[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





       HONORING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MRS. CLARENE HELEN VICKERY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 21, 2018

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my constituent, Mrs. 
Clarene Helen Vickery and to congratulate her on an incredible 
milestone. On May 22, Mrs. Vickery will celebrate her 100th birthday. 
It is my honor to include this extraordinary woman and citizen of 
Fairfax County into the Record.
  Born Clarene Helen Dickens in Collins, Mississippi, Mrs. Vickery 
began her service to her community at an early age, working for the 
National Youth Administration during the Great Depression. That service 
continued when she relocated to Virginia, where she founded the 
Parkwood School and has served as its Director from 1956 to the present 
time. Since its founding, more than 10,000 students have attended 
Parkwood School. Mrs. Vickery has been recognized with a lifetime 
achievement award from the Virginia Association for Early Childhood 
Education and a Certificate of Recognition from the Fairfax County 
Health Department for her more than six-decade support of the health 
and well-being of children.
  Mrs. Vickery has also been a successful business woman and active 
member of the Vienna, Virginia business community, receiving the 
Business Person of the Year award from the Greater Vienna Chamber of 
Commerce, serving as the Grand Marshall of the Vienna Halloween Parade 
for the Vienna Regional Chamber of Commerce, and in other capacities.
  Her contributions to our community have also extended into her role 
as a person of faith. Mrs. Vickery was a founding member of the 
Providence Baptist Church in McLean, Virginia, and served the Vienna 
Baptist Church as a member for the past 60 years in the position of 
Sunday School Director.
  One would think that these innumerable commitments to serving her 
community would be the overriding force in Mrs. Vickery's life and 
replace all other considerations. But one would be mistaken. Mrs. 
Vickery is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. 
She and her husband ``Vick'' raised four sons; and have seven 
grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, Fairfax County is one of the best places in the entire 
country in which to live, work, raise a family and start a business. 
Our high quality of life is only made possible through the efforts of 
citizens such as Clarene Helen Vickery. I congratulate her again on 
joining the Century Club and ask my colleagues to join me in offering 
their congratulations and in thanking her for her many years of service 
to our community. I know that she will continue to remain involved in 
the causes that are dear to her for many years to come.

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