Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my friend, mentor, and predecessor, Ms. Katherine Hanley, the former Providence District representative and Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, for being honored with the 2013 Founders Award from the Lorton Arts Foundation. Initiated in 2011, the Founders Award honors those who have made a significant impact on the Lorton Arts Foundation and the Workhouse Arts Center.

In 1910, the United States Government purchased 1,155 acres of rural property in southern Fairfax County for the yet to be built Lorton Correctional Facility. Over the next several years, the total acreage increased to more than 3,000 acres. This prison was originally a model of progressive incarceration; the Workhouse and Reformatory were designed to ``rehabilitate and reform prisoners through fresh air, good food, and honest work,'' and programs integrated work, home, education, recreation, health, and religion. In pursuit of this mission to reform instead of purely punish, inmates raised beef and dairy cattle, hogs, poultry, vegetables, and fruit. Industry was a major activity, and the inmates made a variety of products and were trained to become electricians, mechanics, and plumbers. Initially, neither the Workhouse nor the Reformatory had walls, fences, cells, or locks.

In the 1920s and 1930s the original wooden structures were replaced by brick structures. Over the following decades, what had begun as a true reformatory had become an overcrowded, poorly managed facility. In 1995 more than 7,300 inmates were housed at the facility and the District of Columbia lacked the financial resources to continue its operation. The Federal Government assumed financial and administrative control of the prison, and in 1997 and 1998, legislation was passed to close Lorton Prison. The last prisoners were transferred from the facility in 2001.

As Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Kate led the county's effort to acquire and transform the former prison site. In 2002, through a unique collaboration between the Federal Government, Fairfax County, and private organizations, 2,324 acres of the former prison site was sold to Fairfax County. The transfer took place under Kate's leadership, and she, along with Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland, set in motion a comprehensive planning effort with the Laurel Hill Adaptive Reuse Citizens Task Force to create a new vision for the community. This multi-year exercise resulted in a rebirth for the former prison and surrounding community as South County became one of the fastest growing sections of the county with the construction of thousands of new homes, retail and commercial space, a golf course, and three new schools.

A critical component of the reinvention of the region was the establishment of the Workhouse Arts Center. Established in 2008 by the Lorton Arts Foundation, The Workhouse has become the region's most distinctive cultural arts center, housing artist studios, galleries, a youth arts center, a theatre, and the Metropolitan School of the Arts, all in buildings that once had housed inmates. The Workhouse supports more than 100 professional and emerging artists, providing them affordable studios and galleries in which to exhibit their work. In addition to visual arts, the Workhouse Arts Center is home to performing arts, including theater, film, musical and dance performances. The Education Department offers more than 150 classes and workshops each quarter, in a broad spectrum of art disciplines. The Workhouse has also partnered with my office by creating a professional gallery exhibit of all artwork submitted as entries into the annual Congressional Arts Competition for the 11th District of Virginia.

The transformation of South County and the establishment of the Workhouse Arts Center would not have been possible without Kate's vision, persistence, creativity, and effectiveness. After serving as Chairman from 1995-2003, Kate accepted positions with the Commonwealth of Virginia, first on the Transportation Board and later as Secretary of the Commonwealth. I was honored to continue her work with the Workhouse Arts Center and the Lorton Arts Foundation when I succeeded her as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating my friend Kate Hanley on receiving the 2013 Founders Award and in thanking her for her leadership and vision that led to the creation of the Lorton Arts Foundation and Workhouse Arts Center, which has become one of the great gems in the National Capital Region.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleague, Rep. Jim Moran, to recognize and commend James M. ``Jim'' Scott on the occasion of his retirement after a distinguished career in public service to the residents of Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church. For more than 40 years, Jim has been a passionate advocate for our community on issues such as education, affordable housing, technology, health care, and transportation. He spent 14 years representing the Providence District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and then 22 years representing the 53rd District in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Jim's true public service began in a local classroom, when he was a teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools. He taught at Edison High School among others before leaving the schools to take the lead on Fairfax County's anti-poverty efforts. In 1971, he was elected to the Board of Supervisors representing the Providence District, which encompassed the central part of the county. During his 14-year tenure on the Board, Jim played a central role in drafting the county's Human Rights Ordinance and launching the School Aged Child Care Program, which continues to provide safe, fun, and educational before- and after-school activities for local elementary school children.

During his tenure as Providence Supervisor, Jim took an active role in regional organizations, serving as chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, member of the Northern Virginia Planning District Commission (now known as the Northern Virginia Regional Commission), member of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Board of Directors, chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Water Resources Planning Board, and president of the Virginia Association of Counties.

He also served on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, which in 1985 recognized Jim with the Elizabeth and David Scull Award, the highest honor for regional service in the National Capital Region. Fairfax County also recognized Jim by creating the James M. Scott Community Spirit Award, which is presented annually as part of Celebrate Fairfax, the summertime fair he helped champion. Jim left the County Board in 1986 to become the director of community affairs for Inova Health System, the region's largest health care provider.

Throughout his career, Jim has served as an invaluable mentor and partner to a number of community leaders, including his successor in the Providence District, Katherine K. ``Kate'' Hanley, who was later elected chairman of the Board of Supervisors. I too was proud to follow in Jim and Kate's footsteps in Providence District when I first joined the Board in 1994 and then during my tenure as Chairman.

In 1992, Jim was elected to represent the 53rd District, which includes Merrifield and the City of Falls Church, in the Virginia House of Delegates. He won that first race by a single vote, earning him the moniker ``Landslide Jim.'' He stayed true to his local government roots in the General Assembly, introducing legislation allowing cities and counties to implement affordable dwelling unit ordinances to increase the availability of low-cost and workforce housing.

During my tenure in Fairfax, Jim worked closely with us to advance the county's Affordable Housing Initiative and the 10-year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Working with the faith, nonprofit, and business communities, we have created a safety net to provide wrap around support services and move people off the streets into stable housing. Thanks to those ongoing efforts, Fairfax was one of the few metropolitan localities to see a decline in its homeless population during the Great Recession. In recognition of his tireless work in this field, Jim was named the Virginia Housing Coalition's Public Official of the Year in 1992, and he was inducted into the AHOME (Affordable Housing Opportunity Means Everyone) Hall of Fame last year.

In addition to those accomplishments, Jim worked closely with the local Northern Virginia business community. He introduced the legislation that created the office of Secretary of Technology in the Commonwealth of Virginia. More recently, he worked with me, Rep. Moran, and our colleague, Rep. Frank Wolf, on both federal and state legislation to facilitate the increased use of telework. Our bill, the Telework Enhancement Act, was signed into law in 2010 and federal agencies continue to expand their use of telework and mobile work strategies.

In announcing his intention earlier this year to retire, Jim cited the passage of the bipartisan transportation funding bill by the General Assembly. The long-sought infusion of new funding for the regional and state transportation network is something Jim and his colleagues have been working on for the past decade.

Mr. Speaker, Jim Scott's commitment to our community will be sorely missed and he leaves behind a legacy that will enrich our community for generations to come. On a personal note, he has been not only a mentor but also a wonderful friend, and I have admired his graciousness and his knack for avoiding the spotlight to focus on getting things done. His career in public service is truly commendable and deserving of our heartfelt gratitude. On behalf of myself and Rep. Moran, we wish Jim, his wife, Nancy, and their family the best of luck in this well- deserved retirement, and I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in expressing our appreciation for his commitment and service to this community and our nation.

Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Taiwan, it is my pleasure to congratulate Taiwan on the recent 102nd anniversary of its Double Ten National Day.

A vibrant democracy and dynamic economy in Taiwan foster a strengthened society that values the benefits that come with a wide exchange of goods, services, and ideas. America's rebalance to Asia highlights the importance of close diplomatic ties, strengthened economic relationships, and continued engagement with our neighbors in the region. The United States is both an Atlantic and a Pacific nation. We are pleased and proud to have a friend and ally in Taiwan.

Recently, Taiwan pledged to buy 62.5 million bushels of U.S. wheat, committed to developing exchange programs and joint research projects with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and declared its strong interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, once again demonstrating the advantages of strong ties between the United States and Taiwan.

The United States also has demonstrated its commitment to Taiwan. In July, President Obama signed a law which directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan at the International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly. In August, the House Committee of Foreign Affairs passed the Taiwan Policy Act of 2013 which again expresses support for Taiwan and provides for continued political, economic, and security assistance.

It is an honor to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Taiwan and celebrate the thriving democracy in Taiwan. I ask my colleagues to rise and join me in congratulating Taiwan on this anniversary of its Double Ten National Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Infant Toddler Family Day Care. Founded in 1983 by Phyllis Cassell and Ileene Hoffman, Infant Toddler Family Day Care (ITFDC) is now run by Phyllis's daughter, Wynne Busman. This 501-(c)(3) non-profit corporation serves the early education needs of parents and children throughout Northern Virginia. ITFDC connects families with licensed professional early child care educators who provide high quality family child care in private home settings.

This network of caregivers and educators is committed to the principle that learning begins at birth and the understanding that experiences in the first years of a child's life strongly influence their development into productive, well-adjusted adults. The ITFDC model promotes the development of long term relationships between the caregivers and the children in each small, mixed age group, greatly benefiting each child. This environment nurtures the cognitive, emotional, and social skills necessary for school and beyond.

ITFDC has also committed itself to raising the standards of professionalism for the early child care and education workforce. It encourages teachers to pursue the Career Studies Certificate and/or the Child Development Associate credential and provides guidance to those who seek to open their own licensed child care businesses. Some providers in the ITFDC network participate in the USDA Child Care Food Program which helps make sure children in need receive the healthy meals they need to be ready to learn. Finally, through the Navy/Marine Respite Program, ITFDC administers professional respite care services to Navy and Marine Corp families who need critical time to schedule appointments, meet other obligations they have or take a break knowing their children with special medical or behavioral needs are being cared for by trained providers.

ITFDC's longevity is a testament to the effectiveness of its philosophy and its programs, and to its first-rate reputation among parents and educators.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating ITFDC on 30 years of success and thanking the many caregivers who have participated in its programs years for their efforts in caring for our most precious resource.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and to thank the men and women who served in uniform, as well as commend the members of the Korean War Veterans Association and the National Unification Advisory Council (Washington Chapter) for their efforts on behalf of the veterans of the Korean War and their families.

More than 1.7 million Americans served in Korea during the 3-year war and more than 44,000 never returned home. Racial integration efforts in the U.S. military began during the Korean War, where more than 100,000 African Americans fought in integrated units for the first time. Twenty-one other countries from the United Nations also supplied assistance to

the war on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea reported some 373,599 civilian and 137,899 military deaths by the time peace finally came on July 27, 1953. On behalf of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia, I thank the men and women who served honorably in uniform during the Korean War for their service and sacrifice.

The Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) has dedicated itself to educating Americans about this war and honoring those who served. Two local KWVA chapters have been recognized by the National Unification Advisory Council (Washington Chapter) for their ongoing efforts in these areas. The Northern Virginia Chapter of KWVA (Chapter 100) has been honored for its ``Benevolent'' program that seeks to help Korean War veterans and their families, as well as for its ``Tell America'' program that teaches school children about the Korean War. The Col. William E. Weber Chapter (Chapter 142) has earned recognition for its contributions to the upkeep of the Korean War Memorial and its work on the Frederick County Veterans History Project. I congratulate each of these Chapters for receiving these honors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring all those who served in Korea and in commemorating the 60th anniversary of that war's end. I also commend the National Unification Advisory Council (Washington Chapter) and the Korean War Veterans Association for their efforts on behalf of the veterans of the Korean War, their families, and our community.

Madam Speaker, many of us have fond memories of the classic 1950s James Dean movie ``Rebel Without a Cause.'' Who can forget Dean's tragic Jim Stark--who, in rebelling against his parents, the police, and other like-minded ``conformists'', spends the film putting his friends in harm's way as he tries proving his worth to the town tough guys. Jim gets in a switchblade fight. He nearly drives off a cliff during a game of chicken. In the end, his friend Plato is killed after Jim leads his friends to an abandoned house where they live in their own fantasy world where they don't have to justify themselves to anyone.

As we finally bring to end this reckless government shutdown, I must say that this plot feels eerily familiar. It would seem many in the House of Representatives, in their inchoate rebellion, would have rather driven our Nation and the economy off a cliff than sit down and talk like grown-ups. Even former Republican governor Tim Pawlenty recognized this troubling behavior and said that the actions of his fellow Republicans in dealing with the debt ceiling reminded him of a group of rebellious teenagers--out for a night on the town--pulling quote, a ``dine-and-dash.''

These rebels without a cause paralyzed our government and wreaked havoc on Virginia's

economy. It is estimated that the shutdown has cost Virginia's economy more than $200 million a day. That's $1 billion a week. I heard from community bankers that could not process loan applications because the IRS was shuttered. The SBA could not issue new loans, choking off small businesses ability to grow and create jobs.

The last time political brinksmanship from the House Majority brought us to the verge of default in August 2011, it resulted in a historic downgrading of the nation's credit and a loss of $2.4 trillion in household wealth. Many of our region's business leaders and every Chamber of Commerce in Northern Virginia warned of the risks of default and demanded Congress pass a clean CR.

In case anyone still believed these rebels might actually have a cause, one only need review the constantly changing demands they made over the past two weeks. First, they demanded we defund the Affordable Care Act, then delay the Affordable Care Act, then repeal the medical- device tax. Then as a precondition for the Nation paying its bills on time they demanded we build the Keystone Pipeline, expand offshore drilling, repeal Dodd-Frank, enact tort-reform, and repeal the Public Health trust fund.

I am not sure even the House Majority knows why they have spent the past few weeks driving us toward the cliff. I think many of my colleagues have convinced themselves they are Jim Stark--rebels, lashing out, ready to prove the world wrong, and more comfortable holed up in a house living a fantasy where they don't have to play by the rules. There is no doubt that Virginians have grown tired of these reckless antics and these repeated games of chicken. It's a relief that the adults in the room finally stepped in to reopen the government, raise the debt ceiling, and restore sanity. I was pleased to work in a bipartisan fashion with some in the Virginia delegation and other pragmatic Members to get this done.

Mr. Speaker, day 10 of a Republican shutdown of the Federal Government. Where are we? Well, the consequences are cascading. They build up: $373 million a day in new Small Business Administration loans frozen, preventing small businesses from getting started, preventing small businesses from expanding and hiring new workers; 10,000 applications a day for Social Security benefits and Medicare frozen. Veterans benefits, we have reduced the backlog by 30 percent. The people who are reducing that backlog, furloughed.

I had a constituent in my district who lost a loved one at Walter Reed Army Hospital. When the funeral home came to collect their loved one for preparation for his final burial, there were no doctors for the death certificate because they had been furloughed.

This affects every American. Sometimes we are not aware of how interwoven Federal services are in our lives. We count on and take for granted that the Federal Government is protecting us from diseases. There is research being done on a crash basis to make sure that antibiotic-resistant infections don't kill us and our children. It is a real threat. Those researchers, furloughed. Protecting illnesses and invasive species, including deadly species, from coming into the United States, at risk because the men and women who are charged with that mission are furloughed.

We are now a subject of conversation all around the world. What happened to America? How can we be a beacon for others? How can we be a model for how to run a country? How can we lecture an emerging country about democratization and how it works for its people when we allow this kind of brinksmanship, this kind of spectacle, and the danger to our own country and its people?

It is reckless. It causes real harm. The solution is at hand, and that is a clean funding bill for the government and a clean debt ceiling to make sure we are good for our debts. We have been good for our debts since the founding of the Republic, since Alexander Hamilton established the creditworthiness of the United States in George Washington's first Cabinet.

Never has there been a risk that we wouldn't be good for our bills, and yet we have one faction in the Republican caucus seemingly dominating that conversation on that side of the aisle, more than willing to embrace the threat of default. Almost every major business group has pleaded with this Congress not to do that, not to even play with that. The last time they did, in 2011, our debt was downgraded for the first time in American history; $2.4 trillion worth of household wealth was lost, including $800 billion on the equity markets that fell 625 points the next day. It hurt America. It is hurting America now.

We can bring up a clean funding bill before the floor of this House tomorrow--today. We have got the votes to pass it. It is a matter of Republican leadership. Will they allow the democratic process to work in this body? On behalf of the country, can we not put aside partisanship just once for the sake of our country and do the right thing and reassure the world we are standing together to do that right thing, protecting the creditworthiness of this country, protecting the American people by providing government and turning our backs on anarchy? That is really what some are preaching: you don't need government; government is always bad; government never works; government doesn't protect you.

That philosophy is dangerous and that philosophy, unfortunately, is at work here in the House of Representatives.

It is time to turn our backs on that philosophy and embrace the needs of this country and the wonderful people we serve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 20th Anniversary of Westminster at Lake Ridge, a continuing-care retirement community in Lake Ridge, Virginia.

Founded in 1906, the Westminster Ingleside Family of Communities was established in the District of Columbia by the Washington City Presbytery. This group of continuing-care retirement communities currently comprises Ingleside at King Farm, Ingleside at Rock Creek, and Westminster at Lake Ridge.

The Westminster Ingleside Foundation supports charitable activities in these communities and advances initiatives aimed at improving senior health and well-being. The three communities and foundation are managed by the Westminster Ingleside Service Corporation.

The planning for Westminster at Lake Ridge (WLR) began in 1978. Myles Golbranson took the lead in organizing the effort to build the community. Mr. Golbranson and his group of Presbyterians envisioned a continuing-care community that would provide a nurturing and stimulating living environment for seniors and retirees. It was established as a not-for-profit in 1989, and just four years later, the first residents moved into their new homes in Lake Ridge.

Today, Westminster at Lake Ridge is a community of civically engaged and well-informed seniors. Residents donate thousands of volunteer hours to the surrounding community. They participate in literacy, citizenship, education, political advocacy, and various other charitable programs. Many of the residents are active in informative monthly speaking organizations as well as fitness and hobby groups. I am honored to host an annual Senior Issues Forum in the community where I can always expect a thoughtful exchange with my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 20th Anniversary of Westminster at Lake Ridge. A vision that began 35 years ago is now a vibrant continuing-care retirement community and a welcoming place where anyone can feel at home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Human Services Council of Fairfax County and to thank the many citizens who have spent countless hours ensuring that the county meets the needs of its citizens.

In response to the challenges brought about by the dramatic growth of Fairfax County in the 1970s and 80s, the Board of Supervisors recognized the need to assess the county's ability to meet the diverse needs of its citizens. In June 1988, The Board chartered the Human Services Council to develop a comprehensive human services plan to establish and coordinate service needs, resource requirements, funding allocations, and priorities across all human service agencies.

The Council is comprised of twenty citizens who are appointed by the Board of Supervisors. It is charged with analyzing the needs and effectiveness of the human services system; advising the system on annual and strategic goals, objectives, and priorities; enhancing the coordination of services among human service providers both public and private; overseeing key aspects of change in the system; and serving as a liaison to governing and advisory boards of existing human services organizations as well as to the community.

In 1989, the Human Services Council's first report, Toward a Long- Range Plan for Human Services in Fairfax County, provided a comprehensive review of human services programs in the county and set the foundation for improvements in needs assessment and service delivery that continue to this day. The Council's contributions proved invaluable in 1992 when due to a severe recession, devastating reductions for human services were proposed. The Council worked with other stakeholders to examine the impact of the cuts, prioritize services and analyze service delivery systems, thereby providing information that resulted in the preservation of funding vital to the well-being of vulnerable residents. In 1996, the Council adopted three primary objectives that have provided a clear focus for the human services system in Fairfax County: ensure the protection of children and other vulnerable members of the community; maximize prevention opportunities in order to strengthen the well-being and stability of families and communities; and promote self-sufficiency and help families achieve maximum independence from long-term public supports.

Over the past 25 years, the Council has not only worked within the county government, it has partnered with community-based organizations, schools, nonprofit organizations, and state and local government agencies to develop a regional human services safety net that promotes independence, ensures the availability of safe affordable housing, supports families and individuals in crisis, prevents abuse and neglect, responds to threats to public health, responds to crime in the community, addresses alcohol, drug, physical health, and mental health issues, prevents social isolation, and prevents neighborhood deterioration.

As Providence District Supervisor and later as Chairman of the Board, I had the great honor of working with the Human Services Council in many areas of critical need in the County, most notably on creation of the standalone Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, and the Penny for Affordable Housing initiative. I personally extend by deepest appreciation to Kevin Bell and the other members of the Council for their untiring efforts on behalf of the most vulnerable in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the crucial role the Human Services Council members have played over the last 25 years in making sure all of Fairfax County's residents have the safeguards and support they need to live up to their fullest potential.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate PRS, Inc. on its 50th anniversary and to recognize PRS for assisting thousands of individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, mild intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders achieve personal wellness and play productive roles in the community.

PRS provides critical services to people living with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, major depression, intellectual disabilities, substance use disorders, or pervasive developmental disorders. Through innovative service delivery and programs, PRS can quickly assess the needs of an individual and implement services such as counseling, interpersonal skills training, vocational assistance, substance abuse services, and community housing. Thanks to the support offered by PRS, clients can and do increase their independence and self-sufficiency, allowing them to take critical steps toward leading strong and fulfilling lives.

Originally known as The Social Center, this institution began in 1963 in the basement of a church as a social program to assist recently discharged patients from Western State Hospital in Staunton, VA. Formally incorporated in 1970, by 1974 the Social Center had grown to serve more than 300 individuals at three locations with a staff of 18. By 1989, the agency was providing a range of rehabilitative skill training and support services including vocational, educational, case management, recreational and other services. In 1992, PRS opened the Reston-Faraday Clubhouse and between 1994 and 2002, opened five residential facilities for clients who need full-time, intensive support.

PRS Community Support Services helps people develop skills necessary to remain in their homes and out of the psychiatric hospital. In FY2013, 100% of the clients in that program maintained their homes and avoided eviction. The PRS Recovery Academy provides a curriculum-based day program that helps clients in the early stages of recovery master the essential skills of daily living and begin working toward their recovery and community integration goals. Over the years, PRS Employment Services has grown from serving just over 200 clients in 2000 to 502 in 2013, 89% of whom retained employment for 12 months or longer.

In 2011, PRS expanded the populations served to include persons with emotional and/or behavioral disorders irrespective of a diagnosis of mental illness. Thus, PRS began providing services to individuals with mild intellectual disabilities, substance use disorders and pervasive developmental disorders, including autism. All told, PRS served 920 individuals in FY2013 and 98% of them stayed out of the hospital.

PRS reached some other very significant milestones in 2013 by earning an Honorable Mention in the 2013 Washington Post Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Management, by being named one of the 50 Best Nonprofits to Work For in the United States by The NonProfit Times for a third year in a row, and by opening its doors for the first time in the District of Columbia with the DC Recovery Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing PRS for 50 years of service and for its commitment to ensuring that every person has the right to live in dignity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.

The mission of the Fairfax County Planning Commission is to advise the Board of Supervisors on all matters related to the orderly growth and development of Fairfax County. This includes stewarding of the comprehensive plan for the physical development of the County, amending zoning and subdivision ordinances, and reviewing specific project proposals. The Planning Commission also provides citizens with an opportunity to provide input and contribute to matters involving development in and around their communities.

When the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to establish a Planning Commission in July 1938, the County had a population of about 40,000 people. The original five members were appointed based on the land-use interest they would represent, such as farmers, townspeople, commercial, and industrial interests. Commissioners met in closed sessions and did not record minutes until 1941. Today, Fairfax County has a population of approximately 1.1 million and the Planning Commission consists of twelve volunteer members--one for each of the nine supervisory districts and three who serve the County at large. They meet weekly in public sessions that can be viewed online anywhere in the world. Additionally, commissioners form subcommittees as needed to focus on specific topics such as parks, transportation, housing, and the environment.

For much of its first 75 years, the Planning Commission shepherded the County's transformation from a predominantly rural area to one dominated by sprawling suburbs and job centers. The transportation patterns were indicative of this; people travelled into Washington, D.C., for their jobs and back home to Fairfax County. This landscape began changing as more and more corporations, especially technology companies, relocated their corporate headquarters or opened large offices in

Fairfax County, primarily in the Dulles Corridor and Tysons areas. The expansion of professional opportunities continued to fuel the population growth of the County, irrevocably changing commuting patterns and posing new challenges and opportunities. In this century, as the County continues to redefine itself, emphasis has been placed on smart-growth, multi-use development easily accessible to public transit. Through the natural cycle of growth and redevelopment, new activity centers have been established throughout the County in communities like Reston, Laurel Hill, Springfield, and the Mosaic District in Merrifield.

In May 2010, the Planning Commission presented the most ambitious redevelopment plan in the County's history to Board of Supervisors--The Tysons Plan. The Tysons Plan was a culmination of years of planning and analysis, much of which I had the honor of working on while serving as the Providence District Supervisor and then as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Under the Tysons Plan the area known as the ``downtown of Fairfax County'' will be transformed from a district filled with a patchwork of unconnected development and businesses into a vibrant, walkable, sustainable, transit-oriented mixed-use community. When completed, Tysons will be an urban center where people live, work, and play, and it will be home to up to 100,000 residents and 200,000 jobs. This plan received the American Planning Association's 2011 Daniel Burnham Award, which recognizes one urban plan in the nation each year, for advancing the science and art of planning.

Looking forward, the Planning Commission and staff will continue to seek a balance between this phenomenal growth and the need to maintain open space, manage traffic, and provide affordable housing.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Fairfax County Planning Commission on the occasion of its 75th Anniversary and in thanking the volunteer Commissioners and the staff of the Fairfax County Planning Commission for their efforts, expertise, and dedication toward making Fairfax County one of the best places in the country to live, work and raise a family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Barbara Lippa on her retirement as Executive Director of the Fairfax County Planning Commission and to thank her for 35 years of service to the community.

Ms. Lippa began her career with the Planning Commission in 1978 as a Planning Aide. In 1979, she was promoted to Deputy Director and was promoted to Executive Director in 1999. In December 1999, Ms. Lippa earned designation as a Virginia Certified Planning Commissioner.

During her 35 year tenure with the Planning Commission, Ms. Lippa witnessed an explosion of growth. In 1978, the County population was less than 579,000. There were approximately 192,776 residential housing units, nearly 60% of which were single family detached homes. Ethnic diversity was virtually non-existent; 91.6% of the residents were white, 5.4% were African-American, and all other minorities combined comprised only 3% of the population. The median household income was $15,707, and 62% of housing was owner occupied with the median home value of $35,400. And while Metrorail operated in Washington, D.C., and a few close in suburbs, it would be nearly another decade before Metro would be an option to Fairfax County residents.

By the end of 2012, the population of Fairfax County had nearly doubled to more than 1.1 million residents. There are more than 408,000 residential housing units and the percentage of single family detached homes has decreased to approximately 47%. Fairfax County is now an ethnic tapestry; nearly 40% of its residents are minorities with Asian/ Pacific Islanders comprising the largest single ethnic group. The 2012 median household income was $105,797 and the median home value was nearly $431,000. Metro is a daily part of life, and the Silver Line through Tysons and the Dulles Corridor will extend this service through Fairfax and into Loudoun County.

In 1978 there were fewer than 159,000 jobs in Fairfax County, today there are nearly 600,000. With 10 Fortune 500 Companies headquartered here, Fairfax County is home to more Fortune 500 companies than 33 states and is tied with 3 others; this exponential job growth has fueled the need for additional facilities, infrastructure, development, and services.

Ms. Lippa has excelled in leading Fairfax County's planning efforts during 35 years in an ever-changing climate. Her management and guidance has contributed greatly to the evolution of Fairfax County from a suburban enclave to a 21st century metropolis. In 2010, she was honored with a Team Excellence Award for her work with the Commission's

Tysons Committee and in October 2012, Ms. Lippa received the Marge Bleiweis Peace Builder Award. In addition, under her leadership, the Fairfax County Planning Commission was recognized with the American Planning Association's 2011 Daniel Burnham Award for its work on the Tysons Plan.

Despite the demands of serving on the Planning Commission, Ms. Lippa still found the time to remain involved and active in the community. For 28 years, she has been a member of Zonta International, holding numerous leadership positions and in 2012 was named as the Zonta Club of Fairfax 2011 Volunteer of the Year and honored by the Inter-Service Club Council of the City of Fairfax. From 1994 to 2008, Ms. Lippa continued her work to improve educational opportunities while serving as a member of the Northern Virginia Community College Business Advisory Curriculum Committee.

For generations to come, the benefits of Ms. Lippa's dedication, expertise, and commitment will be felt by millions of residents and will pave the way for the continued prosperity of the entire region. On behalf of the residents, businesses, and visitors to Fairfax County, I thank and commend her for a job exceedingly well done.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Lippa on her retirement and thanking her for 35 years of service to Fairfax County and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Mr. William Won-Kyun Hwang for his appointment as President of the Washington Chapter of the 16th Session of the National Unification Advisory Council (NUAC) for the Republic of Korea. The Council was established in 1980 under the Constitution of the Republic of South Korea to advise the Korean President on policies that promote a democratic peaceful reunification of Korea, including the views of Koreans living domestically and abroad.

A successful Northern Virginia businessman, Mr. Hwang is a resident of Oakton in the 11th Congressional District, and he has been an active member of the Fairfax County community. He is the president of three companies involved in trade and property development, and he serves on the Fairfax County Park Foundation Board.

He served from 2008 to 2010 as President of the Korean-American Association of Virginia, which provides a multitude of services to help Korean immigrants adjust to life in America. In addition to being a past chairman of the Board of Directors for the KAAV, Mr. Hwang also has chaired the 14th San Francisco Korean American Olympics Washington Team in 2007, the Vocational School of the Korean American Association of Northern Virginia, the Korean American Business Association, and the Korean American Sports Association of Greater Washington. He was the 2006 delegate for the Washington, D.C., and Seoul City Sisterhood, and Seoul City, along with Dan Kook University of Korea, recognized him as an honorary ambassador in 2008.

As co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Korea, I am pleased to have worked with KAAV and other Korean-American organizations on promoting cultural awareness and addressing issues within the community, and I

am pleased to join them in celebrating Mr. Hwang's appointment. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Hwang for his service to the local Korean-American community and in commending the NUAC for its efforts to promote peace and unity on the Korean peninsula.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month and the countless contributions of Hispanic individuals and organizations to the outstanding quality of life enjoyed by Northern Virginians. In 1968, Hispanic Heritage Week was established by President Lyndon Johnson; 20 years later in 1988, it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to cover the 30-day period between September 15 and October 15 of each year.

This period includes several dates of great significance to the Hispanic community. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. October 12 is Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza, and is celebrated in the in United States as well as in many Latin American countries.

Each year since 1994, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has recognized Hispanic Heritage Month. Prince William County also celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with events in schools and libraries. Of course, Hispanic individuals and organizations remain active year round to improve our community. Both the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce support active Hispanic Business Councils that promote and improve the Hispanic business community and forge strategic partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, governments, and elected officials. The annual Dulles Regional Chamber Council's Hispanic Business Reception welcomes hundreds of guests from the Greater Washington Metropolitan Region and attracts corporate executives, diplomats, elected officials and non-profit partners, who meet and develop working partnerships while enjoying Hispanic culture.

Northern Virginia is blessed by its diversity and is enriched by our vibrant Hispanic community. Approximately 16% of Fairfax County residents and 21% of Prince William County residents are Hispanic or Latino. In the 11th District of Virginia more than 130,000 of my constituents identify as Hispanic or Latino.

A growing number of small businesses are Latino-owned; and MicroTech, one of the 10 Fastest Growing Hispanic-Owned Businesses in the nation is located here in the 11th Congressional District. The Fairfax Hispanic Firefighters Association, FHFA was established in the spring of 2003, to assist the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in the delivery of bilingual Life Safety Education programs. In Prince William, the ``Panorama Latino TV Show'' serves as a vital link between local governments, first responders, service providers, non-profits, and the Hispanic members of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and thanking the Hispanic-American community for their contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to join with Korean-American immigrants in my district and through the nation in celebrating August as the 110th anniversary of the first Korean immigrants arriving here in the United States. The Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS) is hosting its summer symposium on this very topic: The Korean Diaspora: Challenges facing the Korean-American Community.

The first Korean immigrants--102 men, women, and children--arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1903 to work as laborers on sugar plantations. Since then, Korean Americans have settled across America, which is now home to the second largest Korean population outside of Korea itself. More than 80,000 Korean-Americans live in the National Capital Region, making this the third largest Korean community in the United States. In the 11th Congressional District of Virginia, which I represent, is home to a thriving Korean-American community. Asian-Americans comprise the largest ethnic group in our District, which is more than 40% minority and in which more than 1-in-4 is foreign born.

Earlier this spring, I was pleased to join my colleagues in welcoming President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea, who addressed a joint session of Congress. She spoke eloquently about her long-term hope for restoring trust across the Korean peninsula and fostering a shared sense of economic vitality across Asia. As a co- chair of the Congressional Korea Caucus, I and my colleagues are committed to preserving and further growing the strong relationship we have enjoyed with South Korea for the past 60 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the countless contributions of Korean-Americans and in commemorating the 110th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants here in America. I wish ICAS success with its upcoming symposium.