[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 2014 HONOREES OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NAACP

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2014 
Honorees of the Fairfax County Branch of the National Association for 
the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The Fairfax Branch is 
recognized as the NAACP's first rural chapter. In 1915, a few brave 
African American citizens in Falls Church, Virginia, fought a proposed 
ordinance that would have segregated housing. They called themselves 
the Colored Citizens Protective League (CCPL) and the group evolved to 
become the Fairfax County Branch of the NAACP.
   Each year, the Fairfax County NAACP honors several deserving 
individuals and organizations that have shown extraordinary support of 
the Branch or the community. I am honored to submit the names of the 
following 2014 Community Service Award winners:
   Fairfax County Democratic Committee Election Law and Voter 
Protection Committee. The Election Law and Voter Protection (ELVP) 
Committee strives to make sure every vote is counted and that proposed 
legislation and procedures affecting voting rights are fair and 
appropriate. Every election, ELVP members monitor voting precincts and 
help make sure each citizen can fully and fairly exercise his or her 
right to vote, regardless of political preferences.
   Jill Turner--Program Manager, Intel Computer Clubhouse, Gum Springs 
Community Center. Ms. Turner works to change the mindset of young 
people who come from economically disadvantaged families. She teaches 
creative writing, computer skills, etiquette, poetry writing, and has 
formed a book club. Through her leadership, some teens have become 
leaders and have formed additional clubs, specializing in their own 
interests. Ms. Turner recently established a mentoring program. 
Participants discuss issues such as domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, 
homelessness, drugs, and other issues facing our youth.
   Danielle Blunt--Girls Inspired and Ready to Lead, Inc. (GIRL). 
Founded by Ms. Blunt in 2010, GIRL is a nonprofit organization 
dedicated to mentoring and empowering today's girls for future success 
through academic excellence, leadership skills, community service, a 
healthy lifestyle, and self-esteem. In 2014, Ms. Blunt partnered with 
George Mason University's College of Science STEM Accelerator Program 
to create a STEM summer camp for middle school girls of color and one 
for elementary school boys and girls. It also gives me great pleasure 
to recognize the following recipients of this year's President's 
Awards: Supervisor John Cook, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors 
(Braddock District); Captain Everett A. Lewis, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), 
Executive Committee, Alexandria NAACP; Colonel Ed Roessler, Chief, 
Fairfax County Police Department.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
2014 honorees of the Fairfax County NAACP and thanking them for their 
tremendous contributions to our youth and our community.

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