[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 148 (Thursday, October 8, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S7278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 285--COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 
                        ROBERT EDWARD SIMON, JR.

  Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Warner) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 285

       Whereas in 1961, Robert Edward Simon, Jr. (referred to in 
     this preamble as ``Bob Simon'') purchased 6,750 acres of 
     undeveloped land in Northern Virginia and in 1964, 
     established on the land the town of Reston, Virginia;
       Whereas the vision of Bob Simon for economic development--
       (1) involved communities that integrate jobs, residential 
     housing, commercial business, recreational resources, outdoor 
     space, accessible transportation, and pedestrian-friendly 
     geography; and
       (2) was a vision that, in 2015, is known as ``smart 
     growth'';
       Whereas the vision of Bob Simon for a community was a 
     community that included residents of all income levels and 
     racial backgrounds at a time during which, in Virginia, 
     housing was segregated and interracial marriage was banned;
       Whereas Bob Simon is credited with mainstreaming the idea 
     of robust citizen participation in local development plans 
     through community associations;
       Whereas Bob Simon returned to live in Reston from 1993 
     until his passing on September 21, 2015, at 101 years of age; 
     and
       Whereas, as of September 2015, Reston, Virginia is a 
     62,000-citizen town in the Northern Virginia Dulles Corridor, 
     which continues to develop along the lines that Bob Simon 
     envisioned: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the contributions of 
     Robert E. Simon, Jr.--
       (1) in founding Reston, Virginia;
       (2) in setting a trend of vibrant urban development in 
     Virginia; and
       (3) in inspiring and empowering citizens across the United 
     States.

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