[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE BEST OF RESTON AWARD WINNERS FOR 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 1997

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to 
rise today to pay tribute to the individuals and businesses who are 
this years winners of the Best of Reston Awards. These awards are made 
annually by the Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Interfaith. The 
Best of Reston Community Service Award was created to recognize 
companies, organizations, and individuals who have made outstanding 
contributions to community service, and/or who have improved the lives 
of people in need in Reston, VA.
  Blooms Flowershop for continuous and generous support to the 
community including sponsoring the Random Act of Kindness Day where 
thousands of roses were distributed throughout the community. Blooms 
also provides arrangements to the elderly and to nonprofit groups for 
events. Owners Karen Weinberg and Gail Dobberfuhl will receive the 
award on behalf of the business.
  Lawrence Cohn owner of Lakeside Pharmacy, who for 25 years, has 
reached out to those in need. Typical of an old-fashioned pharmacy, 
Cohn provides a friendly ear, advice and encouragement to his 
customers. Rising above the call of duty, Cohn has administered eye 
drops to those unable to do so for themselves, delivered medicine, 
supplied groceries at the pharmacy, provided jobs for teenagers, and 
given prescriptions to those at the Embry Rucker Shelter.
  Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons basketball team. Hill is a role 
model to young Restonians on and off the court. He is involved in 
several projects benefiting others. These projects include the Medical 
Care for Children Partnership, the Grant Hill Basketball Tournament and 
the Grant Hill chocolate bars. The basketball tournament benefits 
children's hospitals nationally while the chocolate bars benefit the 
Technology 2000 program at South Lakes High School.
  INOVA Health System is named for its diversity of programs involving 
the community including the mall walkers, Sneakers and Speakers 
program, community health screenings, partnership with Reston 
Interfaith, Life with Cancer program, and support of the Special 
Olympics. More than 200 INOVA employees have volunteered their time for 
programs including Christmas in April, Volunteerfest, Safe Kids 
coalition, food drives, Fairfax Fair, the International Children's 
Festival, the Reston Festival, and the Northern Virginia Fine Arts 
Festival sponsored by GRACE. INOVA's president is Knox Singleton.
  Carolyn Lavallee a chemistry teacher at South Lakes, was chosen for 
her commitment to education and public service. Her involvement covers 
a range of activities from leading Girl Scouts, advising youth, and 
coordinating the Wetlands project in conjunction with Reston 
Association.
  The Samway Family for their commitment to cancer research. The family 
created the Kathryn Fox Samway Outback Steakhouse Memorial Golf 
Tournament which, in the past 4 years, has raised close to $1 million 
donated to Fairfax Hospital, National Cancer Institute, and the Dana-
Farber Cancer Institute.
  Thomas Wilkins for being a man if all seasons having served as an 
active member of the NAACP, the President of the Reston Association 
(RA), active in Meals-on-Wheels, offering services as a tutor in public 
schools, served on the Stonegate Advisory Board, assisted children 
attend college and served as a founding board member for the Medical 
Care for Children Partnership. Tom also has served as a member of my 
staff when I was chairman of the County Board of Supervisors.
  Constance L. Pettinger is awarded the Distinguished Community Service 
Award for 15 years at Reston Interfaith. Her work in helping the 
homeless, the hungry, and the needy has been an inspiration to all of 
us who know her.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in honoring the Best of 
Reston Award winners for all of their hard work in making Reston, VA, 
an outstanding place to live and work. Their daily heroics deserve 
recognition and gratitude from a grateful community.

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