[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 176 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1454-E1455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 2017 LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA-PRINCE WILLIAM 
                            AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Literacy 
Volunteers of America-Prince William, Incorporated, and their 26 years 
of service to the adult learners residing in the Greater Prince William 
Area.
  Founded in June 1991, by beloved librarian Dona M. Swanson, Literacy 
Volunteers of America-Prince William, Inc. is one of 1200 501(c)(3) 
non-profit organizations affiliated with ProLiteracy America, a 
nationwide organization dedicated to empowering, educating, and 
connecting adults through the establishment of a safer, stronger, and 
sustainable society.
  Since its inception, Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William, 
Inc. has served over 8500 adults and positively impacted the social and 
economic wellbeing of 35,000 family

[[Page E1455]]

members. Last year, the organization served over 700 adult learners 
with the assistance of more than 220 trained volunteer tutors. 
Community volunteers are trained to become tutors and are matched based 
on the needs of adults seeking to improve their literacy or English 
language skills. Provided services include small and large classroom 
tutoring, one-on-one tutoring, pre-GED and GED classes, basic literacy 
for English speakers and English as a second language learners, 
conversation classes, Naturalization test preparation, and job 
readiness training.
  Each year, the dedicated staff reviews the progress of each student 
and asks tutors and students to provide feedback. This year, 93 percent 
of students have met a personal development goal. Feedback generally 
aligns with the organization's mission statement to teach adults the 
life-changing skills of reading, writing and speaking English that will 
enable them to confidently participate and prosper in society. I have 
the distinct pleasure of including in the Record the 2017 Literacy 
Volunteers of America-Prince William, Inc. honorees:
  Student of the Year: Noris Quintanilla
  Born and raised in El Salvador, Noris has lived in the United States 
of America for the past 17 years and is a U.S. citizen. In 2012, Noris 
obtained her GED certificate and sought the assistance of Literacy 
Volunteers of America-Prince William to further her education and 
transition into a career in office administration. Today, Noris 
volunteers at Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William, Inc. where 
she never misses the opportunity to learn something new. Her commitment 
to instruction and volunteerism has helped Noris hone her language 
skills, build her confidence, and inspire her peers.
  Tutor of the Year: Amy Feinberg
  Amy has volunteered with Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince 
William, Inc. for the past six years where she has tutored in both 
classroom and individual settings. Over the past year, Amy has taught 
more than 100 students and provided more than 250 volunteer hours to 
the program. Amy inspires students with her kindness, patience, and 
compassion. As an active community volunteer, Amy takes great pride in 
helping others to succeed and her role in building a stronger, more 
vibrant community.
  Tutor of the Year: Alison Prevost
  Alison has served as a volunteer with Literacy Volunteers of America-
Prince William, Inc. for the past 4 years. She has provided classroom 
tutoring to more than 100 students and has donated over 300 volunteer 
hours to adult literacy over the past year. Alison takes great pride in 
helping adults improve their literacy skills and become self-sufficient 
and active members of the community through Literacy Volunteers of 
America-Prince William, Inc. and other community-based organizations.
  Volunteer of the Year: Patti J. Beattie
  For the past 15 years, Patti has shared her time and service with 
Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William, Inc. and its adult 
learners through multiple capacities as a volunteer tutor, dedicated 
member of the Board of Directors, tutor trainer, employee, and literacy 
advocate. In honor of her tireless efforts to our community, the 
Volunteer of the Year Award has been renamed in her honor. Patti is an 
active community volunteer, serving in multiple service organizations 
donating hundreds of hours each year to serve our local community. It 
is my honor to recognize Patti as the inaugural recipient of the Patti 
J. Beattie Volunteer of the Year Award recipient.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the 2017 
Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William, Incorporated honorees 
and in thanking all students, tutors, volunteers, Board of Directors, 
and staff for their dedication, generosity, and commitment to adult 
literacy and its lasting impact on the Greater Prince William Area.

                          ____________________