Gerald Connolly

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I hope our fellow Americans understand what is really at stake here: engagement and the rollback of a nuclear threat or the kinetic option, which is military intervention that takes us down a path that will lead to more terrorism, more violence, and the necessity of troops on the ground. I choose the former, and I believe our fellow Americans will, too. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, before I recognize the gentleman from New York, I would simply say I think that last analogy is invidious. The history of World War II is the fact that people ignored warnings for so long that, by the time Munich happened, it most certainly was appeasement. What should have happened was active engagement to preclude that ever happening. That is precisely what this administration has done. It will prevent a Munich. It will prevent appeasement. It will provide the dynamic engagement we need to prevent a nuclear Iran. I now proudly yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I would simply point out for the record that Soleimani remains on the list. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ellison).

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Maybe the President could get some advice from the leadership of the Republican Conference in how to figure out what resolution to bring to the floor. I now proudly yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), my friend.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am reminded back to Churchill. He said it is always better to jaw- jaw than to war-war. I now yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards).

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, it was John Kennedy who negotiated the first nuclear Test Ban Treaty successfully with our archenemy that threatened to bury us--the Soviet Union. He said that we should never negotiate out of fear, but we should never fear to negotiate. I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

Mr. CONNOLLY. Forty-two?

Mr. CONNOLLY. Okay. What a lucky man my friend from California is. I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and against the resolution--well, actually, in favor of the resolution of approval. I must say, in starting, we are at a paradoxical moment. The fears, the haunting specter, a terrible thing, the existential threats posed by a nuclear Iran are all legitimate fears and legitimate haunting specters, regional hegemony to be avoided. But ironically, those concerns and those fears and those outcomes raised by my friends on the other side of the aisle and the opponents of this agreement actually come true and are realized if we do what they want us to do, which is to reject this agreement. The alternative to this agreement is an opaque, unconstrained Iranian nuclear program, Mr. Speaker, hanging like the sword of Damocles over all of our heads. And the security of the United States and Israel and regional partners, who knows? The false hope offered by the critics is let's return to the negotiating table to seek a better deal. A man that I respect, at one of our hearings that Chairman Ed Royce chaired on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, former Senator Joe Lieberman, said just that. I said: How did that work? He said: Well, let's just go back to the partners and Iran and say, we just couldn't sell it; let's start over. The proposition that we would renounce our own agreement that we negotiated, wrought by more than a year of tough negotiations, and expect that our negotiating partners, including Russia and China and, of course, Iran itself, would sit back down at the table and start all over again under our leadership is specious, if not delusional, as an argument. We cannot be naive about the scenario in which Congress rejects this agreement brokered by our own country. Among our allies, we divest ourselves of the goodwill that undergirded these negotiations; and among our adversaries, we would confirm their suspicion we cannot be trusted. The international sanctions regime that drove Iran to the negotiating table would collapse, and our diplomatic leverage would be diminished in all future U.S.-led negotiations. Most concerning of all, we would return, once again, to the situation we are at, one of deep anxiety and uncertainty regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. Critics of the agreement have offered no alternative and have tried to define that agreement by what it is not. It is not a perfect deal that dismantles every nut and bolt of the Iranian nuclear development program, peaceful or otherwise. It is not a comprehensive resolution of the entire relationship and the myriad issues the U.S. and our allies have with the repressive regime in Tehran and its reprehensible support for terrorist insurgencies in the region. No one ever said it would be. What arms control agreement in the history of our country has ever attempted to circumscribe every aspect of a relationship with an adversary? And certainly not this one. In other words, this agreement is the diplomatic alternative we sought to attain when we entered into these very negotiations. The deal adheres to the high standards of verification, transparency, and compliance on which any acceptable agreement with Iran must be founded. That isn't just my word. That is what former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell says. That is what Republican former NSC Adviser Brent Scowcroft says. That is what former Republican Senator John Warner from my State says. The agreement erects an unprecedented and intrusive inspection regime that provides the IAEA with access to declared nuclear facilities and suspected covert nuclear development sites. Additionally, they will be able to monitor Iran's entire nuclear program supply chain, including uranium mines, mills, centrifuges, rotors, bellows production, storage facilities, and dedicated procurement for nuclear-related or dual-use materials technology. The agreement also rolls back major components and places strict restrictions on the Iranian nuclear program. If these restrictions are not adhered to, the United States can, at any time, unilaterally revive the sanctions currently in place. Congress should immediately begin to conduct close oversight to ensure those terms are implemented and that Iran is living up to its obligations. This isn't about trust. It was Ronald Reagan who said ``trust, but verify.'' Former Secretary of State Clinton today kind of echoed those words, saying ``distrust and verify,'' and that is why she supports the agreement. It does just that. More broadly, the United States must signal to Iran that its condemnable record on human rights, terrorism, and regional subversion will not be tolerated; nor will we hide, with this agreement, that action and our response to it. In fact, quite the opposite. We will redouble our efforts to stop them in that egregious behavior. Mr. Speaker, in closing, article I, section 8, clause 11, of the Constitution vests Congress with the duty to authorize war. Implicit in that text is Congress' additional responsibility to exhaust all reasonable alternatives before committing the American people and our men and women in uniform to such a fateful path. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action represents our best endeavor to provide just that alternative. It is the product of earnest diplomacy. Congress should put aside partisanship and support it for the sake of our country. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, our friend from Florida asks the right questions. He has just got the wrong answer. I can answer those questions. I want a world that rolls back the nuclear capability of Iran, not a world based on a false hope that we can make it work somehow without a plan. That is what puts the world at risk. That is what puts my children and grandchildren at risk. I am not willing to take that risk Mr. Speaker, before I recognize Mrs. Davis of California, can I inquire how much time is left on both sides?

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the recipients of the 2015 Literary Council of Northern Virginia Community Partner Awards and Volunteer of the Year Awards. Founded in 1962, the Literary Council of Northern Virginia (LCNV) is a non-profit educational organization that recruits and trains volunteers to teach adults who need help reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the English language. The mission of LCNV is to empower adults by providing a wide range of programs that teach the basic literacy skills needed in order to become self-sufficient and full participants in society. These programs include Basic Adult Literacy Tutoring, which works with adults who speak and understand English but are beginning readers and writers, and ESOL tutoring programs that teach reading, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking to those in our community for whom English is not their native language. In addition, LCNV offers two classroom programs: The ESOL Learning Center program, which serves low-income immigrant adults and teaches life skills important in the work place and community, and Family Learning Programs, which teach English proficiency to parents while their children participate in separate literacy-related activities. Over more than 50 years, thousands of people and families have gained new knowledge through LCNV programs. This would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of the many volunteers and community partners. It is my great honor to recognize the following recipients of the 2015 Literacy Council of Northern Virginia Awards: Community Partner Awards: Capital One; The Phillip L. Graham Fund; Region 8 Adult Education Programs Student Essay Readers: Lorena Lemus De Hernandez; Nansy Peta; Blanca Soliz Volunteers of the Year: Lynn Gallagher; Sandra Thomas; Chris Wollenberg Mid Allen Ries Award: Xavier Munoz This year, LCNV learners were invited to submit writings around the theme for this year's Annual Recognition Event: ``My Hopes and Dreams.'' Learners worked with tutors, teachers, and classmates to formulate ideas, construct drafts, edit, and polish their writing in order to create final products that were published in LCNV's annual report. I commend each of the learners who submitted a piece and congratulate them on the incredible progress that they have made. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the contributions of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia and in congratulating each of the 2015 Award Recipients. Their dedication, hard work, and commitment improves the quality of life for the students, as well as the community, by providing program participants with the life skills that are necessary to become active and productive members of society.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Vienna and to thank its members for their service to our community. The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago was formed February 23, 1905, by Paul P. Harris. The name ``Rotary'' is derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices. The Rotary Club concept thrived in its early years and by 1921 there were chapters on six continents. In 1922, the name ``Rotary International'' was adopted. The objective of Rotary International is to encourage and foster community service. International understanding, goodwill, and peace are promoted through the shared commitment to service of Rotarians from around the world. Rotary International now boasts more than 1.2 million members and Clubs exist in 166 countries located on six different continents. And I am pleased to be counted among their honorary ranks. The Vienna Club was chartered June 30, 1965. Shortly thereafter, the Club sponsored a circus as its very first fundraiser. The event raised $1,000 towards the construction of the Vienna Community Center. Since then, the Club has engaged in a wide variety of activities that have benefitted the community. In the early years, the Club offered several different scholarships to local students, provided career counseling, organized CPR training, and engaged in several service projects. Today, the Rotary Club of Vienna is perhaps best known for hosting the annual ViVa Vienna Festival every Memorial Day Weekend. This event attracts thousands of people from throughout the region and is a great source of pride for the Vienna community. Perhaps more importantly, the most recent festival raised approximately $160,000 that the Club will donate to dozens of organizations locally and throughout the world. The efforts and effectiveness of the Vienna Rotary Club have been recognized with Rotary International awards for best club, vocational service, literacy programs, international service, membership, best all-round club, best small club bulletin, community service, and outstanding club. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Rotary Club of Vienna on its 50th Anniversary and thanking its members, volunteers and supporters for putting service above self.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize recipients of the 2015 Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Awards for Chamber Excellence. The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1982 as a business roundtable in the growing community of Reston, Virginia. For more than 30 years, the Reston Chamber has facilitated business growth and entrepreneurship through its programming, advocacy, and engagement throughout the region. The Reston Chamber currently has more than 600 member businesses that together employ more than 10,000 people. It is the 6th largest chamber of commerce in the Washington, D.C.- metropolitan region and is deeply embedded in the community. The Reston Chamber hosts annual events such as Taste of Reston, Oktoberfest Reston, and Best of Reston, and it has received national recognition for its Ethics Day, a workshop for high school students on ethical decision making. Members use the INC.spire Education Foundation and business coaching programs to help create and grow their enterprises. INC.spire has assisted more than four dozen entrepreneurs create 500 jobs and $45 million of business investment. Each year, the Chamber recognizes member companies, individuals, and volunteers who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and exceptional dedication to the Reston community. I am pleased to join the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce in recognizing the following Awards for Chamber Excellence (ACE) recipients: Committee of the Year: Communications Committee Small Business of the Year: Visual Impact Productions Medium Business of the Year: Able Moving and Storage Large Business of the Year: Odin, Feldman & Pittleman, PC Member of the Year: Maggie Parker and Comstock Partners LC New Member of the Year: Jason Butler, JB Printing & Specialty Services Volunteer of the Year: Janel Giambrone, M&T Bank President's Award: Cornerstones Joe Ritchey Pinnacle Award: Matthew Brennan, Brennan & Waite, PLC Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this year's award recipients and in thanking them for their contributions to the local economy and outstanding service to our community. I also commend the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for its role as an invaluable partner to local businesses, nonprofits and schools. The efforts of the Chamber, the member businesses, and volunteers have helped make Reston a truly special place live, work, and raise a family.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of my constituent, Mr. John Streufert. Mr. Streufert retired from his position as Director of the Federal Network Resilience Branch (FNR) of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Cybersecurity and Communications May 31, 2015, following 34 years of exemplary federal service. Since Mr. Streufert began his service to our country, he has held an assortment of positions with various agencies including the Navy Sea Systems Command, the Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. While serving as the special assistant for Signals Intelligence and Information Operations, Naval Network Warfare Command, he led the Navy's expansion of its operational role in cyberspace. Mr. Streufert also served with the State Department where he served as Chief Information Security Officer before transferring to DHS and assuming the position of Director of the FNR, which he held for more than three years. Mr. Streufert is well known in government and industry as the ``brains and energy'' behind the government's move to secure and continuously monitor the federal information technology network, which was a revolutionary approach he developed while with USAID and State. Upon joining DHS, he cultivated this approach into a strategy for government-wide cybersecurity acquisitions that leveraged the advantages of volume purchasing and thereby reducing taxpayer cost. This program, now known as Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM), enhances the cybersecurity of networks and systems across the government by enabling vulnerabilities to be identified and mitigated more quickly. In addition to being an innovative technologist and industry trailblazer, Mr. Streufert is known for being a true leader and mentor. His empowerment and mentorship of his federal colleagues and staff will serve as his legacy as those employees become the next generation of our nation's leaders, due largely to his example and guidance. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. John Streufert on his retirement and in thanking him for his 34 years of distinguished service to the people of the United States of America. His accomplishments, innovation, and leadership have contributed greatly to our nation and are worthy of our highest praise.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding group of first responders and public safety officers who have been honored with the Third Annual Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce ``Above and Beyond'' Award. These awards honor Fairfax County Firefighters, EMTs, Police Officers and Sheriff's Deputies who give back to the Greater Springfield area by providing service to the community outside their normal duties. In addition to the immeasurable contributions made every day in the line of duty, these men and women have distinguished themselves through their extraordinary efforts in the community, which largely go unseen. They willingly volunteer their personal time, energies, and support to activities for the betterment of our children, our neighborhoods, and our quality of life. It is my honor to submit the names of the following individuals: Fairfax County Sheriff 2nd Lt. Kevin Timothy for his efforts on behalf of Leadership Fairfax Inc.'s Emerging Leaders Institute. Northern Virginia Community College Police Chief Daniel Dusseau for creating the Northern Virginia Community Outreach Officer Working Group, with members from 20 agencies, among other activities. Fairfax County Police Officer PFC Matthew Dannemann, West Springfield District Police Station, for his volunteer efforts with the Virginia Chapter of the American Rescue Dog Association and the Police Department Supplemental Search and Rescue Team. Fairfax County Master Police Officer Jason Thompson, Franconia District Police Station, also for his volunteer efforts with the Virginia Chapter of the American Rescue Dog Association and the Police Department Supplemental Search and Rescue Team. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating and thanking each of the brave men and women who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve our community. They are part of the bravest and the finest who collectively ensure that Fairfax County remains one of the nation's safest communities in which to live, work, and raise a family. Moreover, the volunteer service exhibited by these honorees is one of the hallmarks of what has made Fairfax the thriving community it is today, and because of their efforts, that tradition will carry on for future generations.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 75th Anniversary of the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) and to thank its officers and staff for their service to our community. The Department's roots actually date back to the 1920s when a small group of officers was assembled to handle the then perceived growing traffic problems in Fairfax County, which then had a population of about 22,000 people. By 1940, the county population had nearly doubled to 44,000. The need for an independent police force had become clear and a small department comprised of just 6 officers was established. Today, Fairfax County, with a population of about 1.2 million people, is the safest jurisdiction of its size in the United States. In fact, the total number of serious crimes against people and property committed in the county is actually lower today than it was in 1970 when FCPD began tracking statistics even though the population has more than doubled since then. Remarkably, FCPD has achieved this level of safety with the lowest officer-to-community-member ratio for a jurisdiction of its size and has lost only six officers in the line of duty in 75 years. FCPD accomplishes this success through strong relationships with the community, other county agencies, and its counterparts in other jurisdictions. I enjoyed a strong relationship with the department during my 14 years on the Board of Supervisors, particularly during my five years as chairman, and that partnership continues with my service in the U.S. Congress. Community engagement is a particularly high priority for FCPD. Officers are visible in our schools and mentor our youth. They meet with local business owners and coordinate with neighborhood watch programs. They meet with local minority communities and faith groups to foster better understanding and cooperation. Moreover, the Chief's Council on Diversity Recruitment strives to ensure that the diversity of the force reflects that of the community. Almost every year since 1995, I have ridden alongside the Chief or another police officer to National Night Out events throughout Fairfax County and it is inspiring to see the depth of community support for our law enforcement officers. This is a tribute to the level of passion and commitment displayed by the Department to their mission and our residents. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Fairfax County Police Department on its 75th anniversary and in thanking the men and women of the Fairfax County Police Department who have made Fairfax County the safest jurisdiction of its size in the United States. This accomplishment certainly contributes to the County being rated as one of the best communities in the nation in which to live, work, and raise a family.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 2015 Best of Braddock Awards, presented by the Braddock District Council of Community Associations. These awards are given annually to deserving individuals, organizations, and companies in the Braddock Magisterial District of Fairfax County, Virginia, who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to our community. The goal of the Braddock District Council is to promote the civic, community, and general welfare of the citizens of the Braddock District. The Council represents the interests of community associations, facilitates cooperation and coordination between associations, and provides a path of communications between associations and officials or elected representatives of the Braddock District. I am pleased to join the Braddock District Council of Community Associations in recognizing the following Recipients of the 2015 Best of Braddock Awards: Citizens of the Year: Amy Zydel for her selfless devotion of time and talent to foster care children and foster care parents in the Braddock District and all of Fairfax County. She also is a key supporter of ``Let's Help Kids,'' a local charity aimed at giving a helping hand to elementary school children whose parents are suffering financial hardship. Duwain Ketch for his many years of working with the Kings Park and Burke Centre Libraries. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Fairfax Library Foundation and heads the Foundation's Scholarship Committee. Mr. Ketch previously has served as a member of the Burke Centre Conservancy Board of Trustees, and he is a member of the Rotary Club of Burke. Young Person of the Year: Jonathan McCarty--a member of Boy Scout Troop 1115--for his Eagle Scout project. Jonathan led a group of volunteers in completing trail improvements in Accotink Park by digging a ditch next to the trail which will help reduce the amount of standing water on the trail after rainstorms. All of the work was done by hand because it is located in an area of archeological importance. Most ``Can-Do'' Public Employee: Dennis Barton of the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) for volunteering to work overtime with Jonathan McCarty to haul away thirteen cubic feet of dirt that was removed when digging a trail ditch. Without his help, the project couldn't have been completed. Club or Organization Making a Difference in the Braddock District: Friends of Long Branch Stream Valley. Less than a year old, this group organized itself for the express purpose of improving both environmental and recreational opportunities in the Long Branch Stream Valley, a part of the Accotink Watershed. Neighborhood Enhancement or Beautification in the Braddock District (2 honorees): The Commonwealth Swim Club. When declining membership and tight budgets caused the pool board to cut back on grounds maintenance funds, the grounds began to show signs of neglect. James Watkins, a member of the club and a handyman, offered his time and resources to remedy the problems. He repaired the entrance to the pool, restored the primary storm water runoff channel, installed new lighting, and landscaped and beautified the area leading to the clubhouse. Kings Park West Townhouses HOA. When Marilyn Stoney's property began experiencing flooding, she came to the board with a simple request which led to a community-wide storm water management project. Ms. Stoney volunteered her experience as a program manager to research the problems, develop solutions, solicit bids, oversee the work, and obtain a grant to assist with replanting once construction was completed. A dozen members of the community assisted with the planting. Special Recognition also is being given to the employees of the Fairfax County Park Authority who worked with the residents of Olde Forge/Surrey Square to build the new community playground. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these outstanding residents and organizations and also in thanking them for their service to our community. Their efforts and leadership have been a great benefit to the Braddock District and are deserving of our highest praise.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Robert E. Simon Jr. Children's Center on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary and its relocation to a new facility. The education and well-being of our children are among the highest priorities that we as a community share. The Robert E. Simon Jr. Children's Center provides a safe, nurturing, instructional atmosphere that promotes creativity, curiosity, independence, and cooperation. The Simon Center is a nonprofit organization located in the 11th Congressional District in Reston, Virginia, and named after Mr. Robert E. Simon, the founder of Reston. The Center was founded in 1990 as part of the Reston Area Child Care Consortium. The consortium was made up of employers, community residents, parents, educators, and professionals concerned about child care needs in our community. The Simon Center fulfilled Mr. Simon's original vision for providing quality childcare in his master plan for Reston. Mr. Simon's original plan placed the Center adjacent to an elder care facility to add an ``inter-generational'' component. That feature was part of the Center's original space as it was connected to a rehabilitation center and a close walk to an assisted-living facility. For 24 years, this arrangement flourished and both the children and the senior citizens in the neighborhood benefitted greatly. The Simon Center is dedicated to meeting the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual needs of children aged three months to five years in a safe, child-oriented environment. Since 2000, the Center has held an advanced accreditation by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of The National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Simon Center prides itself on helping children grow through the exploration of their environment and the community. Its caring and highly qualified staff, low teacher turnover, parent-run board of directors, and low children-to-staff nursery ratios create a stable, nurturing environment for our children. The Center provides families greater flexibility with a year-round program and convenient hours with minimal closings. The benefits of quality early education programs are indisputable. The Center for Public Education has conducted extensive research into both the short term and long term effects of Pre-K educational programs. In every measurable area including kindergarten readiness, high school graduation rates, test scores at various points throughout elementary and high school, average income at age 40, even in home ownership rates, children who had participated in Pre-K programs fared much better than their counterparts who did not. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Robert E. Simon, Jr. Children's Center on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary and commending its staff and supporters for their unwavering devotion to our children.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of my constituent Tawny Hammond and to congratulate her on her retirement following 26 years of service to Fairfax County and our community. Ms. Hammond began her career with the county at the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) in 1989 and served in a variety of roles including management of recreation centers, a large lakefront park and a historic farm park. Additionally, she was involved in strategic planning and accreditation, and was instrumental in FCPA being awarded multiple gold medals by the National Recreation and Park Association. During her tenure, she represented Fairfax County Park Authority at regional, state and national conferences, providing presentations on community building, revenue generation and innovative programming. In recognition of her extraordinary service to preserving and enhancing the county park system, she received numerous performance and achievement awards, most notably the A. Heath Onthank Award in 2002, which is Fairfax County's highest honor for its employees. Ms. Hammond was named Director of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in 2012. In just three years, she has turned the shelter into a national model for the humane treatment of animals and has made Fairfax one of the top life-saving communities in the nation. The CEO of the Humane Society of the United States proclaimed the shelter to be one of the top 1% of municipal shelters in the nation. Under Director Hammond's leadership, Fairfax County became the largest jurisdiction in the US with a live release rate of animals above 90%. On her watch, adoptions of shelter pets have nearly doubled, with 2014 seeing the highest number of dogs ever adopted in a single year (more than 1000). Each year, approximately 5,000 animals come through the shelter's doors. Director Hammond implemented policies and programs so that no animals are euthanized for lack of space or other resources and so that all adoptable animals find loving permanent homes. She implemented new programs including shelter dog play groups and low income spay and neuter services, eliminated breed adoption restrictions, established community cat rooms, and expanded the trap-neuter-retum program, which is now the largest of its type in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She grew the volunteer program to 300 active volunteers and 150 foster families, launched the animal shelter Facebook page, which has become the County's most popular Facebook page, and started a partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority to offer Scout programs, camps, programs and obedience classes in the shelter training room. She did all this while overseeing the total reconstruction of the shelter. For these accomplishments, she received the 2014 Leadership Award from the Metropolitan D.C. Council of Governments, the 2014 Compassion Award by the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, and was recently named to the Board of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies. Upon her retirement, she was again awarded the A. Heath Onthank Award--the first person to earn this distinction twice. Ms. Hammond is also well known for her service to the community outside of her job. She lead ``Springfield Days'' for more than 20 years, helping it grow to one of the County's largest special events, and served for ten years as president of the Springfield Civic Association where she was credited with making the community group accessible to the disabled and successfully tackling tough neighborhood issues such as boarding houses and hoarding. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Tawny Hammond for a lifetime of service to our community and in congratulating her on her retirement. When I was Chairman of the County Board, we often joked when retirement announcements like this were made that we should pass an ordinance not allowing such talented and dedicated people to leave public or community service, and I certainly wish that was the case here. I wish Tawny and her family all the best in this next chapter of her life.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Annandale and to thank its members for their service to our community. The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago was formed February 23, 1905, by Paul P. Harris. The name ``Rotary'' is derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices. The Rotary Club concept thrived in its early years, and by 1921 there were chapters on six continents. In 1922, the name ``Rotary International'' was adopted. The objective of Rotary International is to encourage and foster community service. International understanding, goodwill, and peace are promoted through the shared commitment to service of Rotarians from around the world. Rotary International now boasts more than 1.2 million members in 166 countries, and I am pleased to be counted among their honorary ranks. Chartered in 1965, the Rotary Club of Annandale is an integral part of the community and engages in numerous public service activities. The Club supports various local community service organizations that provide day care facilities, housing for the homeless, literacy classes, and summer camps for low income families, through financial donations and volunteer work programs. In addition, the Club is very committed to supporting educational programs, including the support of student service organizations at Annandale High School and Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale Campus, scholarships to graduating seniors at Annandale and Woodson high schools and vocational scholarships to students at NVCC. The Club also presents Rotary Medals to the outstanding graduate at each of the elementary, middle, and high schools in the greater Annandale area. Rotary International is renowned for its worldwide humanitarian projects. The Annandale Rotary Club embraces this philosophy and has sponsored projects in other countries, including efforts to and equip a school in Haiti. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Rotary Club of Annandale on its 50th Anniversary and thanking its members, volunteers, and supporters for putting service above self.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I want to begin by thanking the majority for including my amendment offered to the coal ash bill considered in a previous Congress requiring States to have a strong and comprehensive emergency response plan in the unfortunate event of a spill or a leak. As I said then, and believe even more now, we simply cannot count on a private company to be prepared for a spill. The State and local governments, who will be the first responders, must also be active partners. By requiring States to be prepared with their own emergency response plans, I think we are taking a modest step to ensure they are prepared to protect the communities. Again, I acknowledge that and thank my colleagues. It is in that same spirit of bipartisan, commonsense, and modest safeguards that I offer this amendment that would simply require that all inactive surface impoundments that begin closure procedures to put in place the same groundwater monitoring safeguards procedures required in the final Federal rule. When we debated similar legislation in July of 2013, I spoke of the devastating 2008 failure of the coal ash impoundment in Kingston, Tennessee. As a result of that breach, more than 5 million cubic yards of coal ash were released, covering more than 300 acres in toxic sludge, damaging and destroying homes and property, resulting in more than $1.2 billion in cleanup costs. We must not forget the lasting health consequences as well, some of which are still unknown, resulting from that incident. Some residents will suffer from respiratory illnesses and other side effects. Arsenic levels, where the Kingston coal ash runoff was disposed of, were measured at 80 times higher than the amount allowed under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the EPA already has said such exposure significantly increases the risk of cancer over time. What is even more troubling is these incidents continue to occur, most recently in my own home State of Virginia, where a neighboring North Carolina coal ash pond spilled more than 39,000 tons of toxic ash and 24 million gallons of wastewater into the Dan River. Though much of the public and media attention of this spill was focused on North Carolina's regulatory shortcomings, Virginians were also left exposed to the dangers of that coal ash spill. It is estimated that only 2,500 tons of ash were removed, leaving over 90 percent of the coal ash in Virginia waters. As a result of this incident, Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality has proposed a $2.5 million settlement against Duke Energy Carolinas, probably only a fraction of the ultimate cost of cleanup. What has happened to communities in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia can happen to any one of our communities that have or are near coal ash impoundment ponds. Today across the Commonwealth of Virginia, there are more than 30 active and inactive ponds at 11 different sites, including one in my district, with an average of 47 years. As more of these facilities transition from coal-fired plants to gas- fired and biomass and as we close down these surface impoundments, we need to make sure we are protecting our communities with proper postclosure procedures. One of the easiest protections our constituents can expect is that we maintain rigorous groundwater monitoring as these legacy ponds and inactive surface impoundments move toward postclosure status. However, I worry that, as this bill is written and, admittedly, as the EPA rule was finalized, regrettably, an unfortunate carve-out was made that threatens our communities. Why is it that a site that closes under the rule's guidelines must monitor groundwater for 30 years, but one that is rushed to meet the 3- year deadline only has to monitor for a fraction of that same time? What could go wrong with that? Buried on pages 125 and 126 of the April 17, 2015, Federal Register, EPA notes that it ``received few public comments on the proposed activities to conduct during the post-closure care. These commenters were supportive of the activities and specifically urged the rule to require the monitoring of groundwater throughout the post-closure care period. The Agency received no comments opposing the proposed postclosure care activities.'' I will remind my friends that more than 450,000 comments were provided on this rule. It isn't often we can all agree on something. But I think we can agree our neighbors have the right to expect that the water they are drinking is safe. So here is our opportunity to come together and support strong groundwater monitoring requirements at impoundment sites that keep all of our communities safe, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.