, the Health Department has been a leader in the prevention and control of communicable diseases. During the polio epidemic of the 1950s, Fairfax County participated in the Salk vaccine trials and became the first county in the United States to provide polio vaccine to its grade school children. In 1960s, it was the first department in the nation to participate in a mass measles vaccination trial program. And in 1989, when there was an outbreak of Ebola virus in monkeys at a laboratory in Reston, Virginia--an event dramatized in Richard Preston's book ``The Hot Zone''--Fairfax County Health Department was once again on the front lines of an emerging disease threat.

While the emphasis on communicable disease control and prevention has not changed, the Health Department has dedicated more of its resources to population-based health services that address disparities within its increasingly diverse community. The Health Department's Adult Day Health Care, Community Health Care Network, Skin Deep Tattoo Removal Program, HIV case management program, and Homeless Health Care program have been a model for other departments in Virginia and around the country. Research on newer and better methods of onsite sewage disposal have often originated in Fairfax County. The department's laboratory is the largest local public health laboratory in the Commonwealth, performing more than 200,000 scientific tests annually.

Since the terrorist acts of September II, 2001, the Health Department has assumed a first responder role with significant responsibility for a wide range of disaster planning and response activities. In response to lessons learned from the anthrax crisis, the Health Department organized a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) unit, a cadre of trained volunteers, to augment surge capacity during public health emergencies. In the years since, the Health Department has activated its Incident Management Team and the MRC in response to natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes, HI1N1 influenza pandemic, Ebola virus, Zika virus and other outbreak investigations.

The Fairfax County Health Department has achieved and sustained a well-earned reputation for excellence due in part to the dedication and compassion of its well-trained workforce, the quality and innovation of its programs and services, and the commitment of its leadership to continuous quality improvement. That commitment was demonstrated again in 2016 when the department achieved national accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the Fairfax County Health Department for a century of protecting, promoting and improving the health and quality of life for all in Fairfax County. Their selfless efforts, made on behalf of all citizens of our community are truly worthy of our highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the annual Best of Braddock Awards. These awards are the result of collaboration between the Braddock District Council and Braddock District Supervisor and are presented to individuals and organizations 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 Braddock District. I have often said that civic engagement is a key indicator of a healthy community and tonight's event proves that Braddock District is one of the healthiest communities in all of Northern Virginia. That is due in no small part to the actions of those honored here this evening. I extend my congratulations to all of tonight's honorees and commend them for their 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 2017 Best of Braddock Award.

Katie Pope--This Annandale High School student has an impressive record of community service to a number of civic, church and charitable organizations.

The Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP)--This organization takes responsibility for supporting all of the numerous upkeep activities necessary to maintain a 493 acre park.

Meghan Walker--The organizer and manager of all of the FLAP activities in support of the Park.

Kiley Foster--This energetic first grader (one of the youngest Honorees ever) has started on an exemplary path of community service through her contributions to her church, charitable organizations, and other service groups such as ``Girls on the Run.''

Irene Merrill--Nominated by the Briarwood Court Condo Association, Irene has continuously improved and produced the Association newsletter for over 10 years.

Jeremiah Bethea--This All-Conference, All-Regional, and All-State pole vault competitor also finds time outside of athletics to earn service awards from his neighborhood, write for the student newspaper, participate in student Government, and qualify for Math and Social Studies Honor Societies.

Suzanne Metz--This physical education teacher is the organizer of ``Walk to School'' and ``Bike to School'' days. She has also been instrumental working with the PTA to establish a summer camp.

Norene Gerstner--This avid gardener has served the Braddock District for 21 years as a volunteer working in and around the Kings Park Library. She has been a leader in conceptualizing and implementing the unique garden surrounding the library along with her ``Gardening Friends of Kings Park Library'' Group.

Morton Berger--The first posthumous honoree, he volunteered thousands of hours with VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) to memorialize through photograph numerous police activities for the Fairfax County Police Department.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 2017 Best of Braddock honorees for their tremendous contributions to Fairfax County and Northern Virginia. I also wish to extend special recognition to George Klein, the chair of the Braddock District Council, for his work in organizing this event and for his tireless efforts on behalf of others in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2017 recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Woman in Sales Leadership Award presented by the Institute for Excellence in Sales & Business Development (IES).

IES was created to foster excellence in business sales and development practices and to help sales professionals and organizations maximize their efforts. IES conducts a variety of workshops and programs designed to provide the knowledge and tools necessary to advance the careers and growth of those who attend. Each year, IES recognizes individuals, teams, and organizations throughout the United States who demonstrate exemplary performance through leadership, risk taking, innovation, vision, and customer development.

Awards are presented in categories including Excellence in Sales Innovation, Excellence in Sales Training, Excellence in Sales Management, Excellence in Customer Partnering, and Excellence in Strategic Alliances. In addition, Lifetime Achievement Awards are bestowed to a select few who have demonstrated continued success and have made significant contributions in their fields.

The recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Awards is Mr. Paul Smith, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Public Sector for Red Hat, North America. In this capacity, Mr. Smith manages the Red Hat portfolio across the entire federal government, as well as the state and local marketplaces as it relates to education. Prior to joining Red Hat, Mr. Smith enjoyed successful careers at VERITAS, Netscape Communication and Oracle.

The recipient of the inaugural Woman in Sales Leadership Award is Ms. Mary Beth Cockerham, Vice-President of Sales for Deltek. In this capacity, Ms. Cockerham manages all sales personnel related to Deltek's GovWinIQ program, which provides business intelligence to companies that are pursuing public sector sales. Prior to joining Deltek, Ms. Cockerham spent 20 years with Sun Microsystems in a variety of data- related sales roles.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Paul Smith and Mary Beth Cockerham for their innovative and effective leadership and in congratulating them on receiving the 2017 IES Lifetime Achievement Award and Woman in Sales Leadership Award.

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 37th 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 2017 scholarship winners:

Jordyn Bingham (Westfield HS)

Ibrahim Eltahir (Falls Church HS)

Nathanial Herbert (Dominion HS)

Morgan Hobson (Fairfax HS)

Kevin Lacey (Rock Ridge HS)

Andrew Lewis (Riverside HS)

Nicole Monlyn (Rock Ridge HS)

Justin Shelby (South Lakes HS)

Elijah Williamson (Herndon HS)

Mathewos Yiheyis (Hayfield SS)

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 wishing them great success in all their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of individuals in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and to their community and are being recognized by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce at their annual Above and Beyond Breakfast.

This event recognizes first responders in the Greater Springfield area who better their community by quietly volunteering personal time, energy, and financial support to fill a need outside of their day-to- day duties. In addition to honoring first responders, a portion of the proceeds raised at the Above and Beyond Breakfast are donated to charitable organizations designated by the honorees.

This year, three members of the public safety community are being honored by the Chamber. It is my honor to include in the Record the names of the following individuals.

Private First Class Tom Black, Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, for his work with seniors, Camp Sunshine and World Vision

Private First Class Anthony Capizzi, Fairfax County Police Department, for his work with the Boy Scouts of America

Mr. John ``JJ'' Jackson, Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, for his faithful operation of Canteen 422, Fire Station 12

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2017 Above and Beyond Breakfast first responder award recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, Fairfax County Police Department and the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire 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 and in thanking them for their dedication to the safety and protection of our residents, businesses, and properties.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a momentous anniversary. This year marks the 275th anniversary of Fairfax County, which I am proud to represent in this chamber and which I represented prior to my election to this body for 14 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including five years as Chairman.

In 1737, Lord Thomas Fairfax of Cameron took possession of a piece of land that included all of what is now Loudoun, Arlington and Fairfax Counties in addition to the cities of Falls Church, Fairfax and Alexandria. At the time, all of this land was part of Prince William County. Installing his cousin William as the managing agent for that land, Lord Fairfax departed back to England to cement his claim. In 1742, William arranged for that piece of land to be officially designated as Fairfax County.

This new county was home to many Americans who would have an impact on our country, most notably future President George Washington. In addition, Fairfax was home to the man who many credit with the creation of the Bill of Rights, George Mason. Working with a member of Virginia's congressional district (and future President himself) James Madison, Mason argued for the creation of amendments to the newly- created U.S. Constitution to protect individual freedoms. Indeed, Mason was one of only three delegates to the Constitutional Convention to refuse to sign the new document because of his concerns that the federal government would be abusive of its authority absent a document like the Bill of Rights.

Fairfax County also played a role in another pivotal time on our Nation's history, the Civil War. The courthouse in Fairfax City served as a headquarters for the U.S. Army and the remains of several forts can still be found throughout the county today. The founder of the Red Cross, Clara Barton, treated wounded soldiers at St. Mary's Church in Fairfax Station, an experience that would eventually lead her to found that organization. While the County was largely spared from major battles (with the exception of the Battle of Ox Hill in 1862), raids and skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces were frequent and portions of the County changed hands several times over the course of the war.

Mr. Speaker, the history of Fairfax County is intimately intertwined with the history of the United States. Although the founders of this County could not have known the future that awaited their holdings, I suspect the evolution from a rural farming community to today's suburban community of over 1 million would please them greatly. Fairfax County has consistently been rated among the best places in the country in which to live, work, raise a family and start a business. Indeed, it stands as an example of a community that consistently sees beyond the years. I was proud to serve it on the Board of Supervisors and have been proud to represent it in this body. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Fairfax County on this important anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Village West Pool on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. This historic milestone is a testament to the strength of community spirit in Fairfax County and throughout Northern Virginia.

The neighborhood of West Springfield was developed in 1966 by the Richmarr Construction Company. Richmarr generously donated land on which to build a community pool however, financing the construction of the pool itself was left to the community. Determined to take advantage of the opportunity to improve their neighborhood, the citizens of West Springfield came together to raise the necessary funds and one year later, on July 4, 1967, the Village West Pool opened.

Since that time, generations of residents have enjoyed facility. Three levels of swimming programs are offered including the Vikings for swimmers aged 4 to 18. This is a competitive swim team and is part of the Northern Virginia Swim League, the largest summer swim league in the nation. The Little Vikings is the developmental team and also swims in certain meets, including the Lollipop Meet. There is also a Learn to Swim program for very young swimmers who are not yet comfortable in the water. To encourage community spirit and camaraderie, The Pavilion is available to rent for local parties and gatherings. In addition, pool membership fees are discounted to all who agree to volunteer during the pool season.

Mr. Speaker, the health of a community can be judged through its level of civic engagement. The creation of the Village West Pool and its innovative programs are a testament to the level of civic engagement that is present in West Springfield and in fact, throughout Fairfax County. A group of citizens decided that they wanted to do something to make their community better and they set about doing just that. This willingness to work together to achieve a common goal speaks volumes on the health of our communities. Fairfax County remains one of the best places in the country in which to live, work and raise a family due to the efforts of individuals like the ones that came together to create the Village West Pool and the current residents and members who are committed to maintaining and preserving this neighborhood asset. I commend the Pool's Board and the entire West Springfield Civic Association for reaching this historic milestone and ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them great success in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important member of our local civil society. The Vienna Host Lions Club, based in the Town of Vienna in Fairfax County, Virginia, is observing its 75th anniversary this year. Originally chartered on May 7, 1942 as the Arlington Host Lions Club, the Vienna Host Lions Club has spent three- quarters of a century working to improve the community around them. Indeed, it currently holds the distinction of being the oldest community service organization in Vienna.

The Club's philanthropic efforts began in the heart of wartime, raising funds to support Allied service members overseas during World War II. The club also took action on the home front, constructing and operating a watchtower to scan for enemy aircraft. At the conclusion of the war, the club collected clothing to send to Europe to aid in reconstruction efforts. In 1965, the Vienna Host Lions Club left a permanent mark on the Town of Vienna by raising funds to build the new Vienna Community Center. Since that time, it has made other significant contributions to the betterment of the Town of Vienna through advocating for the installation of lights on the athletic fields of James Madison High School and other community ballparks, and the construction of a two-story press box at Walters Field.

In addition, the Club sponsors the James A. Bland Music Scholarship, and donates funds to many local organizations including those that address the needs of people with sight or hearing impairments, youth activities, and social welfare programs, as well as American Legion Post 180.

Mr. Speaker, volunteerism and public service are two of the highest callings, and the Vienna Host Lions Club is an example that other civic groups would do well to emulate. The health of a community can be judged through its level of civic engagement. The fact that the Vienna Host Lions Club has endured for such a protracted period of time speaks volumes to the health of not only the Town of Vienna, but the Northern Virginia region as a whole. The Town of Vienna has been named one of the best places in which to live for a number of years, a distinction that is largely due to the efforts of individuals like the members, past and present, of Vienna Host Lions Club. I commend the entire organization for reaching this historic milestone and ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the Club, its officers and members, and all who support it for their service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2017 graduating class of the Fairfax County High School Firefighter Program. Last year, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools created its High School Firefighter Program to provide training to students who are considering a career as a firefighter.

Students who participate in this program attend courses taught by qualified instructors at the Fairfax County Fire Academy. In fact, they receive some of the same training as new professional and volunteer firefighters. The course is grueling but upon successful completion, the students will receive six college credits. Should these students decide to apply to the Fairfax County Fire Academy, successful completion of this program will make them very competitive candidates and in fact, a few slots at the Academy are reserved specifically for the top student graduates.

This year, thirteen seniors are graduating as the inaugural class of the High School Firefighter Program. It is my honor to include in the Record the names of the following graduates:

Crisol Alvis Rodriguez, Nicholas Arko, Anna Fuentes, Joshua Hone, Alex Hurd, Henry Jimenez-Reyes, Nathan Leite, Gillian Mudge, Michael Murn, Jarod Rambo, Ben Rothwell, Richard Verrier, Leah Walters.

Mr. Speaker, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is one of the best fire departments in the country and in the world. I commend the department as well as the public school system for partnering in the creation of this program. I also applaud these young people for their desire to learn more about the department and for their interest in protecting our community. Northern Virginia is fortunate to have such dedicated young citizens. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these students on their successful completion of this program and in wishing them great future success.