[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 77 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E794-E795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE FIRST ANNUAL GREATER SPRINGFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 
                      ``ABOVE AND BEYOND'' AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding group 
of first responders and public safety officers who have been honored 
with the First Annual Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce ``Above 
and Beyond'' Award.
   These awards honor Fairfax County Firefighters, EMTs, Police 
Officers and Sheriff's Deputies who give back to the Greater 
Springfield area by providing service to the community outside their 
normal duties.
   In addition to the immeasurable contributions made every day in the 
line of duty, these men and women have distinguished themselves through 
their extraordinary efforts in the community, which largely go unseen. 
They willingly volunteer their personal time, energies, and support to 
activities for the betterment of our children, our neighborhoods, and 
our quality of life.
   It is my honor to enter the names of the following individuals into 
the Congressional Record:
   Captain II Fred Brandell, who is assigned to Company 5 at the 
Franconia Fire Station, has led his crew to become one the nation's top 
fundraising fire stations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and 
also in serving at the Central Virginia Burn Camp, where young people 
who have suffered a traumatic burn can have fun like every other kid.
   Detective Monica Meeks of the Fairfax County Police Department's 
Franconia Station is passionate about victims' rights and the 
prevention of domestic violence. She lectures at

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community events and organizes seminars at schools. She works closely 
with area abuse shelters whether she is on or off duty. During the 
holidays she arranges for truckloads of toys, supplies, and gift cards 
to be donated and transported to children's shelters throughout the 
county.
   Private First Class Omecihuatl Mann serves in the Fairfax County 
Sheriff's Office's Records/Transportation Section. She also devotes 
hundreds of hours to the Fairfax County Public Library system as a 
weekly library volunteer and board member of the Friends of the 
Library. She has collected and distributed more than 10,000 books in 
the past four years. Beneficiaries include the Fairfax County Adult 
Detention Center and NOVACO, which provides transitional housing and 
services for mothers and children, who have fled situations of domestic 
abuse.
   Private First Class James L. Thur is assigned to the Fairfax County 
Police Department's West Springfield District Station. Besides his own 
patrol officer responsibilities, he ensures his coworkers are well 
equipped and able to complete their duties. PFC Thur will drop what he 
is doing to assist with any cruiser issue, ranging from a burned out 
light bulb to a dropped transmission. In his spare time, he serves as a 
volunteer fire fighter.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating and 
thanking each of the brave men and women who go above and beyond the 
call of duty to serve our community. They are part of The Bravest and 
The Finest who collectively ensure that Fairfax County remains one of 
the nation's safest communities in which to live, work, and raise a 
family. Moreover, the volunteer service exhibited by these honorees is 
one of the hallmarks of what has made Fairfax the thriving community it 
is today, and because of their efforts, that tradition will carry on 
for future generations.

                          ____________________