[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


RECOGNIZING THE 23RD ANNIVERSARY OF LITERACY VOLUNTEERS--PRINCE WILLIAM

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 23rd 
Anniversary of Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William.
   Founded in 1991 by local librarian Dona Swanson to help teach a 
library patron to read, Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William 
has maintained its direct service approach, by providing individualized 
adult literacy tutoring based on the personal needs and goals of adult 
learners. LVA-PW understands that literacy is a critical skill which 
can open the doors to educational and employment opportunities. As a 
literature major in college, I cannot agree more.
   LVA-PW's programs are well-researched and constantly tracked and 
evaluated by staff to ensure their effectiveness. This has proven to be 
a highly successful model: in 2014, LVA-PW served 667 adult learners 
who received a total of 14,000 hours of instruction from 212 trained 
volunteer tutors. Many of these participants learned to read and write 
thereby enabling them to become full participants in our communities 
and, in many cases, to earn their GEDs and achieve employment.
   Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William has established 
itself as an institution in the community, fostering local partnerships 
to strengthen both their own services and those of other community 
groups, including the Prince William County Library System, the 
Virginia Employment Center, Northern Virginia Community College, the 
Prince William County Adult Education Program, and local businesses 
through workplace literacy programs. LVA-PW has been recognized as 
Community Service Organization of the Year by the Prince William 
Regional Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Organization of the Quarter by 
Prince William County, and Friday's Hero by the local Channel 9 News. 
Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William is a model to be 
emulated.
   Each year the Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William 
recognizes individuals for their commitment as students, tutors, or 
volunteers. I am pleased to enter the following names of the 2014 
honorees into the Congressional Record:
   Students of the Year--Rut Amdemskal and Iftikhar Haq
   Tutors of the Year--Davine Irving and Linda Mazzucchi
   Volunteer of the Year--Ernestine Jenkins
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating 
Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William on the occasion of its 
23rd Anniversary and in thanking the volunteers, sponsors, staff, and 
community partners for their efforts in support of this worthwhile 
organization. I also commend Vicki Gross for her many contributions to 
LVA-PW while serving as Executive Director.

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