[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16464]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE AWARD RECIPIENTS OF THE 2017 CENTREVILLE IMMIGRATION 
                          FORUM ANNUAL DINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2017

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Centreville 
Immigration Forum on the occasion of its 3rd Annual Dinner. The theme 
of this year's gala is ``Celebrating Our Global Community'' and will 
recognize the rich diversity of cultures in Northern Virginia.
  Northern Virginia is blessed by its diversity. In Fairfax County, 
nearly l in 4 residents is foreign born. 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 variety of 
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 in the Record the names of the following 2017 Annual Dinner 
honorees:
  Ms. Diana Katz--Ms. Katz is a co-founder of the Giving Circle of Hope 
which provides grants to area non-profits with budgets below $2 
million. She also co-founded NoVIE, a member driven, CEO-level forum 
that brings together ideas, knowledge and support to benefit the health 
and viability of social good organizations. She was the driving force 
behind the NV Rides program that provides transportation for the 
elderly, and has recently co-founded the Latino Engagement and 
Achievement Fund under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of 
Northern Virginia. The Latino Engagement and Achievement Fund will be 
awarding its first grant this year.
  Mr. Mukit Hossain (posthumously)--Mr. Hossain was a 
telecommunications executive in northern Virginia who became a grass-
roots activist following the September 11 terrorist attacks. He was 
instrumental in encouraging fellow Muslims to become more politically 
engaged through his role as president of the Virginia Muslim Political 
Action Committee. In 2006, he joined with Jewish leaders to push 
successfully for a Virginia state law that made it illegal to falsely 
label kosher and halal foods. He started Food Source, an organization 
to feed the homeless in Fairfax, and used his organizing skills on 
behalf of undocumented workers--particularly as immigration became a 
defining political issue in Prince William and Loudoun counties. Prior 
to his sudden death in 2010 he was named Herndon Citizen of the Year 
and recognized for his community efforts in a joint resolution from the 
Virginia General Assembly.
  Mr. Kofi Dennis--A Master Teaching Artist with Wolf Trap Institute 
for Early Learning through Arts since 1998, Mr. Dennis has shared his 
skills in drumming and story-telling with children and adults of all 
ages. He provides Arts integrated classroom residencies and 
professional development workshops in music and creative drama for 
early childhood educators locally, nationally and internationally. He 
has also brought drumming and storytelling to juveniles and prisoners 
in area jails. This past summer, he was part of a team of Wolf Trap 
master teaching artists and administrators who spent three weeks in 
Singapore. In collaboration with the National Arts Council and Early 
Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), this team led programs to train, 
facilitate workshops, and conduct STEM residencies in arts integration 
for teachers, administrators and artists.
  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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