[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 135 (Friday, September 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1328-E1329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MICHAEL R. FREY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS SULLY 
                          DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 18, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and commend my former 
colleague Michael R. Frey on the occasion of his retirement after a 
distinguished 38-year career in public service, culminating in his six 
terms representing the residents of the Sully District on the Fairfax 
County, Va., Board of Supervisors.
  Michael has represented the Sully District in western Fairfax since 
it was created following the 1990 census. Prior to seeking elected 
office, he served 14 years as a staff member to former Springfield 
District Supervisor and Chairman Jack Herrity and former Springfield 
District Supervisor Elaine McConnell. The Sully District was carved 
largely out of the Springfield District, so Michael was intimately 
familiar with the community. I had the great pleasure of serving with 
him during my 14 years on the Board, first representing the Providence 
District and then as Chairman.
  Fairfax County is the largest local jurisdiction in the Commonwealth 
of Virginia and the National Capital Region, and Michael had a front-
row seat for much of that growth, particularly in the western part of 
the county, where the once sleepy rural community has become the 
largest magisterial district in the County. As a testament to his skill 
in working with those growing communities and managing the growth in 
Sully, Michael has chaired the Board's Development Process Committee 
since 1992.
  In a career spanning four decades, Michael's accomplishments are 
many, but let me cite just a few to convey the magnitude of the imprint 
he will leave on the community and our county. Michael and I both share 
a passion for history, and the Sully District is a historically-rich 
community. It is home to several landmarks, including the Centreville 
Historic District and Park, which Michael helped to initiate and 
expand. The park contains remnants of one of the first fortifications 
constructed by the Confederate Army during the Civil War and was 
actually occupied by both sides during the conflict. He was 
instrumental in preserving historic Mount Gilead and the Sears House as 
well.
  Michael was active in the effort to launch Centreville Days, an 
annual community festival that attracts families from throughout the 
region. He championed the expansion of public facilities into western 
Fairfax, from new schools and libraries to parks and recreation centers 
to meet the explosive growth and demand from new residents. Of course, 
he was intimately involved in the project to construct the Sully 
District Police Station, in which his office is now located. I know I 
and the community will never forget the leadership and compassion 
Michael displayed following the May 8, 2006, tragic shooting outside 
the station in which two officers were killed.
  For those who don't know him, Michael has been a lifelong sports fan. 
He has coached youth baseball and basketball for multiple community 
sports leagues, and we worked together during my tenure on the board to 
convert playing fields to synthetic turf in Fairfax to expand such 
opportunities for our youth. Michael was active in the bid to lure a 
Major League Baseball team to Northern Virginia. He served on, and at 
one time chaired, the Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority. As we all 
know, the team ultimately relocated into Washington, D.C., but the 
efforts of Michael and the Authority were instrumental in baseball's 
return to the National Capital Region.
  Of course, I cannot mention Michael without bringing up his steady 
canine companions. Since I've known him, Michael has owned a series of 
German shepherd rescue dogs--first Mosby, then Marley, and now Boomer--
that have been a fixture by his side at community events and in his 
office. They made frequent appearances at Board meetings and retreats. 
Our love of animals is another shared bond, and I was pleased to work 
with Michael on various efforts to support the Fairfax County Animal 
Shelter and the construction of its new headquarters.
  During his tenure on the Board of Supervisors, Michael has 
represented Fairfax on a number of regional organizations, including 
the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's Transportation 
Planning Board and the Environmental Quality Advisory Committee. He has 
served on the Inova Health Care Services Board. In addition, Michael 
has represented Fairfax as part of regional or statewide delegations 
traveling overseas.
  In fact, I had the pleasure of traveling with Michael to Israel as 
part of a trip hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council, in 
which we visited the Dead Sea. Wanting to have the full experience, we 
thought we'd partake in a mud bath, which we were assured held healing 
powers. Well, there's a very unfortunate picture of the two of us that 
will never see the light of day under a ``mutual self-destruction 
pact'' we've made and continue to honor, and I will remind Michael that 
our agreement endures past his life in elected office.
  Mr. Speaker, Michael Frey's commitment to our community and the 
mission of local government is unparalleled. He leaves behind a legacy 
that will enrich our community for generations to come. His career in 
public service is truly commendable and deserving of our heartfelt 
gratitude. When I was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Michael 
often heard me joke at retirement announcements that we

[[Page E1329]]

should not allow retirement for such talented and dedicated public 
servants. I know the residents of the Sully District certainly wish 
that was the case here. I join the community in wishing Michael the 
best of luck in his retirement, and Task my colleagues in the House to 
join me in expressing our appreciation for his commitment and service 
to not just the Sully District but all of Fairfax County.

                          ____________________