[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 8, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1454-E1455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TO CONGRATULATE BARBARA LIPPA ON HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 8, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Barbara 
Lippa on her retirement as Executive Director of the Fairfax County 
Planning Commission and to thank her for 35 years of service to the 
community.
   Ms. Lippa began her career with the Planning Commission in 1978 as a 
Planning Aide. In 1979, she was promoted to Deputy Director and was 
promoted to Executive Director in 1999. In December 1999, Ms. Lippa 
earned designation as a Virginia Certified Planning Commissioner.
   During her 35 year tenure with the Planning Commission, Ms. Lippa 
witnessed an explosion of growth. In 1978, the County population was 
less than 579,000. There were approximately 192,776 residential housing 
units, nearly 60% of which were single family detached homes. Ethnic 
diversity was virtually non-existent; 91.6% of the residents were 
white, 5.4% were African-American, and all other minorities combined 
comprised only 3% of the population. The median household income was 
$15,707, and 62% of housing was owner occupied with the median home 
value of $35,400. And while Metrorail operated in Washington, D.C., and 
a few close in suburbs, it would be nearly another decade before Metro 
would be an option to Fairfax County residents.
   By the end of 2012, the population of Fairfax County had nearly 
doubled to more than 1.1 million residents. There are more than 408,000 
residential housing units and the percentage of single family detached 
homes has decreased to approximately 47%. Fairfax County is now an 
ethnic tapestry; nearly 40% of its residents are minorities with Asian/
Pacific Islanders comprising the largest single ethnic group. The 2012 
median household income was $105,797 and the median home value was 
nearly $431,000. Metro is a daily part of life, and the Silver Line 
through Tysons and the Dulles Corridor will extend this service through 
Fairfax and into Loudoun County.
   In 1978 there were fewer than 159,000 jobs in Fairfax County, today 
there are nearly 600,000. With 10 Fortune 500 Companies headquartered 
here, Fairfax County is home to more Fortune 500 companies than 33 
states and is tied with 3 others; this exponential job growth has 
fueled the need for additional facilities, infrastructure, development, 
and services.
   Ms. Lippa has excelled in leading Fairfax County's planning efforts 
during 35 years in an ever-changing climate. Her management and 
guidance has contributed greatly to the evolution of Fairfax County 
from a suburban enclave to a 21st century metropolis. In 2010, she was 
honored with a Team Excellence Award for her work with the Commission's

[[Page E1455]]

Tysons Committee and in October 2012, Ms. Lippa received the Marge 
Bleiweis Peace Builder Award. In addition, under her leadership, the 
Fairfax County Planning Commission was recognized with the American 
Planning Association's 2011 Daniel Burnham Award for its work on the 
Tysons Plan.
   Despite the demands of serving on the Planning Commission, Ms. Lippa 
still found the time to remain involved and active in the community. 
For 28 years, she has been a member of Zonta International, holding 
numerous leadership positions and in 2012 was named as the Zonta Club 
of Fairfax 2011 Volunteer of the Year and honored by the Inter-Service 
Club Council of the City of Fairfax. From 1994 to 2008, Ms. Lippa 
continued her work to improve educational opportunities while serving 
as a member of the Northern Virginia Community College Business 
Advisory Curriculum Committee.
   For generations to come, the benefits of Ms. Lippa's dedication, 
expertise, and commitment will be felt by millions of residents and 
will pave the way for the continued prosperity of the entire region. On 
behalf of the residents, businesses, and visitors to Fairfax County, I 
thank and commend her for a job exceedingly well done.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. 
Lippa on her retirement and thanking her for 35 years of service to 
Fairfax County and our community.

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