[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 74 (Monday, May 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE DEDICATED LIFE AND WORK OF MR. ART KELLAR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2003

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Art 
Kellar, an outstanding citizen of Fairfax, Virginia, who, for over half 
a century, has served his community and country.
  Art and his wife Betty made the initial gift to establish the Inova 
Kellar Center in 1992. The Kellars personally understood the need for a 
mental health care facility for children and adolescents--and their 
families--suffering from substance abuse and mental health problems, so 
they decided to do something about the lack of such a facility in our 
area by starting the Inova Kellar Center. The Center reaches out to 
children and families suffering from the effects of mental health and 
substance abuse problems. The Center offers programs ranging from in-
home services for families with at-risk adolescents to a fully 
certified, accredited therapeutic day school providing comprehensive 
treatment to its pupils. Children and adolescents from Northern 
Virginia, DC, and suburban Maryland currently come to the Inova Kellar 
Center for treatment. A not-for-profit outpatient mental health and 
substance abuse treatment center, the Inova Kellar Center has filled 
what was a gaping void in our community since its founding over a 
decade ago.
  Mr. Kellar's contributions to the community, however, began long 
before 1992. He served our country in the Second World War in Italy, 
moving to Fairfax upon his return from service. He has long been an 
innovator and creator--a quick glance at his biography reveals the word 
``founder'' perhaps more often than any other word! He founded OK 
Broadcasting in 1955 with George Olsen and sold it in 1978. He also 
founded EZ Communications in Fairfax in 1967 with WEZR-FM, which then 
expanded to Charlotte, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Miami, and St. Louis. 
At the same time he acquired 9 stations in other cities, finally 
selling the flagship station in 1996 at a sizable profit for his many 
investors.
  A generous philanthropist, Mr. Kellar has used his high earnings to 
make the community a better place, giving kindly to the aforementioned 
Inova Kellar Center and George Mason University. Here is a man who 
donates his resources to bettering two crucial pillars of society: 
Health and Education. And he understands that the way to make a 
difference in the world is to start in your local community. Mr. Kellar 
loves golf and the Redskins--it seems to follow naturally that he loves 
and works to improve northern Virginia. Literally thousands of workers 
owe their careers to Mr. Kellar. Northern Virginia joins these people 
in their debt of gratitude to Art Kellar, and extends him heartfelt 
thanks for his continuing role in bettering the lives of children, 
adolescents, and families. Mr. Chairman, the life and service of this 
Virginian serve as a shining example to all who wish to improve health 
and education through civic and philanthropic involvement.

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