[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 200 (Thursday, December 22, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2022 ARTS AWARDS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 22, 2022

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize ArtsFairfax and the 
recipients of the 2022 Arts Awards. These awards recognize the 
extraordinary contributions of artists, arts organizations, 
individuals, and businesses in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and 
the City of Falls Church that support the arts in our community.
  Founded in 1964, the formally named Arts Council of Fairfax County, 
Inc. is a non-profit organization designated as Fairfax County's local 
arts agency. Today, ArtsFairfax operates programs and initiatives that 
include grant opportunities, arts advocacy, education, and professional 
development opportunities for artists and arts organizations.
  As the arts community has continued to rebuild after many artists and 
organizations had to cancel programs and events during the height of 
the pandemic, ArtsFairfax awarded over $538,838 in County, public, and 
private funds through competitive grants and awards to arts 
organizations and individual artists in FY2021. ArtsFairfax's 
resiliency and adaptability allowed the organization to continue 
meeting the needs of the arts community during these unprecedented 
times.
  The Arts Awards honors supporters of the arts in 4 categories: the 
Jinx Hazel Arts Award, the Arts Achievement Award, the Arts Innovation 
Award, and the Arts Philanthropy Award. It is my honor to include in 
the Record the following names of the 2022 Arts Awards Recipients:
  The 2022 Jinx Hazel Arts Award, ArtsFairfax's premier award 
recognizing an individual or organization whose vision and commitment 
has helped shape the cultural life of Fairfax County, will be presented 
to Capital One Hall.
  The 2022 Arts Achievement Award will be presented to Mark Brutsche 
for his outstanding career achievement and lasting contributions to the 
community.
  The 2022 Arts Innovation Award will be presented to Fall for the Book 
for their implementation of inventive approaches to their art form that 
have uniquely engaged audiences in the arts.
  The 2022 Arts Philanthropy Award will be presented to Gary and Tina 
Mather for their commitment to making the arts the cornerstone of their 
philanthropic portfolio.
  I also want to recognize the 2022-2024 Fairfax Poet Laureate, 
Danielle Badra, as she builds awareness and appreciation of poetry 
throughout Fairfax County.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
recipients of the 2022 Arts Awards and recognizing the visionaries, 
leaders, and supporters who help to make our Northern Virginia 
communities rich with cultural opportunities.

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