[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 179 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE ARTS COUNCIL OF FAIRFAX COUNTY AND THE RECIPIENTS OF 
                          THE 2015 ARTS AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 10, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Arts Council of 
Fairfax County and the recipients of its 2015 Arts Awards. These awards 
recognize the extraordinary contributions of artists and arts 
organizations, as well as individuals and businesses in Fairfax County, 
the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church, that support the 
arts in our community.
   Founded in 1964, the Arts Council of Fairfax County is a non-profit 
organization designated as Fairfax County's local arts agency. The Arts 
Council operates programs and initiatives that include grants, arts 
advocacy, education, and professional development opportunities for 
artists and arts organizations. In fiscal year 14, the Arts Council 
awarded more than $500,000 in County, public, and private funds through 
competitive grants and awards to arts organizations and individual 
artists. These grants helped to fund approximately 13,000 performances, 
which were attended by more than 1 million people. I also would like to 
express my appreciation to the Arts Council for its steadfast support 
of the 11th District Congressional Arts Competition, which has helped 
make it one of the largest and most successful in the country.
   The annual Arts Awards honor supporters of the arts in four 
categories: the Jinx Hazel Arts Award, the Arts Achievement Award, the 
Emerging Arts Award, and the Arts Philanthropy Award. It is my honor to 
submit the following names of the 2015 Arts Awards Recipients:
   The 2015 Jinx Hazel Arts Award will be presented to Earle C. 
Williams, the former president and chief executive officer of BDM 
International, for his outstanding leadership and advocacy in the arts 
and in the Campaign for Wolf Trap.
   The 2015 Arts Achievement Award will be presented to Rebecca Kamen, 
a contemporary visual artist, sculptor, and a pioneer of the STEAM 
effort to integrate Arts in the traditional Science, Technology, 
Engineering, and Math, or STEM fields, for her outstanding achievements 
bridging the arts and education with chemistry, neuroscience, and 
astrophysics.
   The 2015 Emerging Arts Award will be presented to the Vienna Jammers 
for providing exemplary outreach to area youth and participating in 
community building activities in the Town of Vienna and the Washington, 
D.C. area.
   The 2015 Arts Philanthropy Award will be presented to Richard 
Hausler, co-founder and CEO of Insight Property Group, for his vision, 
commitment, and leadership in establishing a new arts facility, the 
Workhouse Arts Center, in southern Fairfax County.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
recipients of the 2015 Arts Awards and in recognizing and thanking the 
visionaries, leaders, and supporters who help to make our Northern 
Virginia communities rich with cultural opportunities.

                          ____________________