[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18909]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOLMES RUN ACRES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2001

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
community in Fairfax County, Holmes Run Acres, on its 50th Anniversary. 
This neighborhood has been providing families with the best Falls 
Church, Virginia has to offer for many years and is well-positioned to 
continue to do so in the future.
  Holmes Run Acres was designed with unique contemporary architecture 
to save trees and blend into the Virginia countryside. When the 
neighborhood was in its early stages, Fairfax County was a rural area. 
In 1951, the county was impacted by the post-World War II development. 
The residents of Holmes Run Acres decided this was time to form a Civic 
Association, and a year later they published ``The Holmes Runner,'' a 
community newsletter.
  Today, they still rely on their Civic Association meetings and 
publications, but, in keeping with technology trends, they have their 
information posted on the World Wide Web. These factors promote 
unifying, community-wide communications network.
  Holmes Run Acres built the first community swimming pool in Fairfax 
County. Volunteers from the neighborhood worked with the Fairfax County 
Park Authority to turn an old dump site into the first neighborhood 
park in the County. The Civic Association encourages its residents to 
initiate and participate in activities that bring the community 
together, such as house and garden tours, art shows, classes and family 
gatherings.
  The residents of Holmes Run Acres are always available to lend a hand 
with many community activities, including those events that are county-
wide. During the 1960s their well-established Civic Association helped 
create an association for a newly formed neighboring community. During 
the holidays, Holmes Run's children run a gift drive for needy children 
outside of their immediate area.
  The recent publication of the third installment of ``Holmes Run 
Acres: The Story of a Community'' proves that this community is going 
strong year after year. The publication provides background on the 
community's history and residents, as well as local history and plans 
for future improvements.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to thank Holmes Run Acres for all it 
has provided to the community. They will be celebrating on Saturday, 
October 6, 2001, and they will also have another event in the spring. I 
hope that all of my colleagues will join me in congratulating them on 
50 years of service and wishing them the best in the years to come.

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