[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10623]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARC OF GREATER PRINCE 
                         WILLIAM/INSIGHT, INC.

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2014

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 50th Anniversary 
of the Arc of Greater Prince William/Insight, Inc., based in 
Woodbridge, Virginia.
  The Arc is an affiliate of The Arc of the United States and The Arc 
of Virginia and is a tireless advocate for the rights and full 
participation of all people with intellectual and developmental 
disabilities. The Arc provides support services to residents of the 
community that help to realize the organization's broader mission.
  The local chapter of the Arc of the Greater Prince William County was 
founded in 1964, and has since seen vast growth within the community. 
At their start, the local chapter served 26 children in a school 
setting. Today, they serve over 1,700 children and adults from the 
Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park communities. Over 10 
major programs are provided, including family support, residential and 
child care services, and advocacy.
  The assistance provided by The Arc in raising a child with 
disabilities begins early in life with their child care services. 
Children ages 6 weeks to 21 years can seek therapeutic and educational 
activities at the Muriel Humphrey Center in Dale City, Virginia. At the 
Robert Day Child Care Center in Manassas children enjoy recreational 
activities that encourage healthy socialization and friendship. 
Recognizing the added stress and time commitments that accompany 
raising a child with disabilities, The Arc offers ``Parents Night Out'' 
and respite care programs. Prince William families are not alone and 
have a dedicated and capable partner in The Arc of Greater Prince 
William.
  The Arc extends its support beyond high school education with a 
number of programs designed to give adults with intellectual and 
developmental disabilities a well-rounded life experience. In the 
vocational services program individuals are taught ground maintenance, 
lawn care and janitorial skills.
  Young adults are encouraged to continue to develop their social 
skills through bowling leagues and various recreational activities. The 
Arc has numerous group homes which allow adults to enjoy an independent 
and less structured living environment. These programs afford 
individuals the opportunity to grow and develop their skills and social 
networks.
  This year, The Arc of Greater Prince William celebrates its 50th 
Anniversary. The organization has built a remarkable infrastructure of 
programs and facilities, including a new 13,800 square foot expansion. 
The residents of Prince William are served well by the diverse and 
comprehensive selection of assistance programs offered by The Arc.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating The 
Arc of the Greater Prince William County on the occasion of its 50th 
Anniversary and in thanking their compassionate members and staff for 
their commitment to providing opportunities for disabled individuals. I 
would like to express my personal gratitude for their work and my 
admiration for the mission they seek to accomplish.

                          ____________________