[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 107 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING MARY AGEE ON HER RETIREMENT FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA 
                             FAMILY SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 10, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mary Agee of 
Fairfax, Virginia on her retirement after 43 years at Northern Virginia 
Family Service (NVFS).
  Since its founding by community volunteers in 1924, NVFS has 
addressed the growing needs of communities throughout our region. NVFS 
works to improve the lives of its clients through a variety of programs 
in five mission initiatives: housing, child and family enrichment, 
health access, emergency assistance, and workforce development.
  Ms. Agee began her career with the organization as a Family Counselor 
in 1972 and since 1988 has served as Executive Director and then Chief 
Executive Officer. Four decades of service to our community cannot be 
fairly summarized in one statement, but just a few examples illustrate 
the tremendous impact Ms. Agee's efforts have had on the lives of 
Northern Virginia families.
  When she was named Deputy Director in 1978, NVFS had 11 staff, five 
of whom were full-time, and a budget of $187,000. Today, the nonprofit 
organization has 350 employees, approximately 3,600 volunteers, an 
operating budget of $32 million and offices in Arlington, Fairfax, 
Prince William and Loudoun counties, as well as the cities of 
Alexandria, Manassas and Manassas Park. NVFS is now the largest 
private, nonprofit human service organization in Northern Virginia. 
Each year, nearly 34,000 individuals and families turn to NVFS to find 
housing and emergency services, early childhood programs, health & 
mental health services, workforce development programs, legal 
assistance, anti-hunger programs, and intervention and prevention 
programs.
  Additionally, NVFS has played a role in stabilizing families affected 
by national crises. After the tragedy of 9/11, NVFS lead the Survivors' 
Fund Project, providing direct assistance and long-term case management 
services to local victims, their families, and first responders. Ms. 
Agee considers this her proudest moment. In partnership with the Red 
Cross, NVFS led the Katrina Project for evacuees from New Orleans who 
relocated to our region. The success of this first-ever collaboration 
led the Red Cross to establish similar contracts across the nation.
  Through Ms. Agee, NVFS has earned a reputation as a leader in the 
community by supporting community partnerships, taking a leadership 
role in multi-agency service delivery for clients, and working 
collaboratively with other human services agencies on advocacy issues. 
On an individual level, Ms. Agee has served as an inspiration and 
mentor to many in the human services community. She carefully works 
with colleagues to develop their strengths and to nurture relationships 
that benefit the community and people in need, rather than any 
particular organization. I had the great pleasure of collaborating with 
Ms. Agee during my 14 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. 
Her leadership was invaluable when the County launched homeless 
prevention and affordable housing initiatives during my tenure as 
Chairman, and she, along with the entire team at NVFS, was an 
invaluable partner for the County's many human service programs to 
assist our neighbors most in need.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Mary Agee for 
a lifetime of service to our community and in congratulating her on her 
retirement. When I was Chairman of the County Board, we often joked 
when retirement announcements like this were made that we should pass 
an ordinance not allowing such talented and dedicated people to leave 
public or community service, and I certainly wish that was the case 
here. I wish Mary and her family all the best in this next chapter of 
her life.

                          ____________________