[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 167 (Thursday, November 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 2013 FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 
2013 Fairfax County Park Service Awards. These awards, sponsored by the 
Fairfax County Park Authority Board in cooperation with the Fairfax 
County Park Foundation, recognize individuals and organizations for 
their extraordinary contributions to our environment and public park 
system.
  Fairfax County is regarded as one of the best places in the country 
in which to live, work, and raise a family, and our nationally-
recognized park system has played a key role in that distinction. Each 
year thousands of volunteers donate their talents and time to protect 
our natural and cultural resources and enhance educational and 
recreational services.
  The Fairfax County Park Service Awards are presented in several 
categories: the Elly Doyle Park Service Awards which were established 
in 1988 and named in honor of Ellamae Doyle in recognition of her many 
years of outstanding service as a member and chairman of the Park 
Authority Board, the Eakin Philathropy Award named in honor of the 
Eakin family who donated the first parcels of parkland to the Park 
Authority more than 50 years ago, the Mayo Stuntz Cultural Resource 
Award named in honor of the late, longtime historian, author, and 
chairman of the Sully Foundation, and the Outstanding Volunteer Awards. 
I am honored to enter into the Congressional Record the names of the 
following recipients of the 2013 Service Awards:
  Eakin Philanthropy Award Recipients:
  ExxonMobil for its generous support of the Summer Entertainment 
Series, its investment in an outdoor classroom at Huntley Meadows Park, 
and for support of the Meaningful Watershed Education Experience.
  Jon and Ruth Ruskin who, through the RZ Foundation, have made 
significant financial contributions that have supported Fairfax County 
Parks programs and initiatives including Bright Futures RecPAC 
scholarships, Arts in the Park performances, and funding for open space 
land acquisition.
  The Mayo Stuntz Cultural Stewardship Award:
  The Sully Foundation Ltd., which has contributed nearly half a 
million dollars in support of special projects at Sully Historic Site 
since 1970.
  Elly Doyle Park Service Award Recipients:
  Howard Albers for his work as a volunteer consultant to identify and 
secure new sources of funding for park programs and facilities.
  Jim Hickey for more than 17 years of volunteer service to Lake 
Accotink Park and for establishing the Friends of Lake Accotink, for 
which he serves as president.
  Sarah Kirk for her efforts as founder and president of Turner Farm 
Events to ensure that equestrian programs at The Turner Farm in Great 
Falls remain free to the public.
  Elly Doyle Special Recognition Awards:
  Casto DeBiasi, Lassine Doumbia, The Great Falls Trail Blazers, The 
Friends of Green Spring Gardens Board of Directors, Lynn Mulvey-
McFerron, and Melina Tye.
  2013 Outstanding Volunteers:
  Fran Anderson, William A. ``Bill'' Bozo, Lisi Bradshaw, Joan Carson, 
Sue Erbele, Clint Fields, Natalie Gilbert, Mostafa Kamvar, Lauren 
Kinne, Barbara Leven, Judy Nitsche, Martha Orling, Jaque Ristau, Cathy 
Ruiz, Marilyn Schroeder, Jim and Jo Anne Stapleton, John Tucker, Karen 
Waltman, and the Ziegler Family.
  2013 Student Honorees:
  Monica Banghart and Rohil Bhinge.
  Mister Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating 
and thanking these honorees for their commitment to our open spaces and 
public parks. Fairfax County is able to enjoy a high quality of life 
because of the efforts of these individuals and they are deserving of 
our praise and appreciation.

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