[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 44 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING WOMEN OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Women's History Month by bringing my colleagues' attention to some of 
the remarkable women of the Eleventh Congressional District of the 
proud Commonwealth of Virginia. These women, like so many in our 
District and throughout this nation, worked tirelessly for their 
families and communities at great personal expense, and deserve 
recognition for their exceptional contributions to our region's more 
recent history.
  One such example is that of Barbara Varon. A native of Germany, Varon 
immigrated to America as an adult and was devoted to her adopted land. 
As a world traveler who could speak several languages, she worked as a 
translator. Joining the Fairfax County General Registrar's Office, she 
was committed to a voter registration outreach program for high school 
students. Using her linguistic skills, she wrote brochures and designed 
pamphlets to inform the voting public. Her dedication led her to the 
position of chairman of the Fairfax County Electoral Board, a position 
in which she faithfully continued to serve her goal of seeing every 
citizen involved in the electoral process. Varon also donated her time 
to many volunteer organizations and frequently made generous anonymous 
donations to those in need. Varon fought valiantly for the rights and 
privileges of all residents to participate in the electoral process, 
and today, an award is granted annually in her name to a Fairfax County 
resident whose dedication to improving the community through volunteer 
service honors her memory.
  Phyllis Campbell Newsome, another exemplary woman from Virginia's 
Eleventh District, devoted her life to bringing together nonprofit 
organizations in the Greater Washington area. As the Center for 
Nonprofit Advancement's Director of Advocacy and Community Relations, 
Newsome understood the power and strength of coalitions. It was 
frequently the power of her persuasion that brought together those with 
the strongest of convictions and convinced them to put aside 
differences, enabling a powerful nonprofit community bent on positive 
change. Additionally, she was a consistent and reliable source for the 
media and other community leaders who needed to know how the nonprofit 
community would be affected by anything from a hot button issue to a 
broad policy change. Often quoting Tip O'Neill's, ``All politics are 
local,'' she felt she could be most effective helping those she 
especially cared about -- the poor and underserved communities--by 
working with local elected officials rather than at the state or even 
federal levels. A true community advocate, Phyllis Newsome is also 
memorialized by an annual award that is granted to an outstanding group 
of public servants for their dedication to the region's nonprofit 
community.
  While neither of these outstanding women are with us today, their 
legacy lives on through the recognition of the ongoing contributions of 
the noble men and women of our District that occur annually in their 
name. The arrival of Women's History Month serves to remind us that we 
are fortunate to have such a legacy of service in our rich historical 
tapestry. I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding the 
contributions of Barbara Varon, Phyllis Campbell Newsome, and the women 
of the Eleventh Congressional District of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 
past and present, in honor of Women's History Month.

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