[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 374-375]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


      CELEBRATING THE DEDICATION OF THE TINNER HILL HISTORIC SITE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 100th Anniversary 
of the founding of the Fairfax County Branch of the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and to 
congratulate the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation on the long-awaited 
dedication of the Tinner Hill Historic Site.
  On January 8, 1915, at the home of Joseph Tinner in Falls Church, 
nine community leaders formed the Colored Citizens Protective League 
(CCPL) in order to fight an ordinance in the then Town of Falls Church 
that would have legalized forced segregation in the town. This 
pioneering group evolved to become the Fairfax County Branch of the 
NAACP, which has played an instrumental role in the struggle for civil 
rights in Fairfax County and the nation for the past 100 years and will 
continue to do so in its next century.
  The Tinner Hill Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit founded by Edwin 
B. Henderson II, a descendant of E.B. Henderson, the CCPL's first 
Secretary, to preserve this important piece of our community's history. 
The Foundation helps prepare tomorrow's leaders by ensuring they 
understand our community's past through cultural enrichment, arts, 
career and entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and counseling 
opportunities and by sponsoring clubs, groups, and organizations. The 
Foundation also has been engaged in the creation of The Tinner Hill 
Historic Site, The African American Heritage Walking Tour, The ``Dear 
Editor'' Contest, and The Tinner Hill Blues Festival.
  I am proud to have partnered with the Foundation since I was the 
Providence District Supervisor on the Fairfax County Board. It was at a 
Foundation event like this where we first discussed the idea of 
preserving this property, and the very next day I worked with my 
colleagues on the Fairfax Board to direct the County Executive to 
collaborate with the City of Falls Church to purchase this site, which 
is so significant to the cultural history of our community. And earlier 
this year, I was pleased to help capture moving and inspirational 
stories from some of the Foundation's members as part of the Northern 
Virginia Civil Rights Archive, which my office assembled in 
collaboration with the Library of Congress and local library branches.

[[Page 375]]

  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation on this momentous occasion and 
commending its members for their steadfast efforts to preserve and 
promote the legacy of the brave African Americans who established the 
Fairfax County Branch of the NAACP and for their commitment to advance 
educational opportunities for students in the community. I also 
congratulate the Fairfax County Branch of the NAACP on the occasion of 
its 100th anniversary. Please accept my sincere appreciation for your 
tireless efforts in support of equal rights and justice for all.