[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E249-E250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOUDOUN COUNTY 
                   CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 100th anniversary of 
the Loudoun County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Established in 
1917, this chapter, comprised of staff, local organizations, and 
volunteers, has worked tirelessly to protect our Loudoun community. The 
success of the American Red Cross can be largely attributed to its 
network of local branches and chapters, like that of Loudoun County. 
For years, these local branches have established strong partnerships 
and garnered large groups of volunteers that allow for the broader 
organization to prosper on both a national and international level.
  According to the chapter's Executive Director, Erwin Stierle, the 
five fundamental lines of service the American Red Cross aims to 
provide in Loudoun include disaster services, service to the armed 
forces, preparedness and safety, blood services, and international 
services. Additionally from a local community perspective, there are a 
growing number of Red Cross clubs across Loudoun County's high schools, 
and they have established several different local initiatives, 
including the Home Fire Campaign, in which smoke alarms and fire safety 
preparedness information are installed and provided in homes. Under the 
leadership of Erwin Stierle and his staff, the local chapter has seen 
enormous growth in community engagement and a surge in volunteers.

[[Page E250]]

  To speak to some of the recent work of the Loudoun Chapter, in the 
past year they collected 2,000 units of blood, which is enough to save 
6,000 people, and they trained 2,600 people in life saving skills such 
as CPR and first aid. Most recently in response to a fire in Ashburn, 
Virginia in which families lost their apartments, the Loudoun County 
Chapter of the American Red Cross gave these families gift cards for 
food and hotels, helped replace their clothes, and more. First 
responders play a key role in aiding in emergency situations, but it is 
groups, like the Loudoun County Chapter of the American Red Cross, that 
follow closely behind the first responders to aid members of the 
community in times of distress.
  These recent endeavors are only a small sample of the work the 
Loudoun Chapter has been able to accomplish over the past 100 years. On 
behalf of Virginia's 10th District and our great Commonwealth, I thank 
them for their hard work and dedication to our community, nation, and 
world. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in recognizing the 
100th anniversary of the Loudoun County Chapter of the American Red 
Cross.

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