[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING RECIPIENTS OF THE 2014 GREATER RESTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 
                     AWARDS FOR CHAMBER EXCELLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize recipients of the 2014 
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Awards for Chamber Excellence.
   The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1982 as a 
business roundtable in the growing community of Reston, Virginia. For 
more than 30 years, the Reston Chamber has facilitated business growth 
and entrepreneurship through its programming, advocacy, and engagement 
throughout the region. The Reston Chamber currently has more than 600 
member businesses that together employ more than 10,000 people. It is 
the 6th largest chamber of commerce in the Washington, DC-metropolitan 
region and is deeply embedded in the community.
   The Reston Chamber hosts annual events such as Taste of Reston, 
Oktoberfest Reston, and Best of Reston, and it has received national 
recognition for its Ethics Day, a workshop for high school students on 
ethical decision making. Members use the INC.spire Education Foundation 
and free SCORE business coaching programs to help create and grow their 
enterprises. INC.spire has assisted more than four dozen entrepreneurs 
create 500 jobs and $45 million of business investment.
   Each year, through the Awards for Chamber Excellence, the Chamber 
recognizes member companies, individuals, and volunteers who have 
demonstrated excellence, innovation, and exceptional dedication to the 
Reston community. I am pleased to join the Greater Reston Chamber of 
Commerce in recognizing the following Awards for Chamber Excellence 
(ACE) recipients:
   Committee of the Year: Charles Kapur, EagleBank, Membership 
Committee.
   Committee of the Year: Sam Cousins, SBIS, Membership Committee.
   Small Business of the Year: Silver Spoon Catering.
   Medium Business of the Year: Business Engineering, Inc.
   Large Business of the Year: Sheraton Reston Hotel.
   Member of the Year: Lisa Nicholls, Tira! Strategies.
   New Member of the Year: Ellen Moyer, Re/Max Allegiance.
   Volunteer of the Year: Andy Klaff, Colliers.
   Joe Ritchie Pinnacle Award: Casey Veatch, Veatch Commercial Real 
Estate.
   President's Award: Tonia Chagnon, Red Thinking.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this 
year's award recipients and in thanking them for their contributions to 
the local economy and outstanding service to our community. I also 
commend the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for its role as an 
invaluable partner to local businesses, nonprofits and schools. The 
efforts of the Chamber, the member businesses, and volunteers have 
helped make Reston a truly special place to live, work, and raise a 
family.

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