[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 176 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE AWARD RECIPIENTS OF THE 2017 CENTREVILLE IMMIGRATION 
                          FORUM ANNUAL DINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Centreville 
Immigration Forum on the occasion of its 3rd Annual Dinner. The theme 
of this year's gala is ``Celebrating Our Global Community'' and will 
recognize the rich diversity of cultures in Northern Virginia.
   Northern Virginia is blessed by its diversity. In Fairfax County, 
nearly 1 in 4 residents is foreign born. More than 100 languages are 
spoken in our schools, and we are home to more minority-owned 
technology firms than anywhere else in the nation. Our variety of 
cultures and heritages do not divide us; they make us stronger.
   Three exceptional individuals will be honored during this gala who 
have gone above and beyond in ensuring that everyone, regardless of 
their country of origin, has full access to the benefits and 
opportunities this community and our nation provide. I am pleased to 
include in the Record the names of the following 2017 Annual Dinner 
honorees:
   Ms. Diana Katz
   Ms. Katz is a co-founder of the Giving Circle of Hope which provides 
grants to area non-profits with budgets below $2 million. She also co-
founded NoVIE, a member driven, CEO-level forum that brings together 
ideas, knowledge and support to benefit the health and viability of 
social good organizations. She was the driving force behind the NV 
Rides program that provides transportation for the elderly, and has 
recently co-founded the Latino Engagement and Achievement Fund under 
the umbrella of the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia. The 
Latino Engagement and Achievement Fund will be awarding its first grant 
this year.
   Mr. Mukit Hossain (posthumously)
   Mr. Hossain was a telecommunications executive in northern Virginia 
who became a grass-roots activist following the September 11 terrorist 
attacks. He was instrumental in encouraging fellow Muslims to become 
more politically engaged through his role as president of the Virginia 
Muslim Political Action Committee. In 2006, he joined with Jewish 
leaders to push successfully for a Virginia state law that made it 
illegal to falsely label kosher and halal foods. He started Food 
Source, an organization to feed the homeless in Fairfax, and used his 
organizing skills on behalf of undocumented workers--particularly as 
immigration became a defining political issue in Prince William and 
Loudoun counties. Prior to his sudden death in 2010 he was named 
Herndon Citizen of the Year in and recognized for his community efforts 
in a joint resolution from the Virginia General Assembly.
   Mr. Kofi Dennis
   A Master Teaching Artist with Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning 
through Arts since 1998, Mr. Dennis has shared his skills in drumming 
and story-telling with children and adults of all ages. He provides 
Arts Integrated classroom residencies and professional development 
workshops in music and creative drama for early childhood educators 
locally, nationally and internationally. He has also brought drumming 
and storytelling to juveniles and prisoners in area jails. This past 
summer, he was part of a team of Wolf Trap master teaching artists and 
administrators who spent three weeks in Singapore. In collaboration 
with the National Arts Council and Early Childhood Development Agency 
(ECDA), this team led programs to train, facilitate workshops, and 
conduct STEM residencies in arts integration for teachers, 
administrators and artists.
   Mr. Speaker, the efforts of these individuals are noteworthy not 
only because they are rooted in an appreciation for our region's 
cultural and ethnic diversity, but also because they help to strengthen 
the bonds of friendship and cooperation in our community. I 
congratulate them on their awards and ask my colleagues to join me in 
commending them for their service to the Northern Virginia region.

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