[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 28 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E430]]
 COMMEMORATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN'S CENTER OF NORTHERN 
       VIRGINIA AND WASHINGTON, DC--ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2005

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate 
The Women's Center of Northern Virginia and Washington DC on the 20th 
anniversary of its Annual Leadership Conference.
  The Women's Center, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, 
has been a resource for women in the workplace from its beginnings. The 
Center's first conference in 1985 was titled ``On the Job Issues for 
Working Women.'' Held at the Vienna Community Center, the conference 
addressed four related areas of professional development: career 
strategy; development of management skills; networking and mentoring; 
and work relationships. It was at this event that the Center's hallmark 
program, The Information and Career Advisory Network (ICAN) was 
introduced. ICAN makes a customized network of professionals available 
to each of its participants. As the number of women in management 
positions grew, so, too, did the scope of the Annual Conference. Recent 
titles included ``The Global Community of Women,'' ``The Economic 
Equity of Women,'' ``Caregiving in a Time of Change,'' and ``Women 
Leaders, Changing the Dynamic.'' With this year's Conference, ``Women 
in Leadership: Your Success Portfolio,'' the Women's Center continues 
its legacy of relevance and diversity by addressing the multiple 
definitions of and opportunities for leadership now available to women.
  As the scope and size of the Annual Leadership Conference grew, so 
did the services of The Women's Center. Founded as a counseling and 
educational organization in 1974, the Center now offers a wide range of 
services and programs addressing the psychological, career, financial 
and legal issues of women and families. Counseling services, including 
group therapy and support groups, are now offered to women, couples, 
families and children. The Center's Information and Referral Service, 
which acts as a resource gateway for local human service issues, 
handles about 25,000 calls a year. The Center provides over 50,000 
hours of direct client services annually, with approximately 75% at 
reduced or no fee.
  In 2004 The Women's Center was named Non-profit Organization of the 
Year by the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce.
  Also in 2004 The Women's Center opened an appropriations-funded, 
Washington, DC location. This location focuses on psychotherapy/
counseling and career-related services. Bilingual, reduced and no-fee 
services are provided to clients through partnerships with 12 social 
and human service agencies located throughout the District. The Women's 
Center is currently serving as the central support organization of the 
DC Cash Campaign, an initiative providing free tax preparation and 
asset-building services to the residents of Wards 5, 7 and 8 in the 
District.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I congratulate The Women's Center on its 
comprehensive range of services and unique contribution to the 
community. On the occasion of this 20th Annual Leadership Conference, I 
ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging this outstanding and 
distinguished organization.

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