[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 116 (Monday, July 15, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF HERNDON-RESTON FISH AND THE 2024 
                           STARFISH HONOREES

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 15, 2024

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 55th Anniversary 
of Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. and the 2024 ``StarFISH'' Honorees.
  Since 1969, Herndon-Reston FISH, Inc. has provided Friendly, Instant, 
Sympathetic Help for neighbors in need in Reston and Herndon. FISH 
meets immediate critical needs for rental assistance, furniture, 
utilities, medical care, and other emergencies. FISH also manages a 
thrift shop, operates an information and referral service, and offers 
financial workshops to provide clients with the tools necessary to 
achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
  During fiscal year 2023, FISH helped with rent, utilities, 
prescription costs, and more for 1,906 families, or almost 7,000 
people, which totaled $446,448 monthly. During the winter holiday 
season, FISH provided gift cards totaling almost $11,000 to 218 
families, made up of 894 individuals, of which 57 percent were children 
18 and younger. In addition to the gift cards, they provided 510 
holiday gifts to children in Herndon and Reston. FISH was also able to 
purchase $42,500 in grocery gift cards with funds from the American 
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help with their food assistance programs.
  At its annual gala, FISH recognizes individuals and companies who 
have made extraordinary contributions over the past year. I am pleased 
to include in the Record the names of the 2024 ``StarFISH'' honorees.

       Elliot Wicks is President of the Herndon-Reston FISH Board 
     and their webmaster. He enjoys the comradery with the Board, 
     staff, volunteers, and others. Elliot is impressed and 
     inspired by their dedication and skill and is passionate 
     about FISH's mission of helping people in need.
       Renee Boyle, a FISH Emergency Assistance Volunteer and FISH 
     Fling Auction Co-Chair, became interested in FISH five years 
     ago. Renee hopes to honor her mother's work as a social 
     worker through volunteer efforts with FISH. Renee continues 
     to a advocate for FISH because the need for their services 
     continues to grow in our communities.
       Sheila Grooms is a FISH Emergency Assistance Volunteer. 
     When her daughter was two years old, Sheila became a single 
     parent and received help from a church to get herself on her 
     feet. Sheila has been paying this assistance forward in her 
     community and has been with HRFISH since 2022. She is 
     motivated by random acts of kindness to her community and is 
     passionate about teaching her grandsons to help their 
     neighbors.
       Paulette Mlakar was introduced to The Bargain Loft when she 
     was looking for places that sold recycled things. It wasn't 
     long before she became a volunteer and has been with The 
     Bargain Loft since 2011. Paulette has continued to add to her 
     responsibilities over the years and is an integral part of 
     the team working at the shop. She likes to live by the 
     saying, ``Don't count the days or years but make them 
     count.''
       Rosemary Leonard became a volunteer at The Bargain Loft 11 
     years ago when she moved to Reston. Rosemary has a wealth of 
     knowledge when it comes to antique and vintage items, so she 
     is a great researcher and pricer at the shop. Rosemary enjoys 
     that FISH brings together a great bunch of people who serve 
     for one purpose: to help people in need--the epitome of 
     volunteerism.
       Kurt Rose and Aspen Jewelry Designs is the Corporate 
     StarFISH of the year. Kurt has generously given his time and 
     expertise in helping The Bargain Loft. Over the years, Kurt 
     has graciously evaluated many of the jewelry donations pro 
     bono and has given The Bargain Loft checks for broken jewelry 
     that would not otherwise generate revenue.

  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Herndon-
Reston FISH for 55 years of service. I also extend my personal 
congratulations to this year's honorees and express my sincere 
appreciation to these individuals for contributing their time and 
energy to helping the most vulnerable in our community.

                          ____________________