[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 185 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING JOE RITCHEY AND PROSPECTIVE, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Joe Ritchey and his 
company, Prospective, Inc. on being named one of the 2015 BCA 10: Best 
Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America honorees. Presented 
every year by Americans for the Arts' Business Committee for the Arts 
(BCA), the BCA 10 awards honor U.S. companies for their exceptional 
commitment to the arts.
   Joe Ritchey and his firm actively support a vibrant local arts scene 
in Reston and throughout Fairfax County. Mr. Ritchey helped form the 
Initiative for Public Art--Reston (IPAR), where he still serves as 
President and Chair. IPAR consists of a group of civic leaders who 
represent Reston's key community organizations and seek to inspire and 
expand the community's commitment to public art. In 2008, IPAR launched 
a process that led to the adoption of the Public Art Master Plan for 
Reston which strives to incorporate art into public spaces. Anyone 
strolling through the many parks and public squares in Reston can 
readily see the impact of the Master Plan.
   Mr. Ritchey's contributions and influence extend far beyond Reston 
and have benefited our larger Fairfax County community. A passionate 
lover of the arts, he has served on the boards of the Arts Council of 
Fairfax County (Board Chairman in 2013 and 2014), Children's Museum of 
Northern Virginia, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts 
Associates, and the Greater Reston Arts Center.
   A successful businessman, Mr. Ritchey also shares his knowledge and 
expertise with numerous other organizations. He serves or has served on 
the boards or in other leadership roles of the Reston Hospital Center 
of HCA Virginia Health System (Board Chairman in 2011 and 2012), the 
Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Virginia 
Transportation Alliance, the Dulles Corridor Rail Association, the 
Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, and he is an active supporter of 
Reston Interfaith, Nature House, and the George Mason University Center 
for Regional Analysis.
   Mr. Ritchey has received numerous awards and accolades in 
recognition of his service to our community. These awards include the 
NAOIP 1995 Award of Excellence for Economic Development, 2003 ``Best of 
Reston'' designation, the 2004 Fairfax County Federation of Citizen 
Associations Citizen of the Year, the 2006 Times Community Newspapers 
Reston Citizen of the Year, the 2009 inaugural Robert E. Simon 
Community Service Award, the 2011 Jinx Hazel Arts Citizen of the Year, 
and in 2013 he was the Grand Marshal of the Reston Holiday Parade.
   Northern Virginia is a vibrant region where countless people donate 
their time, energy, and financial support for the betterment of our 
neighbors and our community as a whole.
   In this region where so many do so much, Mr. Ritchey stands out and 
is an example of what one person can do. He has created a legacy that 
will live on for future generations to enjoy and has truly been a force 
in Reston and Northern Virginia being considered among the best places 
in the country in which to live, work, play, and raise a family.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Joe 
Ritchey and Prospective, Inc. on being honored as a BCA 10 recipient, 
and in thanking him for his unwavering and tireless efforts on behalf 
of our community.

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