[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 96 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF THE ANNANDALE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY FOR ACTION

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                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 1997

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in 
celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Annandale Christian Community 
for Action, a group which provides a safety net for needy families and 
individuals in my district through volunteer social action programs. 
ACCA is a model provider of child care for low- and moderate-income 
families and their array of volunteer programs in emergency assistance 
in transportation services is unparalleled in northern Virginia.
  Thirty years ago, the Higher Horizons Day Care Center learned that 13 
of the children enrolled would have to be ejected because the income of 
their working parents was slightly greater than the set poverty 
standard. Fred and Emily Ruffing, members of St. Michael's Catholic 
Church, which had organized Higher Horizons saw this impending crisis 
as a focal point for organizing Annandale's Christian community. In 
late February of that year, Fred met with Annandale clergy and lay 
people form the local congregations to explain what was needed. On 
March 13, 1967, at Peace Lutheran Church, about three dozen members of 
the local church community gathered and ACCA was born. Responding to 
the demonstrated need for more day care facilities, particularly ones 
open to minority children, January 1968 marked the opening of the ACCA 
Day Care Center at John Calvin Presbyterian Church. This center still 
serves today as an outstanding model for other similar facilities in 
the provision of quality care and education for nearly 200 children.
  ACCA programs are operated almost entirely by hundreds of volunteers 
and financed primarily through donations from its 25 member churches, 
individuals, and groups. These programs include emergency food and 
monetary assistance for such basic necessities such as rent, utilities, 
and medical expenses. Additionally, ACCA has developed programs that 
provide individuals with transportation to medical and therapy 
appointments, collection and delivery of used furniture, college 
scholarships for students with special challenges, and repairs and 
provision of shelter to homeless families.
  ACCA Inc. is governed by a board of directors comprised of official 
representatives from its 25 member churches. All functions, including 
those of officers, committee chairperson, and service providers, remain 
carried out by volunteers. From the beginning, ACCA has had successful 
continuing partnerships, not only with its member churches, but also 
with Fairfax County and the private sector. Drawing on its large pool 
of volunteers, ACCA also collaborates with Christmas-in-April, Meals on 
Wheels, and two local shelters. Both the Fairfax County Board of 
Supervisors and the Virginia General Assembly have passed resolutions 
commending ACCA for leadership and continuity of effort in carrying out 
community social action programs.
  Throughout 1997, ACCA's board and member churches are celebrating 
both the remarkable achievements of the small, dedicated group of local 
citizens who began ACCA in 1967 and the growth and flexibility of 
ACCA's programs over three decades in meeting the needs of this dynamic 
suburban area. I know my colleagues will join me in applauding ACCA for 
continuously carrying out successful community social action programs 
for three decades. It is a model worthy of emulation by others, 
nationwide, in meeting the challenges of immigration, poverty, and 
welfare reform.

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