[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 53 (Wednesday, May 3, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E620-E621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE 2000 BEST OF RESTON AWARD WINNERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 2000

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor those 
residents of Reston, Virginia who have been awarded the Best of Reston 
Community Service Award, which is presented annually by the Greater 
Reston Chamber of Commerce and Reston Interfaith to honor businesses 
and individuals that have gone above the norm in their service to 
others in the Reston community.
  Dan Amato and the Hyatt Regency Reston--for their strong work ethic, 
invaluable customer service and commitment to the community. Both Dan 
Amato and the staff of the Hyatt Regency Reston have taken enormous 
strides to host a quality facility in Reston. Throughout their years in 
the Reston Town Center, they have been more than willing to donate 
time, resources and money to the many organizations that patronize 
their hotel. Whether it has been hosting an event for the Reston 2000 
Task Force, donating gift certificates for countless charities and 
community organizations, or supporting the Greater Reston Arts Center's 
(GRACE) gallery and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Dan Amato 
and the Hyatt have made continuous strides to be involved in every 
aspect of the community. Many charities and organizations have 
benefited from their generosity. Their services--whether it is as host 
for a meeting or sponsor of an event--are highlighted by their quality 
of work and impressive work ethic.
  Willie Bush--for his desire to help the less fortunate. Willie Bush 
is a well known figure within the family of Reston's Martin Luther King 
Christian Church. As Chairman of the Church Outreach Center, he has 
spent 14 years providing holiday food baskets, serving as a member of 
Reston Interfaith, the Reston Jaycees and the Church Bible Study/Choir/
Deacon Board, and serving as a member of the ``Works Sunday Project,'' 
an outreach activity in support of the homeless, abused women and 
senior citizens. Throughout his long history of providing assistance to 
others, he has exemplified his Christian living by working for the 
poor, visiting the sick and feeding the hungry. Whether a member has 
needed food or clothing, money to pay utility bills or simply support, 
Willie Bush has given of himself and worked for the betterment of the 
Reston community.
  Nancy Burke--for her tireless efforts and support of athletics in the 
community. Nancy Burke currently serves as a Health and Physical 
Education, Sports Medicine and Driver's Education teacher at South 
Lakes High School. As the school's head athletic trainer, she oversees 
medical assistance to athletes and trains student assistants to 
administer help. As a teacher, she has gone above the call of duty by 
working to improve the school's athletic training facility and taking 
her students on numerous trips to learn about sports medicine. Outside 
of the classroom, she continues her role by volunteering with the 
Reston youth football and softball teams and donating her time and 
efforts to help students with counseling and advice. Nancy Burke has 
had a positive influence on the lives of the countless students she has 
known during her years at South Lakes, whether it is through athletics 
or her role as a teacher and friend.
  Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE)--for promoting the importance of 
arts and enriching individual and community life in Reston. For 25 
years, GRACE has strived to foster and promote excellence in 
contemporary visual arts. GRACE has worked directly with the youth of
  Michael Guthrie--for his inner drive to make Reston the best possible 
place to live and to raise a family. Michael Guthrie is an active 
member of the Reston community in every way. Whether as a 
representative on the Reston 2000 Task Force, a supporter of the 
American Cancer Society, a coach in the

[[Page E621]]

Reston Youth Athlete Association or a member of the Reston Rail Scope 
of Work, he has given his all to ensure success. Along with his work as 
office manager of the Long & Foster Wiehle Avenue Office, Michael 
Guthrie has wasted no time supporting many organizations in Reston. He 
has volunteered to serve on numerous committees and has always taken a 
leadership role. From spearheading the public relations campaign for 
the 2000 Martin Luther King Celebration, to arranging for motivational 
speakers for students at Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes 
High School, to creating an opportunity for realtors to donate to 
Reston Interfaith through a deduction on commission checks and many 
more, Michael has put his heart into support of all walks of life in 
Reston. His energy and enthusiasm for Reston has not gone unnoticed by 
his co-workers and fellow citizens, who are often inspired to serve 
along with him. Michael Guthrie has gone beyond what is expected of any 
citizen and continues to make a contribution to the community.
  Joe and Marcia Stowers--for their continued work to improve 
transportation in Reston. Joe and Marcia Stowers have been involved in 
almost every land use and transportation projects in Reston. Through 
their service on the Reston Community Association Planning and Zoning 
Committee, Reston on Foot, Reston 2000 and more, the Stowers have 
shared their expertise to benefit every resident and transient, worker, 
bicyclist, and pedestrian. The Stowers have had a hand in countless 
transportation issues in Reston, including creating the Reston 
Transportation Committee, assisting in the formation of LINK, 
advocating for HOV lanes on the Dulles Toll Road, and more recently, 
supporting rail to Dulles. The Stowers arrived among the first settlers 
in Reston in 1965 and have both lived and worked--now at Sydec Inc., a 
transportation-consulting firm--around the Lake Anne Village Center. 
After 30 years of community service, they have succeeded in encouraging 
a new generation to become active in Reston civic affairs and to play 
roles as emerging community leaders.
  Vicky Wingert--for her steadfast effort as a community volunteer. 
Vicky Wingert has gone well beyond her role as Executive Vice President 
of Reston Association (RA) in working for a better Reston, where her 
personal contributions go far beyond her job related duties. She uses 
her talent in firm-making to maximize the visual image of Reston for 
residents, visitors and employers. She has volunteered her services in 
the production of The Difference is Reston; Reston Interfaith's 25 
Anniversary celebration, a presentation that stressed the importance of 
its program; and Pals, the Movie, a firm created for PALS, Reston's 
early learning center, to assist parents in selecting a quality care 
facility. Vicky also volunteers for countless other programs, including 
the Reston Festival, Character Counts! Coalition of Reston, the 
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, the Martin Luther King Jr. 
Celebration and more. Throughout her 23 years of community service, her 
volunteer efforts have been to the advantage of the entire community 
and have affected thousands. She is a strong advocate for the community 
and seeks to provide the leadership necessary to further implement the 
goals on which Reston was founded. She is a wonderful steward and acts 
from the conviction that Reston, on her watch, will be an extraordinary 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in honoring the Best of 
Reston award winners for all of their hard work in making their 
community a better place to live.

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