[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1130]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 HONORING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

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                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2000

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor those of 
the Fairfax County Sheriff's Department who have gone above and beyond 
the call of duty to serve our community. The Fairfax Chamber of 
Commerce is hosting the 22nd Annual Valor Awards today, Friday, 
February 11, 2000. The Chamber will recognize law enforcement and 
emergency response personnel for their acts of bravery. A Valor Award 
is the highest honor Fairfax County bestows upon its public safety 
employees.
  The Valor Award recipients are selected by a committee that 
designates honorees for a Lifesaving Award, a Certificate of Valor, or 
a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal of Valor. This year, it is expected 
that 37 agency personnel will be honored for acts of bravery that 
demonstrated extraordinary ingenuity, judgement or zeal.
  Mr. Speaker, I would be honored today to read the names of the 3 
officers of the Fairfax County Sheriff's Department who will receive 
the 1999 Valor Awards. Receiving the Lifesaving Award: Private First 
Class David L. Ross and Deputy Sheriff Charles E. Michael, Jr.; Bronze 
Medal of Valor: Deputy Sheriff Erin L. Cox.
  In 1989, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce established a special 
fund to award scholarships to the children of Valor Award medal winners 
who wish to pursue post-secondary education. Support of the Scholarship 
Fund demonstrates the sincere appreciation of our County's public 
safety officers. Over the past ten years, more than one hundred 
generous businesses and individuals have contributed to this worthy 
fund, and numerous scholarships have been awarded.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I wish to thank all those who serve the 
Fairfax County Sheriff's Department. Since 1979, more than 250 members 
of the Fairfax County Police Department, Fire and Rescue Department, 
and the Office of the Sheriff have received Gold, Silver or Bronze 
Medals of Valor. I recognize the professionalism of the men and women 
who are honored here today. I applaud the heroic efforts the members of 
the Fairfax Sheriff's Department make on our behalf as we extend our 
appreciation to these exceptional individuals today. I commend these 
individuals and their colleagues for their undaunted commitment to the 
citizenry.

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