[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 65 (Friday, May 1, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LORTON COMMUNITY ACTION 
      CENTER AND IN HONOR OF FOUNDER'S AWARD RECIPIENT MOLLY LYNCH

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 1, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 40th Anniversary 
of the Lorton Community Action Center and join the Center in honoring 
this year's Founder's Award recipient, Molly Lynch.
  Since 1975, Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) has served the 
residents of Fort Belvoir, Lorton, Newington, and other portions of 
southeast Fairfax County by providing access to basic needs and the 
opportunity to empower themselves through self-sufficiency programs.
  LCAC began as an all-volunteer organization, working out of a local 
school and a church basement. The organization was founded in response 
to the needs of low-income families in southeast Fairfax, which was an 
under-served area. For LCAC's first 15 years, the agency served as a 
resource for information and collected and distributed food for 
individuals and families. Today, LCAC has a professional staff of five 
full-time and five part-time employees, who serve a diverse population 
of ages and ethnic backgrounds.
  LCAC aims to break the cycle of poverty and prevent homelessness 
through a variety of services and programs. LCAC's food program 
distributes between eight and ten tons of food every month. Clients who 
need clothing can shop at Lorton's Attic, LCAC's thrift store. Small 
grants assist families with utilities, rent, mortgage, medical 
services, and other essential needs.
  When LCAC cannot help directly, it works closely with other agencies 
and organizations in our area that may be able to provide assistance. 
Perhaps most important, LCAC helps people achieve self-sufficiency 
through case management, ESL classes, nutrition classes, pro bono legal 
services, and tutoring. All this would not have been possible without 
the dedication of time, talent, and resources by the thousands of 
community volunteers and supporters.
  Molly Lynch served on LCAC's Board from 1981-82 and again from 1991-
2003. Mrs. Lynch was a part of the all-volunteer organization that 
operated out of a small building on Gunston Elementary School property 
in her early board service, providing a variety of much needed services 
to families in the Lorton community. When Molly rejoined the board in 
1991 she helped LCAC pursue new funding opportunities through 
participation in the Combined Federal Campaign, United Way giving, and 
Fairfax County Community Funding Pool grants. In 2011, a generous gift 
from Molly and her husband, Bill, allowed LCAC to open a 2,000 square-
foot pantry that doubled LCAC's space and consolidated food operations 
from five locations to one.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the staff, 
volunteers, supporters, and partners of LCAC for 40 years of assistance 
to the Lorton community's most vulnerable residents and in thanking 
Molly Lynch for her dedication to helping our neighbors in need.

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