[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 177 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2016 ARTS COUNCIL OF FAIRFAX COUNTY 
                              ARTS AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Arts Council of 
Fairfax County and the recipients of its 2016 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. The Arts Council has awarded more than 
$540,000 in County, public, and private funds through competitive 
grants and awards. These grants have helped to fund approximately 
13,000 performances which have been attended by more than 1 million 
people.
  Each year, the Arts Council of Fairfax County honors a select group 
of individuals, companies, or organizations that have made 
extraordinary contributions to the local arts community. These annual 
awards honor supporters of the arts in four categories: the Jinx Hazel 
Arts Award, the Arts Impact Award, the Arts Philanthropy Award, and the 
Arts Education Award. It is my honor to congratulate this year's 
honorees.
  The 2016 Jinx Hazel Arts Award is being presented to Dominion 
Resource Services in recognition of its tremendous support and long-
term investment in the artistic and cultural vitality of communities in 
Fairfax County and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since 2011, 
the Dominion Foundation has provided financial support to 26 non-profit 
arts organizations in both Fairfax County and the Cities of Fairfax and 
Falls Church. In addition, Dominion and its employees contribute more 
than 100,000 volunteer hours each year to support local festivals and 
community activities.
  The 2016 Arts Impact Award is being presented to George Washington's 
Mount Vernon for its extraordinary impact on the collection and 
preservation of art, culture, and decorative artwork from the mid-18th 
century. Mount Vernon's archaeological collection includes more than 
500,000 pieces and more than 700 pieces are on display today. In 
addition, Mount Vernon sponsors and hosts extensive visitor education 
programs.
  The 2016 Arts Philanthropy Award is being presented to the Jack Kent 
Cooke Foundation. Since 2000, the Cooke Foundation has awarded more 
than $152 million in scholarships to nearly 2,200 high-performing low-
income students as well as more than $90 million in grants to 
organizations that serve these students. In addition, scholarships and 
grants are awarded to individual students as well as community music 
schools, pre-conservatories, and summer music programs to help talented 
young students achieve their artistic dreams.
  The 2016 Arts Education Award is being presented to the Fairfax 
Choral Society in recognition of their contributions in music 
education, performance, and appreciation of choral art by people of all 
ages. The FCS is the only organization in Northern Virginia that 
provides opportunities to nearly 400 choral students ranging in age 
from pre-school through adulthood. The repertoire of the FCS includes 
classical, folk, and contemporary compositions, and it has performed 
with the National Symphony Orchestra, the American Youth Philharmonic, 
as well as at Carnegie Hall and the White House.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
recipients of the 2016 Arts Awards and in recognizing and thanking the 
visionaries, leaders, and supporters who help to make our Northern 
Virginia communities rich with cultural opportunities.

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