[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE FAIRFAX COUNTY FEDERATION OF CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS 
                                HONOREES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the Fairfax County 
Federation of Citizens' Associations and the honorees of its 63rd 
Annual Awards Banquet.
   The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations is a 
coalition of civic and homeowners associations from across Fairfax 
County. Each year, the Federation honors a select few individuals for 
their extraordinary contributions to our community.
   Five individuals are being recognized for their dedication and years 
of service to the residents of Fairfax County. As a former two-term 
President of the Federation, as well as the former president of my own 
civic association in Mantua, I understand that those who volunteer 
their time, energies, and talents to civic activities play a role in 
why Fairfax County is ranked as one of the best communities in the 
nation to live, work and raise a family. I am honored to recognize the 
following individuals for their service to the community:
   2012 Lifetime Achievement Award: Katherine Hanley for nearly 40 
years of tireless efforts at every level of public service ranging from 
her local homeowners association board, to Chairman of the Fairfax 
County Board of Supervisors, to Secretary of the Commonwealth of 
Virginia. Ms. Hanley's leadership has been pivotal in transforming 
Northern Virginia into a community that is envied and used as a model 
throughout the country. She has devoted herself to causes such as human 
services, homeless prevention, education, health care services, arts, 
education, and reduction of gang activity. She has also been a leader 
in the areas of transportation and the transformation of Tysons. Under 
her leadership as Chairman, Fairfax County was named ``Best Managed 
County''. Ms. Hanley was also named a ``Washingtonian of the Year'' in 
2000 by Washingtonian Magazine; and in 2002, she received the 
``Distinguished Service Award'' from the Jewish Community Relations 
Council of Greater Washington.
   2012 Fairfax County Citizen of the Year: Peter Murphy for his 30 
years of service on the Fairfax County Planning Commission, 25 of which 
he has served as Chairman. During this time Mr. Murphy has been 
responsible for overseeing enormous growth and development and 
implementation of management policies and procedures. In recognition of 
his contributions, Mr. Murphy has received numerous awards including 
the Department of the Army Commander's Award (Medal) for Public Service 
(2009); the 2007 Lawrence V. Fowler Award, the 2006 Katherine K. Hanley 
Public Service Award from Leadership Fairfax, Inc.; and the Times 
Courier Citizen of the Year Award.
   2012 Citation of Merit: Rose Chu for her decades of service in the 
areas of health care, senior citizen assistance, and issues of 
importance to the Asian community. Since 1987, Ms. Chu has served on 
the Fairfax County Health Care Advisory Board. Ms. Chu is also Vice 
Chairman and Chairman of the Community Advisory Committee for the 
Community Health Care Network which provides primary health care serves 
for 20,000 Northern Virginia residents. In addition, Ms. Chu is one of 
the founders of the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans of Virginia, 
CAPAVA, and currently serves as its Secretary.
   2012 Citation of Merit: Phyllis Payne for her fervent work as an 
advocate for our children. Ms. Payne is a co-founder of Start Later for 
Excellence in Education Proposal, SLEEP, which she represents on the 
Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition and the Partnership for a 
Healthier Fairfax. She is a founding member in the Fairfax Education 
Coalition and has served with PTA and PTSA/PTSO organizations. Ms. 
Payne was an at-large representative for the Fairfax County Public 
Schools, FCPS, School Health Advisory Committee, and a member of the 
FCPS Transportation Task Force. All children who have attended public 
school in Fairfax County have benefited from her efforts on their 
behalf.
   2012 Special Gratitude Award: Kyle Talente for his dedication and 
contributions to Fairfax County's community revitalization efforts. Mr. 
Talente served on the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, SFDC, 
Board of Directors for eight years, the final three as President. After 
stepping down in 2012, he continued to serve the SFDC on the Advisory 
Committee. Mr. Talente has also served on the Fairfax County Community 
Revitalization and Reinvestment Advisory Group and on the Hopkins House 
Academy Budget and Personnel Policy Committee.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these 
incredible individuals and in congratulating them on being honored by 
the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations. Civic 
engagement is the root of a community, and due to these individuals, 
Fairfax County residents can enjoy an excellent quality of life. The 
contributions and leadership of these honorees have been a great 
benefit to our community and truly merit our highest praise.

                          ____________________