[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9629-9630]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE MEMBERS OF RESCUE RESTON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2016

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate the 
members of Rescue Reston on being named the 2015 Citizen of the Year by 
the Reston Citizens Association. The Citizen of the Year Award 
traditionally honors an individual or group of individuals who have 
contributed to the quality of life in Reston, helped others in need, or 
acted

[[Page 9630]]

with the goals of Reston in mind without thought of personal benefit or 
recognition.
  Rescue Reston is a grassroots organization comprised of thousands of 
Restonians who united to support preserving the Reston National Golf 
Course as open green space. Reston and the surrounding area have 
witnessed an explosion of growth and development in recent years. The 
preservation of public parks and open space is crucial in ensuring the 
high quality of life that is enjoyed by Fairfax County residents and 
honoring Reston's founding principles.
  It is fitting that this award is given by one grassroots organization 
to another. It speaks yet again to the legacy that the founder of 
Reston, Robert E. Simon, leaves behind. I believe that such a high 
level of engagement is one of the best indicators of a healthy and 
vibrant community.
  As a former civic association president, I am uniquely aware of the 
impact that these organizations can have, not only in their local 
community but also in the surrounding area. Their efforts give the 
members of that organization a sense of ownership and serve as a 
constant reminder that a thoughtful, organized group of citizens can 
indeed bring about change.
  Mr. Speaker, the efforts of Rescue Reston on behalf of the greater 
Reston community are selfless undertakings which are truly worthy of 
our highest praise. I commend them on their award and ask my colleagues 
to join me in congratulating them and wishing them great success in all 
their future endeavors.

                          ____________________