[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11343-11344]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 2014 HONOREES OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY FEDERATION OF 
                         CITIZENS' ASSOCIATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 10, 2015

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the Fairfax County 
Federation of Citizens' Associations (the ``Federation'') and the 
honorees of its 65th Annual Awards Banquet. The Federation is a 
coalition of civic and homeowners associations. Each year, the 
Federation honors a few select individuals for their extraordinary 
contributions to our community. As a former two-term President of the 
Federation, I understand that those who volunteer their time, energies, 
and talents to civic activities play a vital role in making Fairfax 
County one of the best places in the nation in which to live, work, and 
raise a family. I am honored to recognize the following individuals for 
their service to our community:
  2014 Citizen of the Year: Michael O'Reilly. A lifelong resident of 
Fairfax County, Michael O'Reilly is a true ``model citizen'' who never 
fails to heed the call to public service. Mr. O'Reilly served as Mayor 
of the Town of Herndon from 2004-2006. In 2009 he helped create the 
Governing Board of the Fairfax-Falls Church Partnership to Prevent and 
End Homelessness and has chaired the Board since its inception. He also 
currently serves as President of the Herndon Council for the Arts and 
as Co-chair of the Herndon Committee of the Dulles Regional Chamber.
  Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Agee. For the past 43 years, Mary 
Agee has made an enormous difference in the lives of Northern 
Virginians, particularly the low income and struggling. Joining 
Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) in 1972, Ms. Agee became the 
organization's leader 27 years ago. Under her leadership, NVFS has 
grown into a regional resource that employs 350 people, has 
approximately 3,400 volunteers, and provides assistance to more than 
34,000 Northern Virginia residents every year. Although Ms. Agee is 
retiring from her position as President and Chief Executive of NVFS, 
her contributions and impact have left a permanent imprint on our 
community that will continue to help future generations of Fairfax 
residents.
  Citation of Merit: Connie Hartke. Connie Hartke is best known as 
President of Rescue Reston, a grassroots organization formed to protect 
open space. Under her leadership, Rescue Reston secured more than 4,200 
signatures in opposition to the construction of homes on the Reston 
National Golf Course and led citizen engagement efforts with the Board 
of Supervisors and Board of Zoning Appeals. Ms. Hartke is also a valued 
supporter of the Walker Nature Center, participating in numerous 
education programs including hikes, presentations, and environmental 
film nights.
  Citation of Merit: Bruce Wright. Bruce Wright commutes by bicycle to 
most of the many meetings he attends as Chairman of Fairfax Advocates 
for Better Bicycling (FABB). Since 2005, Mr. Wright and FABB members 
have worked with Fairfax County and the Virginia Department of 
Transportation to ensure that bicycling is an integral part of the 
county's transportation network. Under his leadership, FABB advocated 
for the county's first Bicycle Master Plan. He has served on the Hunter 
Mill District Land Use Committee, the Reston Planning and Zoning 
Committee, the Tysons Land Use Task Force, the Fairfax County Trails & 
Sidewalks Committee, and on the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.
  Special Gratitude Honoree: Supervisor Michael Frey. Supervisor Frey 
has represented the Sully District on the Fairfax County Board of 
Supervisors since the Sully District was created in 1991, and I was 
proud to serve with him during my 14 years on the Board. Prior to that, 
he worked for former Board Chairman Jack Herrity and former Springfield 
District Supervisor Elaine McConnell. Since the beginning of his 
tenure, Mr. Frey oversaw enormous growth and change in the Centreville/

[[Page 11344]]

Chantilly area. His expertise in land use and development issues helped 
guide the area through this transitional period. His notable 
accomplishments include the creation of the Centreville Historic 
District, the acquisition of over 2,000 acres of parkland, and the 
establishment of a day labor center in Centreville. Mr. Frey has worked 
tirelessly for transportation improvements in western Fairfax to 
improve mobility and reduce congestion. A strong proponent of youth 
activities and opportunities for young children, Mr. Frey has been a 
leading advocate of youth sports. In addition, Mr. Frey was a strong 
supporter of the bid by Fairfax County to host the 2015 World Police 
and Fire Games and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the 
organization. Mr. Frey is retiring later this year from the Board of 
Supervisors, and I wish him well in his retirement and thank him for 
his 24 years of service to the County and the residents of the Sully 
District.
  Special Gratitude Honoree: Supervisor Gerald ``Gerry'' Hyland. 
Supervisor Gerry Hyland has represented the Mount Vernon District on 
the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors since 1988, and I was proud to 
serve with him during my 14 years on the Board. As one of the longest-
serving supervisors, Mr. Hyland has helped shape the tremendous growth 
and development of southern Fairfax County. He has been a force for 
renewal within the Mount Vernon District, working tirelessly on such 
major projects as the revitalization of the Route 1 corridor, the 
massive expansion of Fort Belvoir required under BRAC, and the 
transformation of Lorton from an industrial area once known for a 
prison and landfill into a thriving community known for its parkland, 
premier golf course, and the Workhouse Art Center. A tireless advocate 
for his constituents, he has helped manage the explosive growth of 
Mount Vernon to ensure that the quality of life enjoyed by the 
residents would not be diminished, but would rather be enhanced by this 
reinvention of the community. Mr. Hyland is retiring later this year 
from the Board of Supervisors, and I wish him well in his retirement 
and thank him for his 27 years of service to the County and the 
residents of the Mount Vernon District.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking these 
incredible individuals and in congratulating them on being honored by 
the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' Associations. Civic 
engagement is the root of a community, and Fairfax County residents 
enjoy an exceptional quality of life due in part to the efforts of 
these individuals. The contributions and leadership of these honorees 
have been a great benefit to our community and truly merit our highest 
praise.




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