[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 24, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 275TH ANNIVERSARY OF FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a momentous 
anniversary. This year marks the 275th anniversary of Fairfax County, 
which I am proud to represent in this chamber and which I represented 
prior to my election to this body for 14 years on the Fairfax County 
Board of Supervisors, including five years as Chairman.
  In 1737, Lord Thomas Fairfax of Cameron took possession of a piece of 
land that included all of what is now Loudoun, Arlington and Fairfax 
Counties in addition to the cities of Falls Church, Fairfax and 
Alexandria. At the time, all of this land was part of Prince William 
County. Installing his cousin William as the managing agent for that 
land, Lord Fairfax departed back to England to cement his claim. In 
1742, William arranged for that piece of land to be officially 
designated as Fairfax County.
  This new county was home to many Americans who would have an impact 
on our country, most notably future President George Washington. In 
addition, Fairfax was home to the man who many credit with the creation 
of the Bill of Rights, George Mason. Working with a member of 
Virginia's congressional district (and future President himself) James 
Madison, Mason argued for the creation of amendments to the newly-
created U.S. Constitution to protect individual freedoms. Indeed, Mason 
was one of only three delegates to the Constitutional Convention to 
refuse to sign the new document because of his concerns that the 
federal government would be abusive of its authority absent a document 
like the Bill of Rights.
  Fairfax County also played a role in another pivotal time on our 
Nation's history, the Civil War. The courthouse in Fairfax City served 
as a headquarters for the U.S. Army and the remains of several forts 
can still be found throughout the county today. The founder of the Red 
Cross, Clara Barton, treated wounded soldiers at St. Mary's Church in 
Fairfax Station, an experience that would eventually lead her to found 
that organization. While the County was largely spared from major 
battles (with the exception of the Battle of Ox Hill in 1862), raids 
and skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces were frequent and 
portions of the County changed hands several times over the course of 
the war.
  Mr. Speaker, the history of Fairfax County is intimately intertwined 
with the history of the United States. Although the founders of this 
County could not have known the future that awaited their holdings, I 
suspect the evolution from a rural farming community to today's 
suburban community of over 1 million would please them greatly. Fairfax 
County has consistently been rated among the best places in the country 
in which to live, work, raise a family and start a business. Indeed, it 
stands as an example of a community that consistently sees beyond the 
years. I was proud to serve it on the Board of Supervisors and have 
been proud to represent it in this body. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in congratulating Fairfax County on this important anniversary.

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