[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  CONGRATULATING TOM BURRELL ON 23 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE LAKE RIDGE 
                    OCCOQUAN COLES CIVIC ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2021

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Burrell 
for his 23 years of selfless service to the Lake Ridge-Occoquan-Coles 
Civic Association (LOCCA) and to congratulate him on his upcoming 
retirement as Chairman.
  Mr. Burrell has been a member of LOCCA since 1993. In 1998, Mr. 
Burrell volunteered to serve as Chairman of LOCCA's Planning, 
Environment Land-Use and Transportation (PELT) Committee. He brought 
with him his leadership and organizational skills acquired from his 
military service training in the U.S. Army and West Point Military 
Academy. He served as chairman from 1998 to 2021, nearly 23 years.
  As the PELT Committee Chairman for more than two decades, Mr. Burrell 
was directly responsible for coordinating and scheduling regular 
monthly PELT Committee review meetings. Furthermore, he arranged 
special work sessions between citizens, homeowner association 
representatives, the development community, and their elected 
representatives, to engage in face-to-face dialogue to review various 
potential projects.
  As PELT Committee Chairman, Mr. Burrell participated in providing 
feedback to Planning Office staff, the Planning Commission, and the 
Board of County Supervisors at public hearings. Mr. Burrell chaired 
meetings on a variety of topics ranging from educating citizens on 
county land-use, rezoning, special use permit applications and 
comprehensive plan land-use requests as well as a facilitating 
communication between residents and developers.
  Mr. Burrell also contributed to Prince William County in numerous 
capacities beyond LOCCA. He served as Vice Chairman on Prince William 
County's Future's Commission and as Vice Chairman on Prince William 
County's Land Use Advisory Committee. Mr. Burrell has served as a 
member of his homeowner association's (HOA's) Board of trustees for 15 
years in Prince William County, serving 2 years as Treasurer and 8 
years as President.
  Because of his tireless and diligent work, Mr. Burrell was appointed 
by the Governor Northam to the Virginia Common Interest Community Board 
and has served as a Planning Commission member for the City of Fairfax.
  I congratulate Mr. Burrell and commend him for his outstanding 
service to the betterment of our local community. He has contributed 
greatly to make the community he lives in a better place for all.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Tom 
Burrell for his service, and in wishing him and his wife Bonnie 
continued health, happiness, and success as they embark on a new 
chapter in life.

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