[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8537]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ROBERT SCHWANINGER, 2006 MASON DISTRICT CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert 
Schwaninger, the 2006 Mason District Citizen of the Year.
  Robert Schwaninger became involved in Mason District community 
activities in 2001 by joining with his neighbors to participate 
informally in local land use issues. Through his involvement, he found 
that shaping the future of Mason District was an ongoing process that 
required engaging citizens at various levels.
  He continues to work with members of his community to spur greater 
community involvement and voter participation. He authored and sent 
thousands of letters to residents of Mason District in order to 
encourage their participation in community development, local services 
and public cooperation. During the past two elections, Mr. Schwaninger 
worked the polls in his precinct, providing support and information to 
voters.
  In 2005, Robert Schwaninger accepted the position of Chairman of the 
Area Plan Review Task Force. In doing so, he took on the responsibility 
of providing a forum for citizens to offer input regarding future land 
development throughout the District. Mr. Schwaninger guided the APR 
Task Force in an efficient and open manner, allowing for the timely and 
fair completion of the task.
  Also during that time, Robert Schwaninger offered his expertise in 
the area of telecommunications law to Mason District and Supervisor 
Gross on issues related to emergency communications interoperability in 
support of first responders, land use issues related to the 
construction of radio towers and broadband infrastructure as well as 
other matters that fall within his practice specialties. As a widely-
published, and often-quoted authority in the telecommunications field, 
Robert Schwaninger's consulting services have been a valuable 
contribution to Mason District.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to express my gratitude to 
Robert Schwaninger for all of his efforts on behalf of Mason District. 
I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding his selection as the 
2006 Mason District Citizen of the Year.

                          ____________________