[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE LITERARY COUNCIL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA'S 50 YEARS OF 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2012

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
50th Anniversary of the Literary Council of Northern Virginia.
  Founded in 1962, the LCNV is the oldest literacy program in the state 
and one of the largest literacy councils in the nation. Throughout its 
50 years of service, the LCNV has adapted to the growing needs of the 
Northern Virginia community to serve adult learners at the lowest 
literacy level. By empowering approximately 1,600 adult learners to 
better participate in their communities, the LCNV is ensuring the 
economic success of hundreds of local families for a lifetime.
  With the help of more than 1,000 volunteers, the LCNV has become one 
of the more efficient and effective community-based literacy 
organizations in the country. In FY2011, these trained volunteers 
provided more than 31,000 hours of service, which amounts to an average 
of 84 hours of volunteer service per day. Their longstanding 
partnerships with community organizations such as Crestwood Elementary 
School, Woodlawn Elementary School, and the Lorton Senior Center, 
ensure neighborhood ties that foster educational growth for the whole 
family.
  Following an economic downturn, adult education becomes a low 
priority for many low-level literacy adults. Even in the face of this, 
the LCNV's programs saw improved retention and attendance rates. This 
last year, it also added a credentialed Special Education teacher to 
its staff to ensure a learner-focused education for any adult with 
learning differences.
  Recognized for the second time as ``One of the Best Small Charities 
in the Washington, D.C. Region'' by the Catalogue for Philanthropy, the 
LCNV is continually lauded as a successful and valued partner in the 
community. It has been acknowledged for its leadership in human rights 
and cultural diversity through numerous awards, including the Virginia 
State Reading Association's Annual Literacy Award, the Virginia 
Foundation's Award for Volunteering Excellence, and the Arlington Human 
Rights Commission's James B. Hunter Human Rights Award.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 50th 
Anniversary of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. Its values of 
Integrity, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, and Excellence have 
propelled it to success for the past 50 years and will continue to 
carry the Council through the next 50 years. I also want to express my 
gratitude to the LCNV staff, Board of Directors, and countless 
volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to empower neighbors 
of our community to develop basic skills of reading, writing, and 
speaking English.

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