[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 65 (Friday, May 1, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING MARION STILLSON FOR RECOGNITION AS THE RESTON CITIZEN 
               ASSOCIATION'S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FOR 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 1, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Marion Stillson of 
Reston on being recognized as the 2014 Citizen of the Year by the 
Reston Citizens Association.
   The Reston Citizens Association was founded in 1967 to promote and 
protect Reston's founding principles by serving as a non-partisan forum 
for all residents and as an advocate for the community with County and 
State governments.
   The RCA Citizen of the Year Award dates back to 1976 and honors an 
individual whose actions are consistent with the goals of Reston and 
the RCA. Recipients are recognized for contributing to the quality of 
life in Reston and for providing assistance to our neighbors in need. 
Marion and her husband Dick arrived in the Reston area in 1973. 
Marion's service to the community began in October 1980 when she was 
selected as one of the first members of the Reston Community Center's 
Board of Governors and provided valuable input on accessibility issues. 
Since then, she has been involved in a wide variety of issues important 
to Reston, the region, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation.
   Marion was elected Vice-President of RCA in 2009 and President in 
2010 and served our community in that role over two terms. During her 
tenure, RCA established the Reston Accessibility Committee, which helps 
ensure that local businesses provide access to retail, office and 
public amenity locations for those with mobility impairments, created 
the Reston 2020 Committee to analyze and advocate on land use issues, 
and implemented the Sustainable Reston Initiative to raise awareness of 
the need to address the effects on the Reston community of peak oil, 
global climate change and economic disruption.
   At the county level, Marion has been appointed to the Election 
Improvement Commission, the Wiehle Avenue Steering Committee, the 
Hunter Mill District Budget Committee and has served as an elections 
officer.
   Marion's passion for fairness and justice have been reflected in her 
distinguished professional career which has included serving as a 
lobbyist for the American Association of University Women; Staff 
Attorney National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws; Staff 
Attorney for the National Labor Relations Board; Director of the 
Criminal Justice Advocacy Project for the DC Coalition Against Domestic 
Violence; Attorney/Counselor/Mediator for the Architect of the Capitol 
Fair Employment Practices Office. In these roles, she directly 
influenced and in some instances created national policy in numerous 
areas.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating 
Marion Stillson for this award and thanking her for her committed and 
selfless service to our community.

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