[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4633-H4634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING LIFE OF DOUGLAS GRAHAM

  (Mr. Subramanyam of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Douglas Graham, a remarkable photojournalist, storyteller, and friend 
to the people of our community in northern Virginia.
  For nearly one decade at Loudoun Now, Doug helped our community see 
itself. He captured moments both ordinary and extraordinary, from 
parades and graduations to snowstorms and small acts of kindness.
  However, Doug did more than just take photographs. He built trust. He 
asked good questions, and he listened.
  Even after his cancer diagnosis, Doug continued to tell his story 
with the same honesty and courage that defined his career. Around 
Loudoun people often joke that if something important was happening in 
our community, Doug was already there to capture the moment.
  Doug was always in the room, and he will still be with us. We offer 
our deepest condolences and gratitude to his wife, Dawn; his daughter, 
Lizzie; his friends, colleagues, and the entire Loudoun community.
  We all thank Doug Graham for helping us see his community more 
clearly. May he rest in peace.


                      Honoring Sathguru Dhandapani

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Sathguru 
Dhandapani.
  Sathguru was a beloved husband, father, and community leader. After 
finishing his studies in India, his career took him to northern 
Virginia where he served as an engineer at Visa.

[[Page H4634]]

  He was a well-known and respected CEO across D.C., Virginia, and 
Maryland for his work with the Valluvan Tamil Academy. As the 
treasurer, Sathguru poured his time and efforts into promoting and 
preserving the Tamil language and culture.
  Sathguru also had a deep love for music. He was a strong supporter of 
local concerts. He organized events, coordinated programs, and helped 
families across our region. So many kids benefited from his work as 
well.
  His work touched so many lives in our community. He will be deeply 
missed, and may he rest in peace.


                              Data Centers

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, at this point my community in 
northern Virginia has so many data centers that if it were a country, 
it would be fourth in all countries in the number of data centers. 
There are actually many more, actually hundreds more, potentially, on 
the way.
  Virginians, our community, have been paying the price for years now. 
The price is transmission lines going through homes, schools, and 
historic sites. The price is worse air quality, and the price is higher 
utility bills.
  Now people are fighting back, and we are winning. That is because 
last week, the people of Prince William County spoke out and pushed 
back about a massive, new data center complex spanning almost 750 
football fields.
  That project was unanimously rejected, but the fight is not over.
  New transmission lines are being proposed to support the data center 
industry in Prince William County. Projects like the Nokesville-Bristow 
transmission line are threatening homes, small farms, and livelihoods.
  There is a better way. One way is to underground those lines, and the 
data centers need to pay for it, not the community. This will protect 
our farmland, homes, and schools.
  Also, it sets the tone that data centers and private companies cannot 
demand new energy infrastructure and then pass along the costs to the 
community, because our communities have had enough of high utility 
costs.
  They have had enough of transmission lines next to schools and homes, 
and enough of the noise, pollution, and loss of green space.
  If we work together, we can push companies to underground these lines 
and pay their fair share. In the meantime, I join my community in 
saying: Enough is enough.


             congratulating the american telugu association

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate the American 
Telugu Association on its 19th annual ATA Conference & Youth 
Convention.
  This year's conference in Baltimore brings together leaders from 
across the country to celebrate Telugu heritage. The conference 
recognizes all of ATA's achievements in the fields of science, 
business, technology, literature, and public service, as well as the 
arts, while showcasing live performances and Telugu culture.
  I extend my congratulations to ATA, including its president, Jay 
Challa, and all of the organizers, and I wish everyone a successful and 
meaningful conference in Baltimore.

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