Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Days of Remembrance as our Nation's annual commemoration of the Holocaust. As you know, Congress designated this week-long observance in honor of the victims of the Holocaust and created the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to serve as a permanent living memorial to them.

This year's Remembrance week is April 15th through the 22nd, and communities throughout the country will observe this occasion with educational programs and other activities. I am pleased to share with my colleagues that the Fairfax County, Virginia, Board of Supervisors, in my district, is proclaiming April 22 as Holocaust Remembrance Day.

It is important that we pause annually to reflect on the systemic persecution and annihilation of European Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945. More than six million Jews were murdered during that period and countless others were targeted for oppression or destruction based on factors of race, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, disability or sexual orientation. The atrocities of that era serve as a reminder for current and future generations about the moral responsibilities of individuals, societies and governments. This year's national theme, as selected by the museum, is ``Choosing to Act: Stories of Rescue'' and seeks to capture that sentiment.

Confronted with the cruelty against humanity taking place in front of them, many witnesses faced a choice of whether to intervene. Of course, doing so brought the risk of severe punishment, and, in some cases, death. Fear drove many to idly stand by, but there were many ordinary citizens who carried out extraordinary acts of courage on behalf of their fellow man, whether it was a government official who forged identity papers or the housewife and her daughter who hid a family in their attic. Ultimately the United States and the Allies, which later became the United Nations, prevailed over the Axis powers, preventing the further spread of their tyranny and evil.

Mr. Speaker, commemorative events marking the Days of Remembrance are taking place here in our Nation's capital and in communities throughout the country. I hope my colleagues have an opportunity to take part in one of these observances. This is a time to stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors, the nation of Israel, and our allies across the globe to once again rekindle awareness of this terrible tragedy in world history and to rededicate ourselves to never allowing such acts to happen again.

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

The Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety agencies and their commitment to the community. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. More than 100 individuals are receiving much deserved awards in a variety of categories including: The Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze or Silver Medal of Valor.

Two members of the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I submit the names of the following award recipients into the Congressional Record:

2012 Bronze Medal of Valor Recipient: Private First Class Naftali Jacob

2012 Certificate of Valor Recipient: MDS Kathleen Holohan

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2012 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Fairfax County, 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 today to recognize the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce and the recipients of the 2012 Asian-American Chamber Awards.

The Asian-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) is dedicated to improving the economic development for Asian Pacific American owned businesses in the Washington, D.C. region. The 11th District of Virginia is blessed by its diversity; 1 in 4 residents are foreign born and more than 40% are minorities, with Asian Americans representing the largest ethnic group. Northern Virginia has a robust international business community and is home to the largest concentration of minority-owned technology firms in the nation. The AACC and its members contribute greatly to our economic strength and stability; Asian- American businesses generate more than 52% of total revenues generated by all minority owned businesses in this region.

Each year, the AACC recognizes businesses and non-profits in the Asian American community for their outstanding contributions to the Metropolitan Washington community and economy. I congratulate the following individuals and businesses for receiving one of the 2012 Asian-American Chamber of Commerce Awards:

Asian Business Leader Award (Posthumous): Mr. Jay Chen, Asian Fortune.

Volunteer of the Year: Mr. Vance Zavela, Fairfax County Office of Public and Private Partnerships.

Small Business of the Year: Analee's Prom, Bridal, Special Occasion & Tuxedo.

Outstanding Corporate Partner: Dominion Virginia Power.

Community Service Award: Asian Community Service Center.

Public Service Award: Grace Han Wolf, Herndon Town Councilmember.

Asian Business Excellence Award: Information Management Consultants (IMC) Inc.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the honorees of the 2012 Asian-American Chamber of Commerce Awards and in commending the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce for its work to support Asian- and Pacific Islander-owned businesses throughout our region.

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

The Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety agencies and their commitment to the community. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. More than 100 individuals are receiving much deserved awards in a variety of categories including: The Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, or the Bronze or Silver Medal of Valor.

Fifty members of the Fairfax County Police Department are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I submit the names of the following Valor Award Recipients into the Congressional Record:

2012 Silver Medal of Valor Recipients: Second Lieutenant Kevin D. Barrington, Police Officer First Class Jessica R. Kane, Captain Ronald P. Novak, Police Officer First Class Ali Sepehri, Police Officer First Class Nathan D. Sloan, Police Officer First Class Federick R. Yap.

2012 Bronze Medal of Valor Recipients: Second Lieutenant Michael E. Johnson, Police Officer First Class Kenyatta L. Momon, Master Police Officer Patrick M. Nolan, Jr., Master Police Officer Peter L. Norris, Police Officer First Class John A. Parker, Police Officer First Class Daniel K. Perdue, Police Officer First Class Edward S. Rediske.

2012 Certificate of Valor Recipients: Police Officer First Class Rockie Akhavan, Sergeant Garrett G. Boderick, Police Officer First Class Terence G. Bridges, Police Officer First Class Brooks R. Gillingham, Police Officer First Class Ronald J. Grecco, Police Officer First Class Christoforos D. Mamalis, Police Officer First Class Brendan T. McMahon, Officer Gary Moore, Jr., Police Officer First Class Jose R. Morillo, Police Officer First Class Carl L. Parsons, Second Lieutenant Matthew W. Pifer, Police Officer First Class Philip C. Stone, Jr., Police Officer First Class Thomas D. Thompson, Police Officer First Class Leanna D. Wilson, Police Officer First Class Courtney K.Young.

2012 Lifesaving Award Recipients: Police Officer First Class Carolina M. Bennett, Police Officer First Class Brian T. Buracker, Nancy C. Burke, Master Police Officer Rudolph V. Coffield, Police Officer First Class Christopher L. Coleman, Master Police Officer Crystal J. Gray, Police Officer First Class Ronald J. Grecco, Second Lieutenant Brian E. Hall, Police Officer First Class Timothy M. Henderson, Police Officer First Class John C. Keenan, Police Officer First Class Jason J. Mardocco (2 Lifesaving Awards), Second Lieutenant Shawn C. Martin, Master Police Officer Maureen M. McKeon, Police Officer First Class Michael D. Mittiga, Master Police Officer Joseph A. Moore, Police Officer First Class Camille S. Neville, Police Officer First Class Richard Pearl, Police Officer First Class Scott M. Richards, Police Officer First Class Stacy L. Sassano, Master Police Officer Stephen M. Selby, Police Officer First Class Ali Sepehri, Master Police Officer William W. Stewart, III, Police Officer First Class David Trelinski, and Master Police Officer Dennis E. Vorbau.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2012 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Police Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Fairfax County, 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 today to recognize an outstanding group of men and women in Northern Virginia. These individuals have demonstrated superior dedication to public safety and have been awarded the prestigious Valor Award by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.

The Valor Awards recognize remarkable heroism and bravery in the line of duty exemplified by our public safety agencies and their

commitment to the community. Our public safety and law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. More than 100 individuals are receiving much deserved awards in a variety of categories including: The Lifesaving Award, the Certificate of Valor, and the Bronze or Silver Medal of Valor.

Fifty-one members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department are being honored this year for their exceptional service. It is with great pride that I submit the names of the following award recipients into the Congressional Record:

2012 Silver Medal of Valor Recipients: Lieutenant Thomas L. Flint III and Technician Robert E. Pickel, Jr.

2012 Bronze Medal of Valor Recipients: Technician Thomas R. Barnes, Lieutenant Kenneth L. Coffelt, Technician Rolando E. Contreras, Lieutenant Aron J. Corwin, Master Technician Anthony E. Doran, Firefighter Brendan M. Downing, Technician Michael L. Frames, Technician Richard D. Gundert, Master Technician William F. Kight, Jr., Master Technician John P. McDonell, Technician Lawrence G. Mullin, Firefighter Cory S. Parry, Technician John M. Smith, Lieutenant Rodney S. Vaughn, Master Technician Reginald L. Wadley, Lieutenant Erick L. Weinzapfel, Master Technician Christopher H. Williams, Technician Eric M. Wyatt, and Lieutenant Earl J. Burroughs

2012 Certificate of Valor Recipients: Fire Medic Eli A. Bredbenner, Captain I David P. Conrad, Technician Edwin E. Flores, Technician James M. Furman, Technician John C. Guy, Jr., Captain II Glenn A. Mason, Technician Shannon G. Reed, Technician Robert G. Ritchie, and Firefighter Rodney D. Washington

2012 Lifesaving Award Recipients: Technician Mica A. Bland (2 Lifesaving Awards), Firefighter Namaste Bosse, Lieutenant Keith W. Cerzullo, Technician Brian M. Chinn, Technician Robin S. Clement, II, Firefighter/Medic Joseph C. Deutsch, Technician Michael S. Eddy, Technician Edwin E. Flores, Lieutenant Thomas Hyden, Technician Peter C. Kehne, Firefighter Salman F. Khan, Firefighter Timothy D. Kim, Technician Michael T. King, Firefighter Heather J. Lefever, Captain Jeffrey L. Mongold, Lieutenant Michael C. Nelson, Technician Laura E. Pollard, Firefighter Placido Sanchez, Technician Clarke V. Slaymaker, II, Lieutenant John J. Tedesco, Captain I Wayne P. Wentzel, and Firefighter Brandon M. Winfield

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2012 Valor Award Recipients, and thank each of the men and women who serve in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Their efforts, made on behalf of the citizens of Fairfax County, are selfless acts of heroism and truly merit our highest praise. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2012 honorees of the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations Awards Banquet.

The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations is a coalition of civic and homeowners associations from across Fairfax County. Through the Federation, individual communities collaborate with other associations to ensure that their voices are heard and that their communities stay strong.

Each year, the Federation honors a select few individuals for extraordinary contributions to the community that have resulted in tangible improvements in our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government. This is the 62nd Annual Awards Banquet, and this year's honorees each have dedicated years of service to their neighbors, their community and all of Fairfax County.

It is my pleasure to recognize the following individuals for their service to the community:

2011 Citizen of the Year: Walter Alcorn for his 14 years of service on the Fairfax County Planning Commission. During his tenure, he has chaired the Tysons Corner Committee since 2008, chaired the Environmental Committee from 1997 2006, and served as Vice-Chair of the Planning Commission since being appointed in 1997. Mr. Alcorn also has been involved in his Reston community through his involvement with the United Christian Parish and also as a little league coach.

2011 Citation of Merit: Ellie Ashford for her professional community journalism, tirelessly working to produce the Annandale Blog (annandaleblog.com), an exceptional local blog that was recently recognized by The Washington Post as a ``must read.'' Ms. Ashford also has received top honors from the Society for National Association Publications, the Association of Educational Publications, the American Society of Association Executives, and the International Association of Business Communicators.

2011 Citation of Merit: Corazon Foley for her efforts to establish the Burke/West Springfield Senior Center Without Walls (BWSSCWoW). Due to her tireless efforts, the Center has succeeded in providing programs for more than 450 seniors in Fairfax County. Mrs. Foley also was named Lady Fairfax in 2009 for founding the Asian American History Project.

2011 Citation of Merit: Terry Maynard for his work in development issues and planning for the Reston community. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Reston Citizens Association (RCA) and the Reston 2020 Committee. As the RCA representative to the ongoing Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force, Mr. Maynard has been an outspoken advocate for reasoned, balanced, smart growth policies along the Silver Line Metro expansion.

2011 Special Gratitude Award: Suzanne Harsel for her years of service representing the Braddock District on the Fairfax County Planning Commission. First appointed in 1982, Ms. Harsel was reappointed 7 times and served with distinction until her retirement in December 2011. Having served for nearly 30 years, Ms. Harsel had the longest continuous service on the Planning Commission.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these individuals and in congratulating them on being honored by the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations. Civic engagement defines a community, and it is thanks to these individuals that Fairfax County residents enjoy such an excellent quality of life. The contributions and leadership of these honorees have been a great benefit to our community and truly merit our highest praise.

I thank my friend from West Virginia.

Madam Speaker, America's commuters and businesses want us to speed up transportation improvements. However, the House Republicans have offered only a speed bump. We face a transportation crisis, with bridges and roadways crumbling, millions of Americans stuck in gridlock, and transit improvements languishing.

We've known that the transportation authorization lapses on March 31, severely jeopardizing projects and jobs in every one of our States. The transportation vote today is nothing more than a 3-month Band-Aid. The Republican plan was rejected on a bipartisan basis because it disinvests in America, cutting $361 million in my home State of Virginia alone.

America needs a real transportation plan: a plan that ensures that States and localities don't shut up projects this Sunday; a plan that creates jobs, putting the hard-hit construction industry back to work. Thankfully, there is such a plan. It's bipartisan. This month, the Senate passed a 2-year transportation plan by a vote of 74 22, including half of the Republicans present.

I urge Republican leadership to bring forward the bipartisan Senate bill. It's time to get America moving again.

Mr. Speaker, budgets are about values. The budget we are about to debate today, the Republican budget, does not reflect American values. It is a budget for the survival of the fittest. It cuts the highest tax bracket from 35 percent to 25 percent. That's going to add $5 trillion to the debt. In order to compensate for that, this budget cuts $5.7 trillion in domestic discretionary spending.

If this budget were ever to become law, it would push back all the progress we've made over generations in terms of malnutrition, in terms of poverty rates, in terms of protecting our seniors. It is a budget that would make Charles Darwin blush. It is a budget not worthy of this House, and it is a budget I hope will be resoundingly rejected because of the values that do not reflect America at its best.

Madam Chair, as the House votes on the budget this week, I remind my colleagues that a budget represents our values. Sadly, tragically, this Republican budget seems to value only cruel Darwinism debasing the American society as we know it to survival of the fittest.

If you value relieving traffic congestion, this disinvestment in transportation throws you to the wolves. If you value job creation efforts like Make It In America, the Republican budget leaves you out in the cold, unemployed. If you value the American innovative spirit, the Republican attack on education leaves nothing but scraps. If you value retirees and those that spent a lifetime making America what it is today, Republicans end the Medicare commitment to you and picks seniors' pockets.

Madam Chairman, the Republican budget disinvests in America. In fact, the only thing Republicans claim to value, fiscal responsibility, rings hollow in the face of a $5 trillion of transfer of wealth to the already wealthy in America by cutting the highest tax bracket from 35 to 25 percent.

Simply put, this Republican budget attacks the America that I and my constituents value.

Madam Speaker, yesterday by one vote the Republican Budget Committee passed a fend-for-yourself budget that gives Darwinism a bad name. It breaks a bipartisan compromise not even a year old. It voucherizes Medicare, in effect jeopardizing health care for tens of millions of American seniors. It essentially guts Medicaid and jeopardizes nursing home care for millions more. It block-grants the safety net programs led by food stamps, threatening to reverse decades-old progress in lowering poverty and malnutrition rates in America.

This is a budget that needs to be rejected, Madam Speaker. It is a budget that would make Charles Darwin blush.

Mr. Speaker, March 5 9 was National Telework Week, a prime opportunity to celebrate the progress we have made implementing telework policy after passage of the Telework Enhancements Act of 2010.

More than 63,000 people pledged to telework last week, eliminating more than 5.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution and are saving $4.7 million in transportation expenses. As oil speculation and international uncertainty drives gas prices higher, telework becomes a more important tool for consumers to protect themselves against high gas prices.

Although private sector employers like AT&T and IBM pioneered telework, federal agencies are catching up under the direction of the Telework Enhancements Act. More than 95% of the 63,000 people who pledged to telework are federal employees. Agencies like USDA are making great progress expanding telework participation, while agencies like GSA and PTO already are saving taxpayer money by avoiding construction of new offices through use of telework arrangements.

As a result of my amendment to the Telework Enhancement Act, all agencies must incorporate telework into their Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), which will better prepare us to respond to a natural disaster or terrorist attack. During the record blizzards two years ago, federal employees saved taxpayers $30 million in a single week by continuing to work through telework arrangements even while the streets and Metro were closed by several feet of snow. By expanding telework participation in other agencies we can create additional cost savings and ensure that the Federal Government keeps operating even in the event of a terrorist attack.

These success stories are only possible because of partnerships between federal agencies, advocacy groups like the Telework Exchange and the Partnership for Public Service, and private sector companies which provide the technology to enable telework. I applaud the collective effort of agencies, advocates, and contractors to implement telework policies. Telework will be one of the essential workforce management tools for recruiting the next generation of federal employees.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating federal agencies and our private-sector partners on the progress being made to expand the use of telework. National Telework Week offers us an opportunity to highlight the success of these efforts and to expand upon them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Battlefield High School Marching Bobcats from Haymarket, Virginia, for winning the honor of Grand Champion at the 2012 BCS National Championship Marching Competition.

The Battlefield High School Marching Bobcats completed its regular season with a perfect record, winning Grand Champion titles at every competition in which they competed. The mission of the Marching Bobcats is to serve the community through high level performances that all can enjoy. They competed against top Honor Bands from around Virginia. They traveled to New Orleans to compete in the BCS National Championship Bowl Game, where they earned the title of National Grand Champions in the high school marching band competition. In addition, they received a superior rating at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association state marching assessment, qualifying them for the opportunity to earn the title of Virginia Honor Band for the eighth year in a row, keeping the title since the school first opened. Throughout the band's eight-year existence, it has been named grand champion 30 times in a variety of competitions.

It is my honor to enter into the Congressional Record, the names of the staff, instructors, and marchers who helped Battlefield High School win the Grand Champion title at the 2012 BCS National Championship Marching Competition.

Principal: Amy Ethridge-Conti.

Band Director: Matt Brodt.

Assistant Band Director: Steve Ballas.

Drumline Instructor: Brandon Neal.

Colorguard Instructors: Stephanie Neidzweikie, Alicia

Brodt.

Drum Majors: Glendon Mohan, Lianna Smith.

Members: Adora Correia, Ye Young Song, Kristina Lin,

Vannesa Nates, Minneli Seneviratne, Hyebin Limb, Hyejune

Limb, Katherine Lash, Kaitlyn Fowler, Courtney Watson, Claire

So, Ashley Nembhard, Jessica Javier, Clarissa Warlitner,

Yusuf Siddiqui, Allison Forst, Summer Durant, Shauna Durant,

Saydee Bocanegra, Amber Liptrap, Lexi Vasel, Mitchell

Reichner, Mallory O'Connell, Victoria Hurlburt, Brooke

Albertson, Jeffery Overbye, Matthew Ibarra, Jumoom Ahmed,

Kevin Pfeifle, Jasmine Heartley, Brianna Bowers, MinSuk Kim,

Jake Goodridge, Daniel Post, Alexandra Wright, Brianna

Tucker, Parker Treubert, Anthony Vandervelt, Keegan Dayman,

David Blackwell, Taylor Tissandier, Kathryn Piccione, Sean

Farris, Alex James, Cole Eastham, Emanuelle Madison, Karen

Tran, Emily Kriss, Mark Yang, Lauren Lopes, Nicholas Rivera,

Allyson Keeney, Kyleigh Hynes, Kristofer Lambert, Tyler

Theal, Nathan Sim, Chris Garlock, Romere Hopson, Jason Lew,

Emilee Moye, Janay Brown, Brenda Macdonald, Alex Williams,

Nicholas Sim, Kayla Hewitt, Megan Kriss, Aaron Yang, Sam

Ampumah, Wesley Harmon, Landry Franklin, Michael Mahoney,

Alexander Lambert, Eugene Pak, Scott Snow, Brian Knauf,

Damajah Mapson, Daniel Milihram, Jeremy Nelson, Megan

Mahoney, Joe DuPriest, Michelle Hettmann, Jamie Weaver,

Caroline Mohan, Aaron Sloss, Dylan Thomas, Laura Isbell,

Jamie Hall, Nick Swinsky, Ian Walker, Tyler Stoetzel, Daniel

Sloss, William Laingen, Hunter Watson, Noah Crowder, Michael

Jones, Cody Ellis, Jacob Whitfield, Lauren Pierson, Josh

Conrad, Andrew Giotta, Alberto Post, Arash Tajalli, Elijah

Bass, Carrie Bass, Zack Khalil, Jordan Bard, Ryan Mast,

Mitchell Ibarra, Delmar Somosa, Justin Thornton, Colin

Fowler, Anthony Smith, Ryan Pfeifle, Will Taylor, Daniel

Rhoades, Christian Go, Amber Watts, Daniel Gardeazabal Chase

Beasley, Austin Choi, Michael Schloss, Peter Bacenet, Michael

Dawson, Chris Curtis, Anthony Rondinelli, Erwin Barrientos,

Khushboo Bhatia, Nathan Guo, Andrew Theune, Megan Yetman,

Aaron Guo, Ian McVey, Kyle So, Colson Meeks, Eric

McGillivray, Josh Benedicto, Dominic Hunter, Meagan Curtis,

Ellen Field, Katelyn McGlothlin, Renee Dionne, Alex Ernst,

Alex Hickey, Hannah Shawler, Sarah Swinsky, Catie Swinsky,

Kirsten Whitmer, Miriam Post, Tina Sepahpur, Medelly Post,

Tyra Young, Victoria Cosby, Kirsten Whitney, Rachel Whitney,

Tori Raiser, Erin Ross, Rebecca Whilby, Jacklyn Ebiasah,

Hamnah Akmal, Brittany Norris, Ariana Creque, Christie

Justis, Janie Bocanegra, Caroline Shepard, Caylin Dawson,

Navila Alam, Kaitlyn Goodwin.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Battlefield High School Marching Bobcats for winning the honor of Grand Champion at the 2012 BCS National Championship Marching Competition. This is a well-deserved title that could not have been won without an extraordinary team effort. These young people represented our community on the national stage with distinction and embody the promise of our next generation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Boy Scouts of America Troop 1501 on the occasion of its 45th anniversary. Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with more than 4.5 million current members. Since its founding, nearly 84 million boys have participated in scouting.

Established in 1966, Troop 1501 has taught boys and young men in Springfield, Virginia, the skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. During the last 45 years, more than 1,000 scouts have been members of Troop 1501 and more than 115 scouts have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Nationally, about 2 percent of boys earn scouting's highest honor, but Troop 1501 shatters the national average with more than 11 percent of its scouts achieving that honor.

The extraordinary success of Troop 1501 is due in large part to exceptional troop leadership, dedicated families, and community support from local churches, businesses, and charitable organizations. Troop 1501 exemplifies the values and tenets of the Boy Scouts of America and supports the character development that encourages responsible citizenship and self-reliance through a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and community service. Members of this troop adhere to the Scout Law: ``A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and

reverent'' and by the Scout Slogan: ``Do a good turn daily''.

Scouting develops leadership skills and ethics that foster future success in life. Many of our country's greatest leaders have been scouts, and having been a scout, especially achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, is an achievement that is highly prized by our Military Service Academies.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Boy Scout Troop 1501 on the occasion of its 45th anniversary and in thanking its Scoutmaster Brian Hamilton, volunteers, family members and community sponsors for their commitment to our children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Marah Christian Counseling Center on the occasion of its 5th Anniversary.

In 2001, the Rev. Dr. Deloris Washington, who served as a pastoral counselor at the First Baptist Church of Merrifield, had a vision to create a Christian counseling center to provide care and counseling services to those facing emotional challenges and difficulties. In 2006, the vision became a reality when the Marah Christian Counseling Center, MCCC, opened its doors.

Since that time, MCCC has provided spiritually-based services to our community in four primary categories: Family Counseling, Individual Counseling, Pre-marital and Marital Counseling, and Support Groups. MCCC offers individual, couples, and group programs for all in need. Individual counseling services include anger management, depression, grief counseling, divorce and separation, financial counseling, stress management, and programs designed for the special needs of our children and teens. The pre-marital program offered by MCCC, which is a year- long program, is designed to ensure that areas of conflicts are addressed before the wedding and reduce subsequent divorce rates.

Each of us face pain, confusion, or loss of a loved one during our lifetime. I commend the Marah Christian Counseling Center for providing support during those difficult times.

Mr. Speaker I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Marah Christian Counseling Center on the occasion of its 5th anniversary, and in thanking the Rev. Dr. Deloris Washington for her leadership and service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and commemorate the 15th anniversary of the passing of Pastor Lenwood Graham, Sr. Pastor Graham served his community and his faith as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Merrifield from 1983 to 1997.

Pastor Graham devoted his life to serving his God, his church, his family, his country, and his community. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Ruth, a wonderful father to his children, Lenwood, Jr., and Lanya, and a doting grandfather. Pastor Graham served in the United States Army during the Vietnam war, achieving the rank of Sergeant. During his life, he was involved in numerous community organizations and activities including the NAACP, the Northern Virginia Baptist Association, and the Northern Virginia Ministers Conference. Always passionate about learning, he was enrolled in a Masters of Divinity program at the time of his passing on March 27, 1997, at the age of 50.

Pastor Graham led the First Baptist Church of Merrifield for 14 years. During this time, the membership of the church grew to more than 750, and the church became more active in foreign and domestic missionary work. Under his leadership, the Merrifield Child Development Center was established and continues to provide faith-based comprehensive pre-school and kindergarten educational programs as well as before and after school child care for local elementary schools.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the life of my friend, Pastor Lenwood Graham, Sr. The contributions he made during his much-too-short life continue to this day as a living testament to his faith and his service to our community, and they are worthy of our highest praise and commendation.