[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 86 (Tuesday, June 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1142]]
          HONORING MAYOR JOHN MASON FOR EXEMPLARY CITIZENSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 2002

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to honor Mayor John Mason of Fairfax, Virginia for his 
strong showing of public service, citizenship, and dedication to 
Virginia's 11th Congressional District.
  John has been a valuable civil servant for over 15 years. First 
elected as a Fairfax City Councilman in 1986, John's dedication to 
public service and administration led him to his first successful 
mayoral election four years later. John served as mayor for the City of 
Fairfax for 12 years. During his administration transportation was 
persistently a top priority for John. He champions the adoption of a 
long-range transportation plan for the Washington metropolitan area. 
Among his recent accomplishments, John was successful in enhancing 
emergency transportation units after September 11, 2001.
  John, a renowned city leader, is recognized for revitalizing the City 
of Fairfax's economy and rejuvenating its residential and public areas. 
The City of Fairfax currently receives more Federal per capita spending 
than any other city in the United States. This advantage has greatly 
improved the welfare of the area. Since 1992, John decreased the City 
of Fairfax's office vacancy rate by nineteen percent. He has also 
sustained the city's niche as a desirable middle class community. Since 
1990, the city welcomed a twelve percent increase in new homes.
  John's work with the City of Fairfax's historic sites is also 
something to be commended. He rehabilitated the Old Town Hall, as well 
as the Ratcliffe-Allison House. Furthermore, believing that the future 
of the City of Fairfax relies on the preservation of its history, John 
commissioned a historic resources position to oversee his 
rehabilitation efforts.
  During the past decade in office, John successfully addressed issues 
of public safety and environmental concern. City of Fairfax residents 
have not witnessed a single homicide since 1996, and other major crimes 
have decreased more than four percent. Improvements in the areas of 
conservation and the environment involved increased recycling rates and 
employing pilot environment-friendly, bio-engineering techniques.
  John contributes beyond the responsibilities of his leadership 
position. While mayor, he served as chairman of the National Capital 
Regional Transportation Planning Board and the Association of 
Metropolitan Planning Organizations. In his professional career, John 
has been a vice president of the Science Applications International 
Corporation, and director of its Transportation Policy and Analysis 
Center.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my warmest gratitude to Mayor John Mason for 
his admirable contributions to the City of Fairfax. He has 
distinguished himself through his lifelong devotion to public and 
community service, and I call upon all of my colleagues to join me in 
applauding his achievements.

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