[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 192 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA--
                             PRINCE WILLIAM

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2011

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
20th Anniversary of Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William.
  Founded in 1991 by local librarian Dona Swanson to help teach a 
library patron to read, Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William 
has since grown to 300 volunteers and 600 students. Despite its 
impressive growth, LVA-PW has maintained its direct service approach, 
providing individualized adult literacy tutoring based on the personal 
needs and goals of adult learners seeking to improve their education 
and employment skills. LVA-PW's programs are well-researched and 
constantly tracked and evaluated by staff to ensure their 
effectiveness. This has proven to be a highly successful model; in 
2010, LVA-PW's adult learners received a total of 12,000 hours of 
instruction, with nearly 80% achieving at least one of their personal 
goals.
  Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William has established itself 
as an institution in the community, fostering local partnerships to 
strengthen both their own services and those of other community groups, 
including the Prince William County Library System, the Virginia 
Employment Center, Northern Virginia Community College, the Prince 
William County Adult Education Program, and local businesses through 
workplace literacy programs. Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince 
William has additionally been recognized in the past as Community 
Service Organization of the Year by the Prince William Regional Chamber 
of Commerce, Volunteer Organization of the Quarter by Prince William 
County, and Friday's Hero by the local Channel 9 News. Most recently, 
LVA-PW Executive Director Kim Sells received the Nancy Jiranek Award 
for Outstanding Virginia Adult Literacy Executive Director from the 
Virginia Literacy Foundation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 20th 
Anniversary of Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William. I also 
express my gratitude to LVA-PW's volunteer tutors and trainers, Board 
of Directors, and staff for helping to empower members of the community 
by increasing life skills and workforce potential through literacy.

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