[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 62 (Monday, April 27, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E985-E986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING VOLUNTEERS OF FAIRFAX COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 27, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the contributions 
that its volunteers make to our community. Fairfax CASA serves as an 
advocate for best interest of every abused and neglected child referred 
by the county juvenile system. CASA volunteers perform critical 
services to ensure the very best care and home environment for each 
child. Each year Fairfax CASA honors the most outstanding volunteers 
for their noble devotion.
  Fairfax CASA presented its May Cook ``Heart of Gold'' Award to John 
Nelson. Mr. Nelson personifies the truly dedicated CASA volunteer. Over 
the past six years, he has advocated tirelessly on behalf of 19 
children, fully committing his efforts to each child until a safe and 
permanent home is secured. John digs deep below the surface for 
information; he often interviews every single person interfacing with a 
child in order to gain a complete picture of what is going on in the 
child's world. For this dedication, Fairfax CASA acknowledged his 
efforts with its highest volunteer honor.
  Eight individuals are recognized by Fairfax CASA for their 
outstanding volunteer commitment based on a variety of quantitative 
measurements. Those individuals receiving the Special Achievement Award 
are: Connie Jaiswal, Pam Jones, Mark Knopf, Marie Mader, Frank Murphy, 
Shirley Readyhough, Bob Steward, and Lisa Walsh.
  A number of volunteers with Fairfax CASA are recognized for achieving 
significant milestones of longevity with the program. The following 
volunteers were recognized for five years of service: Glenn MacKinnon, 
Barbara McLaughlin, Terry Nelson, Todd Skipper, and Phyllis Surrett; 
for ten years of service: Nancy Hall; and, for fifteen years of 
service: Sandy Summers.
  The outstanding efforts of the above-mentioned individuals merit 
special recognition but one must acknowledge the impact of all 165 
volunteers who contributed their time to protect and support children 
through Fairfax CASA in 2008. These volunteers served 484 abused and 
neglected children including 214 newly referred by the Court. In 
serving these individuals, volunteers contributed more than 19,000 
hours on their court assigned cases including completing 3,004 face-to-
face visits and submitting 207 comprehensive and objective reports to 
the courts.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in expressing 
our gratitude for the efforts of these volunteers and their colleagues 
at Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates. The selfless commitment 
of these individuals provides enumerable benefits to

[[Page E986]]

Northern Virginia and life-changing services to the children and 
families being served.

                          ____________________