[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 38 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS FAMILY HISTORY MONTH

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2011

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
October as Family History Month.
  The study of family history gives individuals a sense of heritage and 
sense of responsibility in carrying out a legacy that their ancestors 
began. The involvement of national, state, and local officials in 
encouraging genealogy and providing family history records in archives 
and libraries is an important factor in the successful perception of 
nationwide participation and support. Our nation's libraries and 
archives hold treasured records that detail the history of our nation, 
states, communities, and citizens. Increasingly, individuals across our 
nation are embarking on genealogical journeys, discovering who their 
ancestors were and learning how various forces have shaped their pasts.
  In the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is a high level of interest in 
genealogy and family history research throughout the state. Virginians 
contribute to our commonwealth's rich cultural diversity and history, 
and it is important to recognize the positive contributions to our 
society made by people throughout the history of our commonwealth. 
Through genealogical research, Virginians are finding renewed interests 
in history, languages, laws, and social science. Virginia's libraries 
and archives contain records of history that detail the background of 
the Commonwealth of Virginia, our communities and our citizens. There 
are over 250 genealogical and historical societies, archives and 
libraries throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia to assist with family 
history research.
  Several genealogical research organizations and centers exist in 
Northern Virginia that include hundreds of members, giving significant 
research opportunities to the communities of Northern Virginia such as 
Fairfax County, which is an ethnically diverse jurisdiction in which 
nearly everyone has a family origin from another place. One such 
organization, the Mount Vernon Genealogical Society, has almost 300 
paid members with 100 individuals meeting monthly and volunteers 
assisting the general public at its research center. The Fairfax 
Genealogical Society has approximately 400 members with over 100 
individuals meeting monthly, and holds both a fall and spring 
conference. Within the Washington area, there are up to 40 lectures, 
seminars, and conferences in a month.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing October 
as Family History Month and celebrating the preservation of family and 
heritage within our communities, states, and nation.

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