[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NVMS CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2026

  Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the NVMS 
Conflict Resolution Center as it celebrates its 35th anniversary of 
service to Fairfax County and communities throughout Northern Virginia.
  For 3.5 decades, NVMS has helped individuals, families, workplaces, 
organizations, and communities navigate conflict through dialogue, 
understanding, and constructive problem-solving. Originally known as 
the Northern Virginia Mediation Service, NVMS grew from a student 
initiative at George Mason University and became a nonprofit 
organization in 1990.
  Since then, NVMS has grown into an important community resource, 
providing mediation in civil, family, workplace, community, and 
commercial matters, as well as facilitation, restorative justice 
services, and conflict resolution training. Through this work, NVMS has 
helped thousands of our neighbors find common ground and resolve 
disagreements in ways that strengthen relationships and communities.
  The work of conflict resolution is often quiet work. It requires 
patience, empathy, careful listening, and a willingness to bring people 
together even when finding common ground seems difficult. Those values 
are essential to a strong and connected community, and NVMS has spent 
35 years putting them into practice here in Northern Virginia.
  NVMS has also made an enduring investment in the people who carry 
this work forward. By training mediators, facilitators, community 
leaders, and other professionals in the skills necessary to address 
conflict constructively, the organization has extended its impact far 
beyond the cases and conversations it directly supports. Those 
individuals bring the lessons of collaboration, communication, and 
mutual respect into workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, and 
organizations throughout our region.
  This anniversary is also an opportunity to recognize the many people 
who have sustained NVMS over the past 35 years. Its staff, board 
members, volunteers, mediators, community partners, and supporters have 
each played a role in building an organization dedicated to helping our 
neighbors work through differences and build stronger relationships. 
Their commitment reflects the spirit of service and civic engagement 
that makes Fairfax County such a special place to live and work. As the 
Representative for Virginia's 11th Congressional District, I am proud 
to recognize an organization that has made such a lasting contribution 
to the community we call home.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
staff, mediators, volunteers, board members, partners, and supporters 
of the NVMS Conflict Resolution Center on 35 years of service and in 
wishing them continued success in the years ahead.

                          ____________________