[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 175 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 2016 LEADERSHIP PRINCE WILLIAM VISION AWARD AND KATHY 
              ELLINGTON ALUMNI LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2016

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2016 recipients of 
the Leadership Prince William Vision Award and the Kathy Ellington 
Alumni Leadership Award.
  Founded in 2007, Leadership Prince William is an independent non-
profit organization dedicated to providing an enriching environment for 
passionate community members to engage and network with the desire of 
contributing to the betterment of the Greater Prince William area. More 
than 270 community leaders have completed Leadership Prince William's 
Signature Program. Past participants of the Signature Program include a 
vast array of individuals from the public, private, and not-for-profit 
sectors. In 2014, Leadership Prince William launched Youth Leadership 
Prince William. Similar to the Signature Program for adults, Youth 
Leadership Prince William provides the next generation of leaders with 
the tools necessary to excel in education, skill development, and 
community engagement opportunities.
  The success and positive effects of Leadership Prince William are 
beyond question. Based on their talents and passions, Leadership Prince 
William participants, both past and present, are working to address the 
greatest needs of the community through skill-based initiatives. Now in 
its third year, Leadership Prince William staff members and the Board 
of Regents commend positive forces of change by presenting two awards 
to members of the community who exemplify true leadership. The 
Leadership Prince William Vision Award is presented to an individual 
who has developed strategic and innovative partnerships and exemplifies 
leadership in the Greater Prince William area and beyond. The Kathy 
Ellington Alumni Leadership Award honors an individual with noteworthy 
vision, insight, and understanding of the community's greatest needs. 
Because of their noteworthy efforts, our community is better off for 
the lasting positive imprint on the residents of the Greater Prince 
William area and beyond. It is my honor to enter the recipients of 
these awards into the Congressional Record.
  The 2016 Leadership Prince William Vision Award is bestowed upon Dr. 
Gary L. Jones, CEO of Youth for Tomorrow, for his innovative leadership 
and programs used to provide children and families with a continuum of 
services through issue-focused behavioral health and developmental 
programs. Under Dr. Jones' leadership, the scope of Youth for Tomorrow 
has grown with Prince William County. In 1996, Youth for Tomorrow 
provided assistance to eight boys in two residences and a temporary 
learning structure with an operating budget of $800,000. Today, Youth 
for Tomorrow serves more than 1,000 children annually with a 
residential capacity of 122. Boys and girls are housed in seven homes 
spread across 200 acres and learn in a state-of-the-art academic center 
that offers a comfortable learning environment and access to six on-
site behavioral health service programs.
  The 2016 Kathy Ellington Alumni Award recipient is Sharon Henry, who 
serves in dual roles as the supervisor of the Office of Community and 
Business Engagement for Prince William County Public Schools and 
Executive Director of Supporting Partnerships and Resources for Kids 
(or SPARK), the education foundation for PWCS. Ms. Henry's leadership 
has reached beyond the confines of PWCS to educate the whole child and 
ensure students have access to learning tools and materials both in and 
out of the classroom. Since assuming her role with SPARK in 2007, the 
foundation's budget has grown exponentially from $477,450 to a bustling 
$3.2 million as of 2015. Ms. Henry's innovative approach to the 
operation of the foundation has allowed it to be named one of the ``20 
Best Education Foundations in the United States.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the 
selfless efforts and leadership of Dr. Gary Jones and Sharon Henry and 
to congratulate them on being honored by Leadership Prince William for 
their immeasurable contributions to our community. Their tireless work 
on behalf of the residents of the Greater Prince William area are truly 
deserving of our highest praise.

                          ____________________