[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6929]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 23RD ANNUAL BEST OF RESTON AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recipients 
of the 23rd Annual Best of Reston Awards for Community Service. The 
Best of Reston Awards are the result of collaboration between 
Cornerstones (formerly Reston Interfaith) and the Greater Reston 
Chamber of Commerce and are presented to individuals, organizations, 
and businesses whose extraordinary efforts make our community a better 
place. I am pleased to enter the names of the following recipients of 
the 2014 Best of Reston Awards into the Congressional Record:
  Individual Community Leader: Carol Ann Bradley. Ms. Bradley has 
dedicated herself to service both locally and globally. She has worked 
with Global Camps Africa, the Friends of the Reston Regional Library, 
the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, the Southgate Community Center, the 
Reston Community Center, the American Association of University Women, 
The Links, Inc., and Educators, Then, Now and Forever.
  Individual Community Leader: Jerry Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson uses his 
broadcasting skills to highlight local nonprofits. He is the director 
of Development and Outreach for Fairfax Public Access, which provides 
television and radio cablecasting services to the region. As a 
volunteer he has filmed and produced videos for numerous nonprofits and 
civic groups.
  Individual Community Leader: Cate Fulkerson. Ms. Fulkerson began 
serving Reston as an entry-level clerk at the Reston Association and 
climbed the ladder to her present role there, Chief Executive Officer. 
She also serves as the chair for the Reston Character Counts! 
Coalition, chairs the annual Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce's 
Ethics Day for South Lakes High School, and remains active in 
Leadership Fairfax.
  Individual Community Leader: Bonnie Haukness. Mrs. Haukness has given 
40 years of service in many aspects of the Reston community. She is a 
board member of the Reston Historic Trust and Reston Museum, and she 
chairs its annual fundraiser, the Reston Homes Tour. She also co-chairs 
fundraisers for Cornerstones, helps organize the Northern Virginia Fine 
Arts Festival, and also has led the Friends of Reston's fundraising 
event to send children to summer day camp.
  Individual Community Leader: Davida Luehrs. Ms. Luehrs is a champion 
for the visually impaired. She works with the Foundation Fighting 
Blindness, the American Council for the Blind, and Visually Impaired 
People of Reston. She has assisted 14 Lions Clubs with hearing and 
vision screening programs for pre-school children, founded VisionWalk, 
and chaired Dining in the Dark fundraisers. She is also active in the 
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school band boards, Reston Swim Team 
Association, parent teacher associations, blood drives, and meals on 
wheels.
  Civic/Community Leader: HomeAid Northern Virginia. Members of the 
Northern Virginia Building Industry Association started HomeAid in 2001 
to help the homeless gain stability by putting a roof over their head. 
It currently contributes resources to build and renovate homeless 
shelters as well as transitional and affordable housing. HomeAid has 
completed more than 70 projects and served more than 10,000 
individuals, work valued at more than $10.5 million.
  Small Business Leader: Brennan & Waite, P.L.C. Founding members (and 
husband and wife) Matthew Brennan and Carol Waite have led their firm 
to support many local causes, including the Greater Reston Chamber of 
Commerce, Habitat For Humanity, Let's Help Kids, the Mosaic Harmony 
Choir, FACETS, Cornerstones, and Leadership Fairfax. Mr. Brennan also 
developed a training program to help those interested in serving on 
county and nonprofit boards.
  Corporate Business Leader: Cooley, LLP. This law firm encourages 
employees to give back to the community by offering paid leave time to 
volunteer and providing matching funds for money raised by employees to 
support local causes. Last year the firm contributed more than $1 
million to nonprofits around the United States. The company's pro bono 
efforts have led to contributions of more than 33,000 hours by 466 
attorneys on more than 687 different pro bono projects per year.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
2014 Best of Reston honorees for their continued commitment to our 
community. I express my sincere gratitude to these individuals, 
businesses, and organizations for contributing their time and energy to 
the betterment of our community.

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