[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 108 (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING GAIL PENNYBACKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2012

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gail Pennybacker, an 
award-winning, longtime television journalist who has covered local 
news in the District, Maryland--and especially Virginia--for more than 
a quarter century. During her time as the Northern Virginia Bureau 
Chief for ABC7 News, Channel 7, Gail has garnered the respect of law 
enforcement, lawmakers, and everyday citizens alike.
  Gail joined the ABC7 News team in 1986. She has covered many of the 
capital region's top stories, including the September 11th terror 
attacks, the Beltway sniper shootings and the Columbine High School 
massacre. Gail has reported from the Persian Gulf during Iraq War, 
conducted exclusive interviews with high-profile, nationally known 
cases, such as Zacarias Moussaoui, and followed hundreds of high 
profile local crimes and trials including the abduction/murders of 
sisters Kristin and Katie Lisk, and Sofia Silva in the 1990s.
  Along with winning prestigious Emmy and Associated Press awards for 
her reporting, Gail has also been awarded several Edward R. Murrow 
Awards, as well as the national Quill and Badge Award from the 
International Union of Police Associations for ``consistent, effective 
reporting.''
  Gail has also been active in several civic associations and community 
organizations, including the Alzheimer's Association and the American 
Diabetes Association, where she was awarded a Distinguished Public 
Service Award. Gail's active involvement shows that she was interested 
in the entirety of her community--she did not simply just show up to 
report. Her recognition by the Northern Virginia Victims/Witness 
Coalition for the ``objective, fair and compassionate portrayal of 
crime victims'' is truly a testament to her respect for all persons, no 
matter their situation.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Gail Pennybacker upon her retirement from ABC7 News, 
Channel 7. Her ability to bring light to news reporting for countless 
individuals epitomizes the dedication and excellence that makes news 
reporting a reliable source of information for so many. Gail's familiar 
face will be missed by many, but we wish her only the best as she 
begins the next phase of her life.

                          ____________________