[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 44 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING ANNE A. ANDREWS, FAIRFAX COUNTY'S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Anne A. Andrews, Fairfax County's Citizen of the Year. For over three 
decades, Anne Andrews has raised her voice for, and our awareness of, 
the needs of Fairfax County's most vulnerable residents. She 
demonstrates an unparalleled dedication to helping others and is one of 
the most committed citizen leaders in the County. The passion she 
embodies is apparent in the expansiveness and intensity of volunteer 
services she has faithfully provided over the years.
  Anne is most well-known for her tireless commitment and dedicated 
service, for the past 34 years, as Convener of the Route One Task Force 
for Human Services, providing a collaborative forum for over 40 
community and government representatives and community-based 
organizations. The Task Force has raised awareness of issues, developed 
capacities to fill service gaps, and engaged wide community 
participation in enhancing mental health and homeless services as well 
as providing more accessible health care in the Richmond Highway area.
  Anne's expertise lies in identifying a need and mobilizing an entire 
community to help serve that need. An excellent example is that of the 
Community Health Care Network (CHCN), formed in 1989, an organization 
that credits its formation largely to her tireless advocacy. It is one 
of the best resources to provide accessible, quality primary health 
care services for low income, uninsured, and underinsured residents. 
She was a key force behind pulling together community support, helping 
establish the CHCN that today enrolls over 20,000 residents each year 
through three community health care centers. Since its beginning, she 
has served as a stalwart member of the CHCN Community Advisory 
Committee.
  Anne also championed the establishment of the Program of Assertive 
Community Treatment (PACT), providing comprehensive, community-based 
services in areas of treatment, rehabilitation, and support for the 
most severely mentally ill members of our community for whom 
traditional clinic-based treatments have been insufficient. She was 
unanimously elected to lead the Southeast Health Planning Task Force, 
established to develop strategies to provide enhanced services and 
deliver accessible health care in southeastern Fairfax County. Anne co-
revived a Citizen's Advisory Board to strengthen the Mount Vernon 
Center for Community Mental Health. The Board assists in improved 
service delivery, advocates for expanded mental health programs, and 
provides citizen advice on mental health issues and policies.
  Under Anne's leadership, the first shelter for the homeless in 
Fairfax County was established in the Richmond Corridor. More recently, 
she facilitated a community tie-in to the county's hypothermia project.
  Anne remains a steady and effective advocate for community-based 
mental health treatment and community access to health care, 
particularly for the most vulnerable members of our community. There 
are few people who take the time and energy to affect a community so 
greatly and as positively as Anne. Due to her outstanding contributions 
and persistent efforts, Fairfax County is a healthier community, and I 
ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Anne Andrews as the 2008 
Fairfax County Citizen of the Year.