[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14344-14345]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     FAIRFAX COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MARKS ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2008

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
70th anniversary of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
  The Fairfax County Planning Commission's goal has been to advise the 
Board of Supervisors on all matters related to the orderly growth and 
development of Fairfax County. This includes the preparation of a 
comprehensive plan for the physical development of the county in 
addition to amending zoning and subdivision ordinances. The Commission 
provides citizens with an opportunity to voice their support for or 
opinion on developments in and around their community.

[[Page 14345]]

  The Fairfax County Planning Commission was founded on Wednesday, July 
6, 1938. Throughout the past 70 years, the Fairfax County Board of 
Supervisors has appointed a total of 121 citizens to serve as 
commissioners. The Planning Commission consists of two standing 
committees, the Personnel and Budget Committee and Policy and Procedure 
Committee. Additionally, there are seven subcommittees honing their 
focus towards capital improvement, the environment, parks, 
redevelopment and housing, land use process review, school facilities, 
transportation, and Fort Belvoir. The Planning Commission and staff 
have held thousands of public hearings, hundreds of committee meetings, 
and have forwarded thousands of recommendations to promote orderly, 
balanced and equitable growth.
  Fairfax County is a thriving, urban county with a population that 
exceeds that of seven States. The median household income is one of the 
highest in the Nation. Over half of the adult population has at least a 
bachelor's degree. His also home to George Mason University. With an 
enrollment of over 30,000 students, GMU is a leader in science, 
technology and a variety of other fields. These are all signs of the 
county's strength. This strength has been nurtured and spurred along by 
the Planning Commission's foresight and vision.
  Their work is not done, however; they have set an ambitious 2009 
agenda. This year they will address green building, recycling and 
issues related to Fort Belvoir in addition to their regular duties. The 
actions this group takes today will continue to shape and direct this 
county in the years to come.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank and send 
appreciation to the Fairfax County Planning Commission and their staff 
for their hard work and dedication to Fairfax County. Their untiring, 
dynamic efforts have made Fairfax County a wonderful place to live and 
raise a family. I call upon my colleagues to join me in commending and 
congratulating the Fairfax County Planning Commission on 70 years of 
excellence.

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