[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16158]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE AWARD RECIPIENTS OF THE CENTREVILLE IMMIGRATION FORUM 
                             ANNUAL DINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2016

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Centreville 
Immigration Forum on the occasion of its 2nd Annual Dinner. The theme 
of this year's gala is ``Our Global Community'' and will celebrate the 
rich diversity of cultures in Northern Virginia.
  Northern Virginia is blessed by its diversity. In Fairfax County, 
nearly 1 in 4 residents were born in another country, more than 100 
languages are spoken in our schools, and we are home to more minority-
owned technology firms than anywhere else in the nation. Our different 
cultures and heritages do not divide us; they make us stronger.
  Three exceptional individuals will be honored during this gala who 
have gone above and beyond in ensuring that everyone, regardless of 
their country of origin, has full access to the benefits and 
opportunities this community and our nation provide. I am pleased to 
include the names of the following 2016 Annual Dinner honorees.
  Walter Tejada, Former Chairman of the Arlington County Board of 
Supervisors. Mr. Tejada is well known for his extensive knowledge and 
experience on the issues of cultural outreach and public service. He 
has served in numerous leadership roles including as Chairman of the 
Arlington County Board of Supervisors and with the National Council of 
La Raza. Prior to his election to the Board, Mr. Tejada served in 
various positions with the League of United Latin American Citizens, 
Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations, the American Salvadoran 
Association of Virginia and the Virginia Latino Leaders Council, where 
he currently serves as President. He has received several awards for 
his work, including the Phyllis Campbell Newsome Award from the Center 
for Non-Profit Advancement and the Legacy Award from the Greater 
Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
  Grace Community Clinic. Grace Community Clinic was opened in October 
2013 by Dr. Tong S. Park and other leaders from the Korean Central 
Presbyterian Church, which I am proud to represent. The clinic provides 
free medical services to 40-50 people each month. More than 40 
volunteers support the Clinic, including five doctors as well as 
nurses, receptionists, and translators. In addition to primary care 
consultations, the Clinic offers limited referrals for free dental care 
to a nearby dentist, and free radiology and lab work through donations 
from INOVA and Fairfax Radiology. The clinic also makes referrals to 
specialists who provide low-cost care on an as needed basis.
  Ibrahim Choudhary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth of Northern Virginia. The 
motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, ``love for all, hatred for 
none'', is a vision that it seeks to fulfill through peaceful dialogue 
and public service. Mr. Choudhary and the members of his youth group 
have focused their efforts on correcting misunderstandings and 
misconceptions about Muslim youth by serving their local communities 
through various projects, from food drives for the poor to handing out 
flyers with messages of peace. Local Ahmadiyya Muslim youths have also 
volunteered regularly with the Capital Area Food Bank to help hand out 
food to those in need in the DC Metro area.
  Mr. Speaker, the efforts of these individuals are noteworthy not only 
because they are rooted in an appreciation for our region's cultural 
and ethnic diversity, but also because they help to strengthen the 
bonds of friendship and cooperation in our community. I congratulate 
them on their awards and ask my colleagues to join me in commending 
them for their service to the Northern Virginia region.

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