[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF ELAINE McCONNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2016

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
life of my friend, Elaine McConnell. Elaine led a life of public 
service and dedicated her career to serving others in our community. 
Elaine is a Jacksonville, Florida native, but first moved to Fairfax 
County in 1961. Shortly thereafter, she took an interest in public 
service and safety. Elaine served as Springfield District Supervisor 
for 24 years and championed the construction of the world class 
McConnell Public Safety Transportation and Operations Center. She was a 
staunch advocate of transportation initiatives and went on to serve as 
the Chair of the Northern Virginia Transportation Board. Many know her 
as the ``mother'' of the Virginia Railway Express because of her 
leadership as a founding board member. VRE serves an average of 20,000 
riders per day and may not exist without Elaine's lifelong dedication 
to transportation infrastructure in the region. Most recently, Elaine 
served on the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board as an 
appointee of Governor McDonnell.
   Beyond her involvement in transportation initiatives, Elaine was the 
founder and CEO of Accotink Academy, an education center which serves 
children with learning disabilities throughout the region. She gained 
national acclaim for her study and work of handwriting and math 
disorders. The school has grown to 400 students and also opened a 
second location in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Outside of her volunteer 
work, she was an avid piano player and cook. Elaine will be greatly 
missed by her husband, Mac, and their three children, Susan, Mark, and 
Matthew, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. I am honored 
to recognize Elaine today for her outstanding display of commitment to 
our community. She was a true public servant and will be missed by all 
who had the privilege of knowing her.

                          ____________________