[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 200 (Thursday, December 22, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE 2022 BEST OF BRADDOCK AWARDS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 22, 2022

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of 
the annual Best of Braddock Awards. These awards are the result of 
collaborative work between the Braddock District Council and Braddock 
District Supervisor and are presented to individuals and organizations 
whose extraordinary efforts make our community a better place.
  I have been proud to represent this community since my days as 
Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The level of civic 
engagement celebrated by these awards is a testament to the community 
spirit of the Braddock District. I have often said that civic 
engagement is a key indicator of a healthy community, and tonight's 
event proves that Braddock District continues to be one of the 
healthiest communities in all of Northern Virginia. I extend my 
congratulations to all of tonight's honorees and commend them for their 
efforts to make our region one of the best places in the country to 
live, work, and raise a family.
  It is my honor to include in the Record the following recipients of 
the 2022 Best of Braddock Awards:


                Organization or Club Making a Difference

       Holy Spirit Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de 
     Paul, for their work supporting some of the most vulnerable 
     populations in our communities.
       SevaTruck, for their tireless efforts to provide hundreds 
     of children with nutritious food after school.


 Neighborhood Beautification, Enhancement, or Community-Building Effort

       Amy Gould, for her efforts to organize and host large-scale 
     clean up events alongside Americana Drive, rain or shine.
       Friends of Royal Lake (FORL), for their mission to preserve 
     Royal Lake and its surrounding parks' ecosystems.


                    Most ``Can-Do'' Public Employee

       John Berlin, for his 24 years of service to Fairfax County 
     and the Fairfax County Park Authority.
       Honorable Mention: Melissa Adams, for her exceptional 
     dedication to her fourth-grade class at Canterbury Woods 
     Elementary School.


                        Young Person of the Year

       Pedro Leonardo Herrera Santiago, for his commitment to 
     learning and helping others.
       Lucas Bickford, for his initiative in starting Villa 
     Neighborhood Cleanup, an effort that has kept Braddock 
     Beautiful.


                          Citizen of the Year

       Brian Bishop, for his leadership and activism as president 
     of the Little Run Civic Association.

  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
2022 Best of Braddock honorees for their tremendous contributions to 
Northern Virginia. We are a better place for them.

                          ____________________