[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E6]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO THE HERNDON, VA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
organization that has helped fuel the economy of Northern Virginia for 
the past forty years. On January 20, 1999 the Herndon Chamber of 
Commerce will celebrate its 40th anniversary serving the needs and 
interests of the businesses of Herndon, VA. The Herndon Chamber of 
Commerce was founded by Town Attorney Marshall A. Martin, and was 
officially incorporated on January 20, 1959 with three members. As they 
approach their 40th anniversary, the Chamber will have been presided 
over by twenty-four presidents and its membership has grown to over 650 
businesses.
  Being the instrument of Herndon's commercial interests the Chamber is 
irrevocably linked to the Town and people they serve. In its early 
years, the Herndon Chamber was essential in raising money for the first 
Christmas decorations for downtown and led the fight to keep the W&OD 
Railroad in operation. Since its humble beginnings the Chamber has been 
quintessential in spearheading the combined fund-raising efforts for 
the new golf course and Community Center, helped found the Herndon 
Historical Society, and led the effort to preserve the Depot, a 
treasured Herndon landmark.
  Over the last decade the Chamber has taken even greater steps to 
strengthen its relationship with the Herndon community. Most notably, 
the Chamber has formed a business partnership with Herndon High, 
developed a nationally recognized, award-winning recycling program at 
the High School with SAGA, and stages an annual Ethics Seminar for the 
junior class and the Herndon Middle School. The Chamber has recently 
lent its support to Vecinos Unidos--a group dedicated to tutoring 
Hispanic children in and around Herndon. They also host a Friday Night 
Live! Series that provides the community with an opportunity to come 
together and socialize during the summer, while highlighting the 
downtown area.
  The Chamber's resume of economic development initiatives is 
extensive. They include a joint project with the Town of Herndon to 
produce both print and CD versions of The Herndon Advantage as a 
business relocation marketing tool. In recognition of the 
telecommunications revolution being led by Northern Virginia, the 
Herndon Chamber recently participated in the World Congress on 
Information Technology as an affiliate sponsor. The Chamber was one of 
the very first in the country to establish and maintain a comprehensive 
and interactive home page and the second Chamber of Commerce in the 
State of Virginia to offer a free home page to its members.
  From a legislative perspective, the Herndon Chamber has taken an 
aggressive leadership role to find and present transportation solutions 
to both the Virginia General Assembly and the U.S. Congress. It has 
also been supportive of BPOL and zoning ordinance amendments for the 
growing force of home-based businesses.
  Ultimately, and most importantly, the Herndon Chamber of Commerce 
provides its members with a wide variety of networking opportunities 
all designed to promote and further the commercial interests of the 
Town of Herndon. For their four-decades long commitment to the 
businesses and community of Herndon, VA, it gives me great pleasure to 
acknowledge the work of the Herndon Chamber of Commerce on the eve of 
their 40th anniversary.

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