[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 RECOGNIZING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2012 SHELTER HOUSE, INC. VOLUNTEER 
                                 AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2012

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
remarkable efforts of Shelter House, Inc., and to congratulate the 
recipients of the 2012 Volunteer Awards. Shelter House is a community-
based, non-profit organization that works to break the cycle of 
homelessness by offering support to those most in need in the Northern 
Virginia community. Shelter House provides crisis intervention, 
temporary housing, training, counseling, and programs to support self-
sufficiency. Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard 
work of its dedicated volunteers.
  Shelter House was founded in 1981 by several ecumenical groups, which 
came together to better serve low-income individuals and families. 
Shelter House operates three shelters: The Katherine K. Hanley and the 
Patrick Henry family shelters, which provide temporary housing for 
local families who become homeless, and Artemis House, Fairfax County's 
domestic violence shelter. Shelter House also has transitional housing 
programs, and it provides services for families that have found 
permanent housing. This assistance is vital to breaking the cycle of 
homelessness.
  Volunteers and community partners are essential to the success of 
Shelter House, as they provide the tools necessary to combat 
homelessness. Their time, money, and effort compose the foundation of 
Shelter House's commendable work. This year, Shelter House has chosen 
several such individuals and partners to recognize for their 
outstanding commitment to ending homelessness in our community.
  I join Shelter House in commending the following individuals and 
organizations being honored with 2012 Volunteer Awards:
  Community Champion--Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC;
  Community Champion--Virginia Tire and Auto;
  Community Partner--Reading Connection;
  Community Partner--Southview Community Church;
  Community Partner--Keller Williams, Fairfax Gateway Office;
  Friend of Shelter House--Chantelle Tait;
  Friend of Shelter House--Mike Katounis & Homeworks Painting;
  Friend of Shelter House--Great Falls Womens Club;
  Public Service Award--Captain Willie Bailey & Fairfax County Fire and 
Rescue Department;
  Public Service Award--Kathi Sheffel & Homeless Liaison Office Tutors 
of Fairfax County Public Schools;
  Public Service Award--Lorraine McLean & the Fairfax County Health 
Department;
  Building Bridges Building Hope Award--Lord of Life Lutheran Church;
  Building Bridges Building Hope Award--Diane Jenkins;
  Building Bridges Building Hope Award--The Quilt Patch;
  Youth Volunteer Award--Men On a Mission;
  Youth Volunteer Award--Russ Soper; and
  Youth Volunteer Award--Alec Powell.
  The aforementioned individuals and organizations certainly deserve 
special recognition for their dedication to Shelter House. However, one 
also must acknowledge the importance of all Shelter House volunteers, 
who constantly strive to better our community through efforts to 
provide secure, structured environments, as well as indispensable 
support, for families in need. These volunteers and partners allow 
Shelter House to effectively battle homelessness by empowering families 
to achieve self sufficiency.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our sincere 
appreciation to Shelter House and its many volunteers and partners. 
Their selfless work benefits the entire Northern Virginia community and 
improves the lives of many of our neighbors.

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