[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 93 (Wednesday, June 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE MAKE A CHANGE GANG TATTOO REMOVAL 
                                PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 26, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the volunteers 
for the Make a Change Gang Tattoo Removal Program.
   The Make a Change (M.A.C.) Gang Tattoo Removal Program is a 
collaborative effort by the Prince William Area Gang Response 
Intervention Team, the Prince William County Bar Foundation, Inc. and 
the Greater Prince William Community Health Center. The program 
provides free removal of gang tattoos for young adults who would like 
to leave gang life and remove all visible remnants of that life through 
tattoo removal. The names and organizations that are mentioned below 
have provided service to the M.A.C. Program, and helped members of the 
community who seek a new start at a life free from gang affiliation.
   As former Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, I was 
proud to lead efforts to reduce gang involvement and violence. Through 
the creation of the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force, we were 
able to implement a number of initiatives including tattoo removal. 
These initiatives resulted in a significant reduction in gang activity 
in Fairfax County. Since being elected to Congress, I have continued to 
support efforts to address gang violence and joined with several of my 
colleagues to provide additional funding to the Task Force.
   It is my honor to enter into the Congressional Record the names of 
the volunteers for the Make a Change (M.A.C.) Gang Tattoo Removal 
Program: Amir Bajoghli, MD; Jane Keady, RN; Saeed Marefat, MD; Judy 
Merring, RN; Carol Shapiro, MD.
   Additionally, I would like to enter into the Congressional Record 
the names of the following organizations that have collaborated with 
the Make a Change (M.A.C.) Gang Tattoo Removal Program: Prince William 
Area Gang Response Intervention Team, Prince William County Bar 
Foundation, Greater Prince William Community Health Center, Sentara 
Northern Virginia Medical Center, Novant Health Prince William Medical 
Center.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending and 
thanking the volunteers for the Make a Change Gang Tattoo Removal 
Program. These volunteers have worked diligently to integrate former 
gang members who would genuinely like to follow a more productive and 
fulfilling path in life.

                          ____________________