[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ROCK SPRING CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST'S 100TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rock Spring 
Congregational United Church of Christ in Arlington on the celebration 
of its 100th anniversary on May 20, 2012. Founded a century ago by a 
group of neighbors gathered at a home near a stop on the Old Dominion 
trolley line, from its humble beginnings this church congregation has 
grown tremendously, and along the way has become a bedrock of the 
Arlington community and beyond.
  In the 1930s, Rock Spring's women formed Arlington's first library, 
Rohrer Children's Library, which is now the oldest public library in 
Arlington. Today it holds over 5,000 books and remains open to the 
community, serving as an invaluable resource.
  The County's population grew after World War II, yet there were no 
kindergartens in Arlington. To help meet the need, Rock Spring's women 
became the driving force behind the 1944 opening of the still-thriving 
Rock Spring Cooperative Pre-School, which operates on church property.
  In the 1950s and 60s, Rock Spring's congregation and individual 
members supported and actively worked for the desegregation of the 
Arlington Public Schools and other public places.
  The church and its members have supported and led movements to create 
social service and volunteer organizations in Arlington and Northern 
Virginia including: Hospice of Northern Virginia (now Capital Caring), 
Meals on Wheels, FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help), the Arlington 
Food Assistance Center (AFAC), AMEN (Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency 
Needs) and the Arlington Housing Corporation.
  Numerous Rock Spring members, including the late Virginia Delegate 
Mary Marshall, and long serving Arlington County Board members Ellen 
Bozman and Jim Hunter, have served as public office holders and on 
local, regional and state boards and commissions.
  Looking towards the future, Rock Spring members have declared their 
church to be a ``Just Peace'' and ``open and affirming'' congregation, 
and a place where a welcome is extended to all. They continue the 
church's tradition of activism and charitable work through activities 
such as the ``Fifth Sunday'' initiative, gardening for AFAC, and youth 
mission trips to build houses.
  I would like to ask my colleagues in the House to join me in 
commending the Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ for 
its 100 years of commitment of service to Arlington, Northern Virginia, 
and the wider world, and to encourage their congregation to continue 
its faithful activism for the next century. I send my sincere thanks 
for their unwavering service to Northern Virginia.

                          ____________________