[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11360]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARLINGTON COMMITTEE OF 100

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 1, 2004

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate 
the Arlington Committee of 100 on its 50th anniversary this year. With 
its monthly forums on citizen education and discussion of local and 
regional public affairs, the committee has helped keep the citizens of 
Arlington County informed of the issues confronting their community.
  In 1954 the Arlington Committee of 100 was formed to help counteract 
the polarization that developed throughout the county between the new 
arrivals and the established business and professional people in the 
community after World War II. The founders hoped to improve the quality 
and level of communication that existed between Arlington County's 
diverse commmnities and neighborhoods. In the past, poor communication 
had often led to animosity and misinformation between neighbors. 
Seeking to turn conflict into constructive discussions, the Arlington 
Committee of 100 brought residents together in an atmosphere conducive 
for them to get to know each other as people with similar concerns, 
thoughts and ideas for Arlington County.
  For the past 50 years, the Arlington Committee of 100 has brought 
these groups together for a dinner-forum session preceded by a social 
hour to create the right atmosphere and achieve the goal of thoughtful 
discussions of community concerns. The committee has come together to 
discuss issues such as the Arlington County budget, the environment, 
affordable housing, community safety, public education, transportation, 
economic development, the death penalty, and the arts. As a citizen 
education group, these discussions allow for the free exchange of ideas 
and discussion among its members without the committee ever taking an 
official position.
  Currently, the Arlington Committee of 100 has more than 300 members 
and is constantly seeking to broaden its membership to reflect the ever 
increasing diversity found in Arlington County. Through the committee's 
forums people are able to share the concerns of their friends and 
neighbors and help the county achieve so many great things due to this 
diversity. The Arlington Committee of 100 has successfully built 
bridges across divisive issues and strengthened a community that stands 
ready to deal with the challenges of today and tomorrow.
  I am very pleased to congratulate and commend the Arlington Committee 
of 100 for its 50 years of outstanding service in providing an 
educational forum for Arlington's residents to learn about and discuss 
the local and regional affairs of their community. I wish the Committee 
of 100 many more years of success and serve to Arlington's diverse and 
vibrant community.

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