[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 80 (Thursday, May 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING MICHAEL O'REILLY AS THE ROTARY CLUB OF HERNDON-RESTON'S 
                          CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2023

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Michael O'Reilly as 
the Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston's Citizen of the Year. Mr. O'Reilly 
is the 54th recipient of this highest honor, presented annually by the 
club.
  Mike was selected for his many years of tireless service to the town. 
A former Herndon Mayor and Town Council member, he was committed to 
using his position as an elected official to better the lives of the 
people of Herndon. During his term he was able to maintain a high level 
of service while also accomplishing such things as opening a new Police 
Station, opening a well-regulated day labor site, and opening a new 
Senior Center.
  After he left elected office, Mr. O'Reilly continued his service to 
the community. He served five years as a member of the Board of 
Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). At 
the time he joined the MWAA Board, Dulles was undergoing major 
renovations and upgrades, spending roughly two million dollars a day, 
building a new runway, building an underground rail system, expanding 
the main terminal, and reconfiguring the entrance and approach roadways 
to accommodate expected growth.
  During his time with MWAA, he was involved in the negotiations for 
the design, financing, and construction of Phase 1 of the Silver Line 
Metrorail Project and the procurement and contract award for Phase 2 of 
that project. The opening of the Herndon Station and the Innovation 
Station would not have been possible without his tenacity and 
commitment to his vision of extending rail to Dulles.
  In his professional life, Mike is the owner of the O'Reilly Law Firm 
in Herndon and serves on the Board of Directors of the Dulles Regional 
Chamber of Commerce. As a leader in the Chamber, he chairs the Herndon 
Committee, which engages and supports Herndon businesses.
  Among his many contributions to the greater community, Mike has 
worked to prevent and end homelessness in his position as Chairman of 
the Governing Board of the Fairfax Falls Church Partnership. Under his 
leadership, Fairfax County was able to reduce the homeless population 
by 46 percent through collaboration between faith-based groups, service 
providers, and community volunteers.
  Mr. O'Reilly now serves as the Chairman of the Board for Arts 
Herndon. In this role, he is working to bring a new Art Center to 
downtown Herndon, aided by a 1.2-million-dollar Fairfax County 
construction grant that he, in conjunction with the Mayor and Town 
representatives, worked to obtain.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating 
Michael O'Reilly on this award and thanking him for his committed and 
selfless service to our community.

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