[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 200 (Thursday, December 22, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1346-E1347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAMB CENTER

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 22, 2022

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Lamb Center for 
30 years of dedication and service to some of the most vulnerable 
members of our community.
  Founded in 1992, the Lamb Center is a nonprofit organization 
dedicated to helping those in our community who are suffering from the 
effects of poverty. This help takes many forms.
  The Lamb Center is as a daytime drop-in shelter for individuals 
experiencing homelessness in Fairfax, Virginia. They provide a variety 
of services without cost to the individuals in need, including 
breakfast, lunch, showers, laundry service, case management, and more. 
The facility in Fairfax City is fitted with medical offices to provide 
health care services and referrals for the unhoused and uninsured. 
People can also receive pro bono restorative dental services on site.
  Not only does the Lamb Center cover necessities like food, clothing, 
and hygiene, but they work to get people back on their feet and into 
permanent housing. One vital part of that is finding employment. 
Through their City Jobs program, the Lamb Center partners with the City 
of Fairfax and Fairfax County to create employment opportunities for 
individuals that meet these individuals where they are and empower them 
to reach their full employment potential. The program pays $10 an hour 
for working 4 hours 2 days a week. The goal of the program is to help 
people graduate to a full-time or part time job in conjunction with 
housing opportunities.
  For someone experiencing homelessness, knowing you are part of a 
community that cares and will give you the assistance necessary to get 
back on your feet can help ease the burden of your plight. In a county 
as economically prosperous as Fairfax County, it can be easy to forget 
there are still citizens who go without the most basic necessities. 
Organizations like the Lamb Center are helping to make sure that we 
bring everyone to the table and providing all with a path towards 
economic success and independence.
  During my tenure as chairman of the Fairfax County Board of 
Supervisors, we developed a 10 year plan to prevent and end 
homelessness. Due to the efforts of the Lamb Center and many other 
similar public-private partnerships working to meet everyone's needs, 
we have seen homelessness in Fairfax County decline by 35 percent since 
2008.
  Madam Speaker, I extend my congratulations to Cathy Liverman, 
chairman of the Board, and Tara Ruszkowski, the Executive Director, as 
well as all the members of the Board, staff, and volunteers who have 
contributed their time, energy, and resources to the Lamb Center over 
the last 30 years. Their support is part of why Fairfax County remains 
1 of the best places in the country in which to live, work, and raise a 
family, and I commend them all for their service to our community. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Lamb Center on this 
tremendous anniversary.

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