[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E523-E524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARC OF LOUDOUN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2018

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Arc of 
Loudoun, on its 50th anniversary of making immeasurable contributions 
throughout Virginia's 10th Congressional District.
  Since its creation in 1967, this foundation has advanced Rachel 
Paxton's dream to use her historic Leesburg property to support the 
``needy children'' of Loudoun County, delivering care and services for 
people from infancy to adulthood, with differing abilities. The Arc of 
Loudoun has reshaped the quality of life for citizens, enabling 
thousands of people to live with greater independence and dignity by 
implementing one vision, to help members to live ``a life like yours.''
  The Arc of Loudoun serves 3,125 people, with over 4,000 instances of 
services through their five programs on Paxton Campus. They provide an 
integrated and innovative environment in their services, all devoted to 
their mission to maximizing the potential of children

[[Page E524]]

while supporting families and individuals with disabilities so that 
they may thrive in Loudoun.
  These programs include the Aurora School. Founded in 2003, the School 
is a private day school for students with special needs and behavior 
challenges. Founded in 2010, the Open Door Learning Center is an 
inclusive preschool for children with and without disabilities. The 
Center provides daily care with onsite behavioral and music therapy 
provisions for young children, many with developmental disabilities.
  The ALLY ``A Life Like Yours'' Advocacy Center vvas founded in 2011 
and serves as a community resource for information, advocacy and 
support for children with special needs, their families, caregivers, 
and the professionals who work with them. Founded in September 2017, 
the Ability Fitness Center is a therapeutic fitness and wellness center 
for individuals with neurological disorders including stroke, brain 
injury, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy, and developmental 
disabilities. This past January, the Arc of Loudoun launched the 
Advantage Behavior Clinic. The clinic provides individualized behavior 
and verbal therapy, speech therapy, and social skills development for 
children with autism and other related disabilities.
  I am thankful for the leadership of the Arc of Loudoun management 
team: Melissa Heifetz, Denise Daffron, YaTonya Abdullah, Eileen 
Shaffer, Megan Allman, Kendra McDonald, Amy Metaxa, Helen Parker, Matt 
Smith, Morgan Payne, and the entire staff, volunteers, and supporters.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Arc 
of Loudoun on its 50th anniversary. May the Arc of Loudoun continue to 
assist in the cultivation of a better life for many years to come.

                          ____________________