[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOHN HOREJSI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations 2007 Fairfax County 
Citizen of the Year, Mr. John Horejsi.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Horejsi has demonstrated selfless 
dedication to his community and committed to improving the lives of 
those in need. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, he 
began his career as a caseworker for the Missouri Division of Family 
Services, and worked his way up to become the Deputy Director 11 years 
later. In 1974, Mr. Horejsi moved to Washington D.C., and joined the 
American Public Welfare Association as a staff associate. Four years 
later, he became a program analyst at the Department of Health and 
Human Services' (HHS) Office of Family Assistance and later served as a 
Program Specialist at HHS. Since retiring after more than 40 years of 
dedicated service, Mr. Horejsi has fully committed himself to working 
for the Social Action Linking Together (SALT), a faith-based advocacy 
network he founded.
  Over the years, the SALT Network has grown in size to over 1,000 
members who advocate for social justice and fight to positively 
influence local public policy on behalf of low-income families. Since 
its founding, SALT has developed bi-partisan support in Fairfax County 
and Richmond for legislation that seeks to improve the conditions of: 
statewide homelessness, child support for low income families, 
oversight of problematic nursing homes, and taxation for food stamps. 
The organization has effectively lobbied Richmond by sending out e-mail 
updates and alerts about legislation, hosting annual training 
conferences to educate members, setting up meetings with state 
legislators, and coordinating an annual advocacy day in the capital 
city. Recently, Mr. Horejsi has been utilizing the SALT network to 
secure funding for childcare subsidies targeting low-income working 
families in Virginia, so that their children have access to safe and 
quality childcare and parents do not leave the workforce in order to 
qualify for the state benefits.
  Mr. Horejsi has always been willing and able to step forward when his 
fellow citizen was in need. His work with the SALT network has earned 
him the respect and support of many citizens in the community. I could 
not think of anyone more deserving of the Citizen of the Year award. 
Mr. Horejsi should be proud of his career and his accomplishments.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to commend and congratulate 
Mr. Horejsi on his impressive record of service to Fairfax County and 
the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. I call upon my colleagues 
to join me in honoring Mr. John Horejsi, the 2007 Fairfax County 
Federation of Citizens Associations Citizen of the Year.

                          ____________________