[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 169 (Thursday, October 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE VILLAGE WEST POOL 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Village West Pool 
on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. This historic milestone is a 
testament to the strength of community spirit in Fairfax County and 
throughout Northern Virginia.
  The neighborhood of West Springfield was developed in 1966 by the 
Richmarr Construction Company. Richmarr generously donated land on 
which to build a community pool however, financing the construction of 
the pool itself was left to the community. Determined to take advantage 
of the opportunity to improve their neighborhood, the citizens of West 
Springfield came together to raise the necessary funds and one year 
later, on July 4, 1967, the Village West Pool opened.
  Since that time, generations of residents have enjoyed facility. 
Three levels of swimming programs are offered including the Vikings for 
swimmers aged 4 to 18. This is a competitive swim team and is part of 
the Northern Virginia Swim League, the largest summer swim league in 
the nation. The Little Vikings is the developmental team and also swims 
in certain meets, including the Lollipop Meet. There is also a Learn to 
Swim program for very young swimmers who are not yet comfortable in the 
water. To encourage community spirit and camaraderie, The Pavilion is 
available to rent for local parties and gatherings. In addition, pool 
membership fees are discounted to all who agree to volunteer during the 
pool season.
  Mr. Speaker, the health of a community can be judged through its 
level of civic engagement. The creation of the Village West Pool and 
its innovative programs are a testament to the level of civic 
engagement that is present in West Springfield and in fact, throughout 
Fairfax County. A group of citizens decided that they wanted to do 
something to make their community better and they set about doing just 
that. This willingness to work together to achieve a common goal speaks 
volumes on the health of our communities. Fairfax County remains one of 
the best places in the country in which to live, work and raise a 
family due to the efforts of individuals like the ones that came 
together to create the Village West Pool and the current residents and 
members who are committed to maintaining and preserving this 
neighborhood asset. I commend the Pool's Board and the entire West 
Springfield Civic Association for reaching this historic milestone and 
ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them great success in their 
future endeavors.

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