[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E905]]


HONORING CLAIRE LUKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRAL FAIRFAX CHAMBER 
                              OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2004

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Claire 
Luke for over 13 years of dedicated service to the Central Fairfax 
Chamber of Commerce as the Executive Director.
  Ms. Luke first served the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce (CFCC) 
as Events Coordinator in 1989. At that time, chamber membership was 
comprised of 250 businesses, and the group held only two events per 
month. Since then, largely due to Ms. Luke's dedicated efforts and 
impressive organization, membership has increased to over 850 
businesses. Today, 3,500 area business people are able to participate 
in 7-10 events per month.
  For years, Ms. Luke has worked tirelessly on the chamber's behalf. 
She successfully has overseen coordination of seminars, breakfasts, 
luncheons, mixers, and 12 active committees. Additionally, she 
skillfully has directed special events such as the Regional Business 
Showcase, the Taste of Fairfax, Fall Family Festival, and a golf 
tournament.
  Under Ms. Luke's guidance, the CFCC scholarship, awarded annually to 
a select number of deserving high school seniors, has gained great 
recognition. Ms. Luke further contributes to local education by serving 
on the board of directors for the Margaret Kilpatrick Adams Scholarship 
Fund.
  Ms. Luke also has been incredibly involved in the annual Chocolate 
Festival, which the CFCC sponsors. She was a member of the founding 
board for this event and has served on this committee for 14 years. For 
the past two years, she has served as committee chairman.
  Throughout her accomplished career, Ms. Luke has received numerous 
awards, among them the 1999 ATHENA Award honoring her efforts in 
fostering business leadership and assistance. Ms. Luke was also 
admitted into the DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) Hall 
of Fame for her assistance to Robinson Secondary School with their 
National Projects. Furthermore, in 1998, Ms. Luke's high standards and 
extensive contributions led to her selection as the Rotarian of the 
Year, and also as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1996.
  Not only a dedicated community servant, Ms. Luke also is a loving 
wife and mother of two. While raising her family, she was able to make 
time to serve on the Family Services Board of Directors, as President 
of the Officers' Wives Club, and as a volunteer in the Red Cross during 
her husband's military career in the Air Force.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to extend my best wishes to Ms. 
Luke on her retirement from the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. 
While I know that she will be greatly missed, her retirement is well 
deserved. Her significant contributions are much appreciated and 
greatly admired. I congratulate her on a job well done. I call upon my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Luke and in wishing her the best 
of luck in all future endeavors.

                          ____________________