[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 108 (Monday, July 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OPTIMISTS CLUB OF GREATER 
                                 VIENNA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 13, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 60th Anniversary 
of the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna and to thank its members for 
their service to our community.
   The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna was chartered by Optimist 
International on June 21, 1955. For sixty years the Optimist Club of 
Greater Vienna has served its mission, ``to bring out the best in 
kids'' and lived up to the Optimist International motto by being the 
``Friend of Youth'' in our community.
   This Club has served the youth of the Vienna community in numerous 
ways, including providing thousands of dollars in scholarships each 
year to local students through the Carol Waite Brennan Awards, the T.R. 
Cook Youth of Excellence Awards, the Communication Contest for Deaf and 
Hard of Hearing students; essay and other oratorical contests, and 
vocational scholarships.
   The Club raises tens of thousands of dollars each year in support of 
pediatric cancer patients and research through the Walk and Family Fun 
Day for Growing Hope. Recognizing that it is never too early to serve 
one's community, the Club promotes community service in elementary 
school students with the Helping Hands Awards. This emphasis on 
opportunities for youth to serve and lead continues with Octagon and 
Junior Optimist Clubs at local schools.
   The annual Charles A. Robinson Respect for Law Awards fosters 
positive relations between the community and local law enforcement. 
Annual Christmas tree sales and other fundraisers support youth 
athletic teams, as well as academic, science and arts clubs at area 
schools. Club members dedicate hundreds of hours each year volunteering 
for youth-related activities, such as Special Olympics, Alternative 
House, Ethics Day, the Vienna Community Center Halloween Party, and 
more.
   The Optimists have also contributed greatly to Vienna's community 
life by operating the Vienna Saturday Farmers Market since 2006, 
providing not only a marketplace for local, fresh, and healthy foods, 
but also a meeting place for Vienna residents.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Optimist Club of Greater Vienna on its 60th Anniversary of service to 
the Vienna community and thanking its countless volunteers and 
supporters for helping to bring out the best in our kids.

                          ____________________