Gerald Connolly

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 758 as amended. President Vladimir Putin seems to have learned nothing from history other than that power grows out of the barrel of a gun. The Russian Federation under President Putin has demonstrated an ethos of naked aggression that threatens the principle of nation-state sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Russia's neighbors. When Russian troops were identified as fomenting unrest in Crimea in February of this year, President Putin adamantly denied Russian involvement. By April, Russia had illegally annexed Crimea, and Putin had come clean about the blatant Russian intrusion. He admitted that Russian troops had been deployed to Crimea before the illegal annexation on March 21, and exposed the illegitimate referendum on independence in Crimea for what it was, a referendum held at the end of the barrel of a gun. As Ukrainians in Crimea flee their Russian occupiers, I cannot help but feel the reverberations of Crimea's bloody history. What we are witnessing in eastern Ukraine constitutes one of the most audacious power grabs of the 21st century, and it is happening in Europe no less. I recently participated in a bipartisan delegation to the Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. I can attest that our NATO allies are under no illusions about Mr. Putin and they see him for what he is, a bully who will only be encouraged by concession. The 28 nations represented at the NATO PA adopted strong language calling on NATO member countries to ``make it unambiguously clear that the illegal `annexation' of Crimea will never be recognized.'' The leadership of the NATO PA has rotated to the United States, and my colleague, Mr. Turner of Ohio, has been elected President of the parliamentary body. The world is looking to the United States to reverse the dangerous precedent that has been set in Crimea. To that end, I am pleased to see that H. Res. 758 includes language that echoes bipartisan legislation I introduced earlier this year with my colleague Rep. Steve Chabot, the Crimea Annexation Non-Recognition Act, H.R. 5241. Today's resolution calls on the President to cooperate with United States allies and partners in Europe and other countries around the world to refuse to recognize any de jure or de facto sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters. Some of my colleagues may recall that in the Cold War era, the U.S. had a policy of non-recognition regarding the Soviet Union's illegal annexation of the Baltic Republics. The U.S. recognized neither the de jure nor de facto sovereignty of the Soviet Union over the Baltic Republics. Our policy of non-recognition did not end in 1991 because it had become outdated or failed to recognize a fait accompli. It ended because the Baltic people gained their independence in 1991 almost 50 years after the Soviet occupation began, and today, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are NATO allies. Without a clear stance on the issue of Crimea, the West becomes unwittingly complicit in Putin's further aggression in eastern Ukraine and offers little hope to Ukrainians leaving Crimea that they will ever have the opportunity to return home. For the United States to allow this naked aggression to go unaddressed would be truly an abrogation of our moral responsibility and would turn our back on what we should have learned from 20th century history. Congress must make a stand, and I, for one, am stuck at Crimea.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join you in welcoming our pastor, Pastor Ryoo, from the Korean Central Presbyterian Church, located in Centreville, Virginia, and the 11th Congressional District, for today's invocation. This church has been active in our community since it was founded 41 years ago in Vienna. Prior to my election to Congress, I served as chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with the congregation on the construction of its new sanctuary and on many of its activities throughout our community. Within its many outreach ministries, the church founded a senior center 20 years ago, offering meals, recreation, skills training, and computerization for our senior population. Under the direction of Heisung Lee, the center is now independently run and has been recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Republic of Korea as an outstanding volunteer organization. This and the many other activities of the congregation exemplify the tremendous contributions the Korean American community are making throughout the United States. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent one of the most vibrant Korean American communities in the United States and to continue our partnership here in Congress as cochair of the Korea Caucus. I thank you, again, for joining us in welcoming Pastor Ryoo who, I think, really is emblematic of the success of the immigrant population in the United States. He represents our future.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. James P. Papageorge on the occasion of his retirement from the Navy after more than 30 years of service as a Submarine Officer and civilian employee. Mr. Papageorge is a resident of Ashburn, Virginia, and has been a Department of the Navy civilian employee since 1985. His prior active-duty Navy experience includes service as a nuclear-trained machinist's mate and as a submarine strategic weapons officer. Since 2007, Mr. Papageorge has served as the Deputy Program Manager for In-Service Aircraft Carriers (PMS 312) at the Program Executive Office for Aircraft Carriers in the Naval Sea Systems Command. As Deputy Program Manager, he was the lead civilian manager for our nation's 10 active nuclear powered aircraft carriers and the deactivation of the nation's first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise. He was the lead civilian supervising more than 65 personnel in Washington and 130 more at the Carrier Planning Activity in Newport News, Virginia, managing more than $12 billion in aircraft carrier related contracts. Mr. Papageorge received electrical engineering degrees from Norwalk State Technical College in 1978 and from the University of Missouri in 1981. In 1993, he received a Master of Engineering Administration Degree from Virginia Tech, and in 1999 he received a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Mr. Papageorge is an acquisition professional, certified to Level III in the Program Management and Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering career fields. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Mr. Papageorge for his tremendous service to his country and in wishing him all the best upon his retirement.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize E. Robert Chamberlin on the occasion of his retirement from SourceAmerica at the end of this year. Located in my district, SourceAmerica is a national non-profit that creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chamberlin leads a network of more than 500 affiliated non-profit agencies that participate in the AbilityOne Program, which currently provides employment to more than 128,000 people in the United States who are blind or have other significant disabilities. I, and more than 100 of my colleagues, are proud to partner in these efforts as AbilityOne Congressional Champions. Mr. Chamberlin joined SourceAmerica as Vice President of Operations in December 1999, following a career with the U.S. Armed Forces, and he was appointed CEO in January 2001. During his Navy career, he achieved the rank of Rear Admiral and held key positions afloat, overseas, and ashore. Later, as the Deputy Director of the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he served as the Department of Defense's representative on the AbilityOne Commission, the Federal agency which oversees the AbilityOne Program. Throughout his career, Mr. Chamberlin has been tireless in his efforts to improve the employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In addition to promoting the hundreds of thousands of individuals employed through the SourceAmerica network, Mr. Chamberlin has provided critical leadership on a number of new employment initiatives, including the establishment of the Institute for Economic Empowerment, the Pathways to Careers Employment Initiative, and the AbilityOne Design Challenge for assistive technology. In addition, he has helped to expand SourceAmerica's outreach to the private sector through new partnerships with large corporations and franchise organizations. Those efforts are particularly important for preserving work opportunities given the current constraints on federal agency budgets. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the distinguished military service and career accomplishments of Mr. E. Robert Chamberlin, and I want to personally commend him for his commitment to safeguarding the rights and opportunities for all Americans, especially those with significant disabilities.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, one of the last actions this chamber took before recessing for the Elections wasn't to act on Comprehensive Immigration Reform or pass a funding measure to avoid another Republican Government Shutdown. We didn't exercise Congress's constitutional role in debating issues of war and peace and take up an Authorization for Use of Military Force in response to the threat of ISIS. And we didn't address our nation's crumbling infrastructure by passing a long-term transportation bill. Sadly, just as they did then, the most anti-environmental House majority is once again engaging in science suppression and denial simply because they disagree with the findings and the responsible actions taken based on those findings to protect public health and preserve the environment. H.R. 4012, for example, is an attempt to tie the EPA's hands by restricting the information it can use in drafting safeguards. If passed, this bill would exclude a host of important data, including university research that is protected by privacy and confidentiality laws, as well as proprietary business information. Not to be outdone, H.R. 1422 would weaken the EPA's advisory process and make it easier for special interests to be appointed to and influence the Science Advisory Board. Do we really want to have the impartial analysis of our nation's leading experts replaced by big corporate interests? What could go wrong with that? Unfortunately, the public has grown accustomed to the House majority's repeated efforts to gut important environmental safeguards that protect public health. All told, my friends on the other side of the aisle have voted more than 200 times to block action to address climate change, to halt efforts to reduce air and water pollution, and to undermine protections for public lands, coastal areas, and the environment. The bills before us this week are more of the same. This know-nothing approach fails the public we are sworn to protect and serve. As elected officials, we have to recognize the valuable role science must play in making good public policy. Not anecdotes . . . not false narratives . . . science. I urge my colleagues to reject these bills, abandon this war on science, so that we can turn our attention to the pressing issues our country demands we address.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize E. Robert Chamberlin on the occasion of his retirement from SourceAmerica later this month. Located in my district, SourceAmerica is a national non-profit that creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chamberlin lead a network of more than 500 affiliated non-profit agencies that participate in the AbilityOne Program, which currently provides employment to more than 50,000 people in the United States who are blind or have other significant disabilities. I and more than 100 of my colleagues are proud to partner in these efforts as AbilityOne Congressional Champions. Mr. Chamberlin joined SourceAmerica as Vice President of Operations in December 1999, following a career with the U.S. armed forces, and he was appointed CEO in January 2001. During his Navy career, he achieved the rank of Rear Admiral and held key positions afloat, overseas, and ashore. Later as the Deputy Director of the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he served as the Department of Defense's representative on the AbilityOne Commission, the Federal agency which oversees the AbilityOne Program. Throughout his career, Mr. Chamberlin has been tireless in his efforts to improve the employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of individuals employed through the SourceAmerica netwolic, Mr. Chamberlin has provided critical leadership on a number of new employment initiatives, including the establishment of the Institute for Economic Empowerment, Pathways to Careers Internship Program, and the AbilityOne Design Challenge for assistive technology. In addition, he has helped to expand SourceAmerica's outreach to the private sector through new partnerships with large corporations and franchise organizations. Those efforts are particularly important for preserving work opportunities given the current constraints on federal agency budgets. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the distinguished military service and career accomplishments of Mr. E. Robert Chamberlin, and I want to personally commend him for his comment to safeguarding the rights and opportunities for all Americans.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 40th Pastoral Anniversary of Reverend Dr. Alfred Jones, Jr. of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Triangle, Virginia. Rev. Dr. Jones began service in the church at an early age under the tutelage of his parents, the Late Deaconess Isaline Jones and the Late Deacon Alfred Jones, Sr. Rev. Dr. Jones remained a faithful member of Mount Oni Baptist Church until he was called to the Gospel Ministry in 1963 at Ephesus Baptist Church located in West Point, Virginia. Four years later, Rev. Dr. Jones was called to worship at Third Mount Zion Baptist Church. In 1974, Mount Zion Baptist Church in Triangle, Virginia installed Rev. Dr. Jones as pastor to shepherd the 35 devout members of the congregation. Since his instillation, Rev. Dr. Jones has served an instrumental role in the growth of membership to over 2000 members and the development of five fundamental ministries: Evangelism, Inspired Arts, Christian Education, Discipleship Building and Family Life Principles. From these ministries, 37 subordinate ministries were established reaching into the lives of those beyond the church walls to provide financial support, clothing assistance, and food assistance to the global community. Rev. Dr. Jones' extensive education heavily influences his outlook on ministry where serving the Lord, family, and education remain his three priorities. Rev. Dr. Jones' education includes various institutions of higher learning including but are not limited to Washington Bible College, Washington Baptist Seminary, and Virginia Union University of Theology. In addition to his role as pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church for the past four decades, Rev. Dr. Jones has served as Chaplain for Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center located in Woodbridge, Virginia and Chaplain for the Prince William County Police Department where he continues to serve to this day. Under Rev. Dr. Jones' tireless leadership, Mount Zion Baptist Church continues to flourish and serve the community. Rev. Dr. Jones has cultivated a thriving ministry and continues the 138 year profound leadership tradition of the church. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the 40th Pastoral Anniversary of Reverend Dr. Alfred Jones, Jr. May Rev. Dr. Jones' leadership and faith continue to shepherd the members of Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 10th Achievement Week of the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The Chapter was chartered on Saturday, January 24, 2004 with dedication to support the local humanitarian activities of its 29 founding members. The Chapter includes the communities of Prince William County, the City of Manassas, the City of Manassas Park, and Stafford County. The 10th Anniversary of the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter coincides with the national organization's 103rd Anniversary, which will occur November 17, 2014. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was founded on the evening of Friday, November 17, 1911, by three Howard University undergraduate students, Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper, and Frank Coleman, with the assistance of their faculty adviser, Professor Ernest E. Just. Together they laid the foundation of an organization based on the core principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift. The fraternity name, Omega Psi Phi, was derived from the initials of the Greek phrase which translates to, ``Friendship Is Essential To The Soul.'' For more than a century, the membership has upheld a strong tradition of fellowship and civic engagement. Inspired by Carter G. Woodson at the 1920 Grand Conclave in Nashville, Tennessee, International Achievement Week is a mandated program of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. designed to promote the study of African American life and history. At this year's Annual Achievement Week Banquet, the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter honors the 2014 Achievement Week Award recipients. Men and women of the community are honored for their character and actions, as they support Omega Psi Phi's founding principles. I congratulate the following individuals and am pleased to enter their names in the Congressional Record: Citizen of the Year: Mr. Mike Futrell, State Delegate, 52nd District, Commonwealth of Virginia. Founders' Award: Brother Lee J. Bennett, Jr. Colonel Charles Young Award: Major (Brother) Shawn Langford. Superior Service Award: Brother Kenneth West. Omega Man of the Year: Brother Tony B. Bullock. Essay Contest Winners: 1st Place: Jourdan Boutte, Saint Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School. 2nd place: Desmound Gray, Forest Park High School. 3rd place: Kiara M. Walker, Patriot High School. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in conveying our appreciation for a decade of civic service by the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. It is organizations like the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter that define the character of our communities and give measure to our generosity of spirit.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I, along with my colleague Mr. Honda, rise today to commemorate the distinguished life of Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon, who passed away on September 24, 2014 at the age of 86. Ganga Singh Dhillon was born in the Sheikhupura area of West Punjab. He received his early education at Chak 19 and the Guru Nanak Khalsa High School Nanakana Sahib. He later joined the Sikh National College Lahore. This was a time of great political and religious turmoil throughout the Indian sub-continent. The region was on the verge of being divided, and the interests of the Sikh community were not being addressed. S. Dhillon became one of the foremost original leaders of the Sikh struggle. In 1947, he was arrested in Lahore along with several other students for promoting Khalistan, a Sikh nation. That same year, his father was shot and killed by the Pakistani army while trying to resolve an issue between the Sikhs and Muslims. Ganga Singh Dhillon then moved with his family to India where he was mentored by S. Joginder Singh Mann, an old family friend. While in India, S. Dhillon began his battle to preserve Sikh holy sites, especially the birthplace of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev, and to allow Sikh pilgrims the right to visit these sites. However, his cause was considered far too radical, and he was taken into custody and held in the Nabha jail for a year and a half. It would take fifty years for this battle to be won; in 1999 the President of Pakistan finally granted the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee the right to maintain Sikh shrines and began granting more visas so that Sikhs abroad can visit them. With the help of S. Mann, Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon moved to the United States in the 1960s where he continued his advocacy on behalf of Sikh concerns. S. Dhillon was committed to improving relationships and understanding between Sikhs and other cultures and religions. He discussed issues with patience, logic, and advocacy for peaceful solutions, even with his most bitter adversaries. In 1965, S. Dhillon founded the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hockey Tournament. The core mission of this tournament was to build friendship and stronger bonds through sport, and to develop better understanding and mutual respect for people of all countries, rich and poor, through competition and sportsmanship. This tournament is now one of the largest international hockey tournaments in the United States. In 1981, S. Dhillon returned to India to deliver a Presidential Address entitled ``Sikhs Are a Nation'' at the 54th All India Sikh Educational Conference. Reaction to his speech was overwhelmingly hostile, forcing him to leave India immediately. He was banned from ever travelling to India as a result. S. Dhillon was also a leader on other issues of importance to the international Sikh community. He along with others established the Nanakana Sahib Foundation, the purpose of which was to bridge the gap between Sikhs and their Pakistani Muslim brothers. This foundation is jointly funded and run by Muslim and Sikh private individuals, to support a library, a guest house, and hospital where free medical care is provided to the poor. Mr. Speaker, we ask that our colleagues join us in commemorating and celebrating the life of our friend, Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon and in expressing sincere condolences to his family. Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon rightfully belongs in a select group of very rare individuals who, through peaceful means, have truly changed the world. His efforts on behalf of the international Sikh community and the improvement of relationships between cultures will be his enduring legacy.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise to recognize my friend and colleague, Jim Moran, for a distinguished career in public service spanning four decades. Jim announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election to Congress, where he has spent the last 24 years as a formidable advocate for Northern Virginia and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. For anyone who knows him, Jim's passion for public service is apparent. He wears it on his sleeve like a badge of honor. Throughout his career, he has been a proponent for protecting the environment, a defender of the downtrodden, and a champion for commonsense, responsive government, even if that meant challenging his own party. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jim since his days serving on the Alexandria City Council, where he was first elected in 1979. He'd already amassed a respectable career in public service by that point, working for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Library of Congress, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. During Jim's tenure on the City Council, Alexandria was experiencing rapid growth along with the rest of Northern Virginia. He was elected Mayor in 1985 and re-elected to a second term. At the urging of his late friend, Mame Reiley, and others in the community, Jim decided to run for Congress in 1990. He challenged and defeated 5-term incumbent Republican Stan Parris--I know for some it might be inconceivable that a Republican ever represented the 8th District, but it just demonstrates how much the demographics of the district have shifted. Jim did not waste time making his mark on any number of local, national, and international issues. He quickly became a champion for consumers, working to prohibit state motor vehicle agencies from selling personal information to mail order companies and other organizations, and he worked in bipartisan fashion with our former colleagues Dan Burton and Ed Markey to pass legislation that allowed parents to better monitor and control the television viewing habits of their children. He was an early, outspoken critic of the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and has been a consistent advocate for LGBT rights. Jim was one of 67 members to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. Nearly 20 years later, he can feel a sense of vindication knowing Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed in 2011 and 30 states now recognize same-sex marriage, with more likely to join them as the courts continue to question the constitutionality of banning such marriages. Following one of the worst tragedies to befall our nation on 9/11, Jim was instrumental in the fight to restore air service, which had been temporarily suspended, at National Airport. He also helped lead the charge in questioning the legitimacy of the Bush administration's case in the build up to the war in Iraq, ultimately voting against the use of military force--something we continue to debate to this day as other conflicts in the Middle East have erupted. It was Jim who later introduced legislative language requiring regular reports to Congress on the Strategy for Success, including performance metrics which have since become benchmark standards. Through it all, Jim never lost sight of his local government roots. Early in his tenure, he helped secure passage of legislation requiring the CBO and other agencies to analyze and report on the fiscal impacts of federal legislation on state and local governments, capturing the unfunded mandates, something to which I wish more of our colleagues in Congress would pay greater attention. He also partnered with our former colleague Tom Davis, the Clinton administration, and former District of Columbia Mayor Tony Williams to advance D.C. Home Rule and reduce Congressional restrictions on the District. During my tenure on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, we worked closely with Jim and the rest of our Congressional delegation on the closure of the D.C.- operated Lorton Prison, and the eventual sale of the 3,000-acre former prison property to the County for use as parkland, public facilities, and limited economic development. Jim's fingerprints also are visible on most major transportation improvements across Northern Virginia in the last two decades. He worked with the regional delegation and leveraged his position on the Appropriations Committee to help secure the major federal commitment to help Virginia and Maryland replace the aging Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the only federally owned bridge in the nation. Later, Jim worked with Fairfax County and the Commonwealth to convince the Pentagon to help build a new road skirting the outer edge of Fort Belvoir after two popular commuter routes through the base were closed following 9/11. He also was instrumental in securing federal commitments to help the region absorb the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure movements, in which Fort Belvoir saw the largest net increase in military personnel. Richmond Highway provides the primary access point to the base, which has no transit connection, and Jim helped secure funding to widen the already clogged Route 1 to ensure the new workers and visitors to Belvoir could actually get there. In addition to those road improvements, Jim worked with the regional delegation to secure the long-term capital funding agreement with Metro, in which the federal government has committed to match the contributions from Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. And I was pleased to stand with Jim and our colleague Frank Wolf, who is also retiring after 34 years in Congress, at the recent ribbon cutting ceremony for Metro's new Silver Line. That one project has been more than 50 years in the making and will have a transformative effect on the National Capital Region, and Jim and Frank were among those who helped us finally push it over the finish line. From his days working at the Department of Health to his tenure as chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Jim has labored to make government work better for our constituents and our communities and to ensure we have competent and committed public workforce to advance our shared priorities. It is fitting that we use the occasion of the 8th Congressional District Democratic Committee's annual Kennedy-King Dinner, which honors the legacies of Sen. Robert Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to celebrate the tremendous record of accomplishment of Jim Moran. Like others in our generation, Jim stepped forward to accept the baton to carry on Bobby Kennedy and Dr. King's mission to promote a civil, just, and prosperous society. Mame Reiley, who we tragically lost earlier this year to breast cancer, was the impetus behind this annual gathering, and we rightfully take a moment to honor her legacy of service as well. Though she ran her own communications firm, Mame's true calling was as a political strategist. As noted earlier, she counseled Jim on his first run for Congress and went on to serve as his campaign manager and first Chief of Staff. She was elected to the Democratic National Committee from Virginia, chairing the Women's Caucus. She advised former Gov. Doug Wilder in his Presidential exploratory campaign and went on to serve in political advisory roles for Gov. Mark Warner and Gov. Tim Kaine. She also advised Jim's brother, Brian, in his bid for statewide office. There is no question Jim and Mame were a dynamic political duo, and their collective efforts have touched and improved lives throughout the community. In closing, let me just say that for me personally, Jim Moran is first and foremost, a dear friend. When I came to Congress as the junior member of the Northern Virginia delegation, Jim was there for me every step of the way. We've become true partners and have collaborated on hundreds of issues facing our region, and I hope to be able to continue calling on his counsel. I wish him and his family all the best as he begins this new chapter of his life, and I congratulate him on a meaningful legacy of service and accomplishment for which any of us in public life could be proud.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2014 MVLE Annual Award Recipients. MVLE is a not-for-profit corporation that provides employment opportunities and support services to individuals with disabilities. For 43 years, MVLE has partnered with commercial businesses as well as with government agencies and other not-for-profit organizations to allow the individuals it serves to live in dignity and as independently as possible. In the last year, MVLE assisted more than 600 individuals, and its workforce can be proud that it is making a positive difference in someone's life every day. Each year, MVLE honors individual participants, as well as business and community partners, who exemplify MVLE's ideals. I am pleased to enter the names of the 2014 award recipients into the Congressional Record. The President's Award is presented to individuals who have shown outstanding progress toward gaining independence and self-sufficiency through participation in employment and community services. The 2014 President's Award recipients are Alfred Dews, Celeste Whalen and Rachel O'Donnell. The Chairman's Award is presented to an outstanding business partner who has shown excellence in hiring practices, creating supportive work environments, and supporting the mission of MVLE. The 2014 Chairman's Award recipient is Embassy Suites Springfield. The hotel has employed Wounded Warriors, hosted Working Warrior Nation's First Annual Career Fair, launched an internship program for military veterans, supported MVLE's annual Golf Classic, and supplied volunteers for other MVLE activities. MVLE presents four Community Awards in honor of the four components of our community: Government, Employment, Social Responsibility, and Integration. The Government Champion Award recipient is SourceAmerica in recognition of its support of the AbilityOne program and its work to create jobs throughout government agencies for individuals with disabilities and military veterans. The Employment Partner Award recipient is Capitol Office Solutions in recognition of its partnership with Digital Stream, MVLE's document scanning business division, which pairs Capitol Office Solutions' software management with Digital Stream's document management services and creates more employment opportunities for MVLE's Individuals. Booz Allen Hamilton is the recipient of the Advocacy Champion Award in recognition of a decade-long partnership with MVLE. MVLE also honors Booz Allen's commitment to diversity in its workforce and promoting community integration for individuals with disabilities. Greenspring Village is being honored with the Social Responsibility Award in recognition of its continued support of MVLE and our local community. Greenspring has been a longtime employment partner with MVLE and also supports MVLE's annual golf tournament and volunteer activities. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending MVLE for it success in helping individuals with disabilities achieve independence and in congratulating the 2014 MVLE Annual Award recipients.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Reverend Ronald Winters and to congratulate him on his retirement following 49 years of pastoral service to the Northern Virginia Community. Rev. Winters is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in June 1950. He served honorably in the United States Navy and then attended Bishop College in Marshall, Texas. In 1969, Rev. Winters received the Bachelor of Theology and Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees from Baltimore College of Bible and Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. Reverend Winters was licensed to the Gospel Ministry by First Baptist Church of North Indianapolis, Indiana in 1954 and ordained to the work of the Gospel Ministry by Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of Rockville, Maryland in 1965. He served as Pastor of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Herndon, Virginia from 1965 to 1972, Shiloh Baptist Church in McLean, Virginia from 1973 to 1987, and Peace Baptist Church in Dunn Loring, Virginia from 1988 to 1993. In 1994, Reverend Winters organized the Resurrection Baptist Church of Reston, Virginia where he has served as Pastor for the past nineteen years. Rev. Winters has also been involved in numerous religious and community service organizations. He is the former First Vice Moderator of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association; member of the Board of Directors of One Church One Child of Virginia; Life Member and Past President of the Fairfax County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and member of the Board of Directors of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. He is the past President of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Northern Virginia and a previous Board member of Food for Others in Northern Virginia. Reverend Winters' professional experience as a United States Senate Staff member included Special Assistant for Minority Affairs for Senator Vance Hartke (1960-1973); Assistant Chief Clerk for the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (1973-1975); Special Assistant to Senator Harrison A. Williams (1975-1982); and Special Assistant to Senator Nicholas F. Brady (1982-1983). In 1970, he offered the convening prayer in the chamber of the United States Senate and in 1968 his ``Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'' was published in the Congressional Record. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Rev. Winters for his service to the church, his community, and our country and in congratulating him on his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Arts Council of Fairfax County and the recipients of the 2014 Arts Awards. These awards recognize the extraordinary contributions of artists and arts organizations, as well as individuals and businesses in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church that support the arts in our community. Founded in 1964, the Arts Council of Fairfax County, Inc. is a non- profit organization designated as Fairfax County's local arts agency. The Arts Council operates programs and initiatives that include grants, arts advocacy, education, and professional development opportunities for artists and arts organizations. In FY14, the Arts Council awarded over $500,000 in County, public, and private funds through competitive grants and awards to arts organizations and individual artists. These grants helped to fund approximately 13,000 performances and 2,600 arts programs which were attended by more than 1 million people. In addition, The Arts Council of Fairfax County has been a strong supporter and sponsor of the 11th Congressional District High School Arts Competition and has been instrumental in making this program one of the most successful in the nation. The Arts Awards honor supporters of the arts in four categories: the Jinx Hazel Arts Award, the Arts Impact Award, the Arts Education Award, and the Arts Philanthropy Award. It is my honor to enter the following names of the 2014 Arts Awards Recipients into the Congressional Record: The 2014 Jinx Hazel Arts Award will be presented to Bill Reeder and Richard Kamenitzer of George Mason University. Together they have built one of the nation's most respected higher education programs for the arts and arts management, training hundreds of artists and arts administrators, helping young professionals create new arts programs, and sustaining local arts organizations in Fairfax communities. The 2014 Arts Impact Award will be presented to the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE). Over the past 40 years, GRACE has enriched the Reston community with art exhibitions, arts education programs, and the annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, which has become one of the region's largest arts festivals with tens of thousands of attendees. Since its inception in 1974, GRACE has mounted more than 250 exhibitions, presenting the work of local, regional, and national artists. The 2014 Arts Education Award will be presented to Cappies of the National Capital Area (Cappies NCA) for its innovation and impact in arts education. Cappies--the Critics and Awards Program--engages high school students in a comprehensive theatre education program. Each year, Cappies NCA involves approximately 3,200 students from 56 schools as theatrical performers, production managers and technicians, and critics. Since its inception in 1999, thousands of high school students have experienced the breadth and depth of the theatre, with many becoming actors, theatre professionals, arts educators, and journalists. The 2014 Arts Philanthropy Award will be presented to Pat and Steve Macintyre for their outstanding support of initiatives that strengthen the arts in Herndon and Reston. Through their generosity over the past three decades the Macintyres have founded or supported organizations including the Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts, Council for the Arts of Herndon, League of Reston Artists, Initiative for Public Art-- Reston, Herndon's Art in Public Places initiative, and Technology and the Arts scholarships. Additionally, Pat has served on the boards of many of these organizations. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of the 2014 Arts Awards and in recognizing and thanking the visionaries, leaders, and supporters who help to make our Northern Virginia communities rich with cultural opportunities.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 2014 recipients of the Northern Virginia Leadership Awards presented by Leadership Fairfax. Leadership Fairfax is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to finding, training, and growing leaders in Northern Virginia. The mission of Leadership Fairfax is to educate, prepare, inspire, and connect leaders to serve and strengthen our community. Graduates from its programs become part of a fast-growing network of civic leaders. I've always said, ``When you walk into a crowded room, it's easy to spot the graduates of Leadership Fairfax--they just stand out!'' Leadership Fairfax alumni and the general public submitted nominations for the 18th annual Northern Virginia Leadership Award, and a panel of community and business leaders made the final selections. It is my honor to enter the following names of the 2014 Northern Virginia Leadership Awards recipients into the Congressional Record. The recipient of the 2014 Regional Leadership Award is Mary Agee, LFI '91, President and CEO of Northern Virginia Family Service, in recognition of her three decades of work to transform the lives of thousands of families in Northern Virginia, her influence on public policy in the region and the Commonwealth, and her service on the boards of directors of a wide variety of human services organizations. Steve Gladis, PhD, CEO of Steve Gladis Leadership Partners is the recipient of the Trustee Leadership Award in recognition of his long- standing commitment to civic, academic, and philanthropic leadership and for inspiring others through his role as team builder, coach, and mentor. As an author, professor an organizer, Steve has developed and inspired a new generation of philanthropists and has been among the most visible proponents of development and fundraising in the public and private sectors. The Non-Profit Leadership Organizational Award is being presented to Homestretch and its Executive Director, Christopher Fay, LFI '12, in honor of Homestretch's commitment to providing comprehensive services to address every aspect of a homeless family's situation. Homestretch engages business, non-profits, and volunteers in the transition of families to self-sufficiency and success. The Non-Profit Leadership Individual Award is being presented to Rosemary Tran Lauer, LFI '11, for establishing Devotion To Children, a charitable organization committed to providing access to high-quality educational and childcare programs for young children from economically disadvantaged families. Since 1994, Rosemary has worked collaboratively with volunteers and partner organizations to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families. The Corporate Leadership Award is being presented to Tim Sargeant, Dominion Resources, LFI '03, in recognition of his outstanding corporate citizenship through his representation of Dominion Resources, and his active role in the community. Tim serves on the Fairfax County Planning Commission, the Board of Visitors of Gunston Hall, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Foundation Board, the Northern Virginia Community College Foundation Board, the Board of Leadership Fairfax, Inc., and several area Chambers of Commerce. The Educational Leadership Award is being presented to Jim Holcombe and Gloria Rubin, from J.E.B. Stuart High School, in recognition of their leadership of the Interact Club and partnership with the community. Each year Jim and Gloria engage 70-100 students from a socio- and economically diverse school and provide them the opportunity to become civic leaders, participate in community service and training sessions, and receive support and scholarship opportunities for college applications. Mr. Speaker, the contributions of these individuals and organizations are one of the reasons why Fairfax is such a sought after community in which to live and work, and this year's honorees highlight the legacy of Leadership Fairfax in preparing our community's future leaders to address the challenges we face. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these honorees and thanking them for their service to Northern Virginia.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority on the ground breaking for the new Jean R. Packard Occoquan Center. Work on this multi-purpose facility will kick-off of a major rejuvenation effort throughout Occoquan Regional Park, which sits in Fairfax County just across the Occoquan River from the Town of Occoquan in Prince William County. The 400 acre park is popular with families, boaters, and fisherman with its easy access to the river, athletic fields, picnic areas, and connections to multiple regional trails, including the Gerald E. Connolly Cross County Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The modernization of this regional park will feature a new entrance with greater roadside visibility, a loop trail traversing the entire park, a landscaped waterfront plaza, and other infrastructure improvements. A new focal point of the park will be the Jean R. Packard Center, named in honor of my good friend and mentor. Jean recently retired from the Regional Park Board after 24 years of dedicated service. It is difficult to overstate the tremendous environmental legacy Jean has cultivated here in Northern Virginia. A veteran of the Women's Army Corps during World War II, Jean moved to Fairfax in 1951 and got her start in public service much the same way I did as president of her neighborhood civic association. Thus began five decades of civic engagement, particularly focused on environmental stewardship and protection. She was the first woman elected as chairman the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1972 and was an unabashed environmentalist before it became trendy. During my 14 years on the County Board starting in 1995, Jean was a member of my trusted kitchen cabinet and helped shape our award-winning environmental agenda. After her tenure on the Board of Supervisors, Jean became the first woman elected to the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors. Though not continuous, she has served on the Board multiple times over the past 40 years, and she is in the midst of her most recent term at the age of 91! She was a founding member of the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, which recently renamed its lifetime achievement award in Jean's honor, and she has served on the national board of the Sierra Club. She has been recognized as Fairfax County's Citizen of the Year and Fairfax County Conservationist of the Year. I was proud to present Jean with the Fairfax County Park Authority's Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award, which is named in memory of our dear friend and fellow community leader. Fittingly, the new center that will bear Jean's name will include a robust educational component on our local history and the environment. It will tie in with the nearby Suffragist memorial within the park, and it will feature an interpretive collection showcasing the native flora and fauna of Northern Virginia at the time of John Smith's historic expedition in 1608. From its perch overlooking the river, the Jean R. Packard Center will put on full display the beauty of our local parks and demonstrate the value of protecting environmental treasures like the Occoquan for future generations. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority for undertaking this grand park renewal and for its stewardship of its many other properties throughout the region, and I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the immeasurable contributions of Jean Packard a true environmental champion, who has dedicated her life to protecting and improving the natural resources that make our community such a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the distinguished life of Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon, who passed away on September 24, 2014 at the age of 86. Ganga Singh Dhillon was born in the Sheikhupura area of West Punjab. He received his early education at Chak 19 and the Guru Nanak Khalsa High School Nanakana Sahib. He later joined the Sikh National College Lahore. This was a time of great political and religious turmoil throughout the Indian sub-continent. The region was on the verge of being divided, and the interests of the Sikh community were not being addressed. S. Dhillon became one of the foremost original leaders of the Sikh struggle. In 1947 he was arrested in Lahore along with several other students for promoting Khalistan, a Sikh nation. That same year, his father was shot and killed by the Pakistani army while trying to resolve an issue between the Sikhs and Muslims. Ganga Singh Dhillon then moved with his family to India where he was mentored by S. Joginder Singh Mann, an old family friend. While in India, S. Dhillon began his battle to preserve Sikh holy sites, especially the birthplace of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev, and to allow Sikh pilgrims the right to visit these sites. However, his cause was considered far too radical, and he was taken into custody and held in the Nabha jail for a year and a half. It would take fifty years for this battle to be won; in 1999 the President of Pakistan finally granted the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee the right to maintain Sikh shrines and began granting more visas so that Sikhs abroad can visit them. With the help of S. Mann, Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon moved to the United States in the 1960s where he continued his advocacy on behalf of Sikh concerns. S. Dhillon was committed to improving relationships and understanding between Sikhs and other cultures and religions. He discussed issues with patience, logic, and advocacy for peaceful solutions, even with his most bitter adversaries. In 1965, S. Dhillon founded the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hockey Tournament. The core mission of this tournament was to build friendship and stronger bonds through sport, and to develop better understanding and mutual respect for people of all countries, rich and poor, through competition and sportsmanship. This tournament is now one of the largest international hockey tournaments in the United States. In 1981, S. Dhillon returned to India to deliver a Presidential Address entitled ``Sikhs Are a Nation'' at the 54th All India Sikh Educational Conference. Reaction to his speech was overwhelmingly hostile, forcing him to leave India immediately. He was banned from ever travelling to India as a result. S. Dhillon was also a leader on other issues of importance to the international Sikh community. He along with others established the Nanakana Sahib Foundation, the purpose of which was to bridge the gap between Sikhs and their Pakistani Muslim brothers. This foundation is jointly funded and run by Muslim and Sikh private individuals, and houses a library, a guest house, and hospital where free medical care is provided to the poor. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating and celebrating the life of my friend, Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon and in expressing sincere condolences to his family. Sadar Ganga Singh Dhillon rightfully belongs in a select group of very rare individuals who, through peaceful means, have truly changed the world. His efforts on behalf of the international Sikh community and in improvement of relationships between cultures will leave a lasting legacy.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate my constituent, Ms. Alice Lippert of Fairfax, Virginia, on being selected as a 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal finalist in the homeland security and law enforcement category. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service presents the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals annually to pay tribute to America's dedicated civil servants. These prestigious medals honor and celebrate an esteemed group of Federal employees that have achieved significant accomplishments in the course of serving their country. Honorees are public servants who represent a broad and diverse array of disciplines and career fields. All nominees exemplify the ideal Federal employee with respect to their strong commitment to mission, and the creativity and spirit of innovation each brings to his or her respective agency. Ms. Lippert is one of three United States Department of Energy officials who are being recognized for their significant contributions to the development of the groundbreaking data visual platform, known as EAGLE-I. EAGLE-I is our Nation's first-ever system that can gather and share real-time emergency situation information on power and natural gas infrastructure. As one disaster program manager at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers noted, before EAGLE-I, ``It was difficult to get a clear picture of what was going on. Now we rely on the DOE as the authoritative source.'' According to the Partnership for Public Service, Ms. Lippert, a senior technical advisor in the Department of Energy's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, was instrumental in recognizing that our country's inability to collect and access real- time data on energy infrastructure during an emergency represented a critical vulnerability that hampered the Federal Government's ability to effectively coordinate the response to major natural disasters, such as the destructive Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Ms. Lippert was not satisfied with the status quo emergency response system, which was antiquated and cumbersome in requiring Department personnel to directly contact energy companies to obtain data that would have to be manually entered into a data base. This process could take hours and did not provide Federal, State, and local first- responders with the real-time data they needed to gain situational awareness of a locality's battered power and natural gas infrastructure. Ms. Lippert took the initiative by contacting two colleagues with subject matter expertise in advanced grid modeling and computer programming. Together, these civil servants worked in-house to build EAGLE-I, which now covers 75 percent of all U.S. electricity customers. However, it was not until October 2012 that EAGLE-I was put to the test, and the true value of Ms. Lippert's leadership and hard work was realized. In the aftermath of the damaging Hurricane Sandy, our Nation's first-responders and emergency managers had access to regular updates on the grid status in the hard hit areas, enabling decisions to be guided by accurate and up-to-date data and information. As the Department's Assistant Secretary for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability noted, ``These reports were critical to decisions by federal, state and local officials in responding to and recovering from the catastrophe. The power outage reports gave insight to senior DOE leadership and responders that allowed them to make informed decisions, reducing both the human and economic impacts associated with the storm.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our highest praise and congratulations to Ms. Alice Lippert on being selected as a finalist for the 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Medal. It has been my great privilege and honor to represent Ms. Lippert and the tens of thousands of exceptional Federal workers who hail from Virginia's 11th Congressional District. They all deserve our deep gratitude and respect.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 25th Anniversary of the Good Shepherd Housing Foundation. For the past quarter century, the Foundation has provided low-cost housing to the homeless and those on the brink of homelessness in Prince William County. Good Shepherd Housing Foundation was established in 1989 when the need for housing for the mentally ill became apparent. The first group home, ``Shepherd House I,'' opened in 1989 with a $1,500 donation from co-founders, Horace and Virginia Baker. As the parents of an adult child with mental health issues, the Bakers knew firsthand the challenges in finding safe housing options that would allow their son to live as independently as possible while receiving the care he needed. Mr. and Mrs. Baker, along with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, worked closely with the Prince William County Community Services Board to establish the bedrock of a stable and lasting program. In its beginning, the Foundation provided housing for five single adults. Since its inception, Good Shepherd Housing Foundation has grown substantially in both clientele and breadth of mission. Now in 25th year, the Foundation provides housing and supportive services for 77 single adults and 45 families in 70 households throughout Prince William. Assistance is extended to those with chronic low income and mental or physical disabilities. The organization is sustained by the efforts and donations of individuals, businesses, and churches, and it receives assistance from local, state, and federal funding. The Shepherd Homes Program offers group living and single adult housing options to mentally-ill individuals. Shepherd Homes I, II, and III are properties owned by the Foundation that function as group homes. The Foundation also provides eight apartments, one townhouse, and one affordable rental house maintained by the Foundation offering the mentally ill, some of whom are veterans, relief from chronic homelessness. Beyond housing assistance, the Foundation offers services that put residents on a path to financial and psychological stability. Over the years, the Foundation has expanded its mission providing a broader scope of resources to the community to aid in providing housing to individuals and families who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. The Foundation offers a holistic program approach aimed not only at providing housing but also teaching program participants the importance of education and financial management. Programs and services include the Affordable Rentals Program, Shepherd Homes, Shepherd Leasing, and a two-year Transitional Housing Partnership. Tutoring and child-care services are also available for the children. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the work of Good Shepherd Housing Foundation in Prince William and in congratulating it on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The Foundation exists thanks to the dedication and generosity of its board, staff, volunteers, and many community supporters, and it is another example of what makes Prince William such a wonderful place to live.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the honorees of the 2014 Elly Doyle Park Service Award, the Elly Doyle Special Recognition Award, the Eakin Philanthropy Award, the Mayo Stuntz Cultural Stewardship Award, the Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award as well as the 2014 Student Honoree. These awards, sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Authority Board in cooperation with the Fairfax County Park Foundation Board, recognize individuals and organizations for their extraordinary contributions to our environment and public park system. Fairfax County is regarded as one of the best places in the country in which to live, work, and raise a family, and our nationally- recognized park system has played a key role in that distinction. Our community has a strong commitment to promoting and preserving our environment, including our public parks and outdoor spaces. Each year thousands of volunteers donate their talents and time to protect our natural and cultural resources and enhance public educational and recreational services. The Elly Doyle Service Awards were established in 1988 in honor of former board member Ellamae Doyle's many years of outstanding service. In addition, recipients also have been selected for the 2014 Eakin Philanthropy Award, named in honor of the family that donated the first parcels of parkland to the Park Authority more than 50 years ago, the Mayo Stuntz Cultural Stewardship, named in honor of a celebrated local historian and military veteran, and the 2014 Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award, named in honor of a local champion of environmental education and protection. I congratulate each of the following recipients of these prestigious awards and proudly enter their names into the Congressional Record: 2014 Elly Doyle Park Service Award Recipients: James ``Curly'' Anderko, Bob Dinse, Alan Figgatt. Elly Doyle Special Recognition: Mona Enquist-Johnston, John Eltzroth, Fairfax County Farmers Markets Market Masters, Donn Grover, REI. Student Honoree: Matthew Baker.Eakin Philanthropy Award Recipients: Mike Rolband, Transurban--Fluor. Mayo Stuntz Cultural Stewardship Award: Bob Lundegard. Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award Recipient: Diane Hoffman. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating and thanking these honorees for their demonstrated commitment to our open spaces and public parks. Fairfax County is able to enjoy a high quality of life because of the efforts of these individuals and they are deserving of our praise and appreciation.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate my constituent, Mr. Sonny Hashmi of Oakton, Virginia for being selected as a 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal finalist in the management excellence category. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service presents the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals annually to pay tribute to America's dedicated civil servants. These prestigious medals honor and celebrate an esteemed group of Federal employees that have achieved significant accomplishments in the course of serving their country. Honorees are public servants who represent a broad and diverse array of disciplines and career fields. All nominees exemplify the ideal Federal employee with respect to their strong commitment to mission, and the creativity and spirit of innovation each brings to his or her respective agency. Mr. Hashmi serves as the Chief Information Officer for the United States General Services Administration, or GSA. In this role, Mr. Hashmi is responsible for managing GSA's $600 million information technology budget and ensuring that GSA's IT initiatives effectively align with the agency's strategic goals and government-wide leadership responsibilities in key areas, such as information security and enterprise architecture efforts. According to the Partnership for Public Service, Mr. Hashmi was instrumental in launching GSA's groundbreaking ``Drive to the Cloud'' initiative. This program enabled GSA to lead by example in becoming the first agency to transition its email services to a cloud-based platform, along with its collaboration and documents management tools. It is projected that these two migrations from legacy systems to cloud- based platforms will result in $15 million in savings for the agency by 2016. Under Mr. Hashmi's visionary leadership, GSA has also worked to ensure its lesson learned and best practices permeate across the Federal Government, and it is a testament to Mr. Hashmi's success that each year, additional agencies follow GSA's blueprint and guidance in moving to embrace shared services and innovative cloud-based solutions. Mr. Hashmi represents precisely the type of Federal Chief Information Officer our government desperately needs more of. I fully concur with GSA Administrator Daniel Tangherlini's recent observation that, ``Sonny not only fixes problems, but also provides newer and better solutions. He is a leader in the best sense. He is all about the outcome and builds a team that shares that desire.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our highest praise and congratulations to Mr. Sonny Hashmi for being selected as a finalist for the 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Management Excellence Medal. Mr. Hashmi and his fellow nominees all boast impressive accomplishments, from working to eradicate polio in India to landing an exploratory vehicle on Mars to saving the Air Force more than $1 billion in 2012 by reducing energy consumption. It has been my great privilege and honor to represent Mr. Hashmi and the tens of thousands of exceptional Federal workers who hail from Virginia's 11th Congressional District. Each one deserves our gratitude and respect.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate my constituent, Dr. Scott Gerald Borg of Fairfax Virginia, for being selected as a 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal finalist in the career achievement category. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service presents the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals annually to pay tribute to America's dedicated civil servants. These prestigious medals honor and celebrate an esteemed group of Federal employees that have achieved significant accomplishments in the course of serving their country. Honorees are public servants who represent a broad and diverse array of disciplines and career fields. All nominees exemplify the ideal Federal employee with respect to their strong commitment to mission, and the creativity and spirit of innovation each brings to his or her respective agency. Dr. Borg serves as the Head of the Section for Antarctic Sciences within the National Science Foundation's Division of Polar Programs. According to the Partnership for Public Service, under Dr. Borg's direction, the National Science Foundation's Antarctic research program has become one of the most esteemed and comprehensive on the continent. Today, Dr. Borg plays a critical role in guiding the U.S. Antarctic science program that supports cutting-edge research across a range of topics, including climate change, the origins and nature of the universe, and the discovery of new species of extinct dinosaurs. The work being facilitated by Dr. Borg and his colleagues is truly groundbreaking research. For example, Dr. Borg's leadership is credited with overcoming numerous technical and logistical challenges that enabled the National Science Foundation to complete the West Antarctic Ice Sheet drilling project, which extracted ice core that dates back 68,000 years and represents the highest-resolution record of climate obtained to date. Further, Dr. Borg also oversaw the development of clean drilling technology that retrieved the first-ever pure water samples from an Antarctic lake a half mile below the surface of ice sheet. These samples are estimated to have been sealed under the ice for approximately 15 million years, and may enable researchers to understand what types of life can survive on other worlds. Being named a finalist by the Partnership for Public Service is just the latest honor in Dr. Borg's outstanding and celebrated career that has made tremendous contributions to the global research community and elevated the prestige of Federal scientific research over the past two decades. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our highest praise and congratulations to Dr. Scott Gerald Borg for being selected as a finalist for the 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Career Achievement Medal. Dr. Borg and his fellow nominees all boast impressive accomplishments, from working to eradicate polio in India to landing an exploratory vehicle on Mars to saving the Air Force more than $1 billion in 2012 by reducing energy consumption. It has been my great privilege and honor to represent Dr. Borg and the tens of thousands of exceptional Federal workers who hail from Virginia's 11th Congressional District. They all deserve our thanks and respect.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department and to congratulate the 2014 award recipients and incoming 2015 officers and board members. The Annandale Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is one of 12 volunteer fire departments in Fairfax County, and since its founding in 1940, it has provided lifesaving, fire suppression/prevention, and emergency medical/rescue services to the residents of the Annandale area and the surrounding community. The AVFD owns two stations, Station 8 on Columbia Pike and Station 23 on Little River Turnpike, and its front line fleet includes two ambulances, a medic, two engines, and one canteen unit. The Department also provides opportunities for professional growth and development of the membership. The most valuable assets of the AVFD are the volunteers who donate their time and resources in service to our community. Last year alone, these highly skilled and committed volunteers contributed in excess of 15,000 hours responding to emergency incidents, attending training, and fundraising. Each year the AVFD recognizes those volunteers who have excelled in service and commitment, and it is my honor to enter the following names of the 2014 Annandale Volunteer Fire Department award recipients into the Congressional Record: Outstanding Service Award (4 recipients): Kathleen Hinman, Richard Mitchell, Jason Pavelko, William `Bill' Richmond. Highest Administrative Hours Award: Shirley Binsky. Admin Member of the Year: Walter Ferrebee and Diana Phan. Rookie Members of the Year (two recipients): Nicole Dellinger and Kelly Kardos. Most Training Hours: Yuan Yao. Most Riding Hours: Chessy Dintruff. Support Member of the Year: Fran Carfaro. President's Award: Anthony `Tony' Ruth. Chief's Award: Laura Dye. EMS Provider of the Year: Sean Bhatty and James Tuttle. Firefighter of the Year: Robert Melgar. Additionally, I wish to congratulate and thank the following men and women who have agreed to assume additional responsibilities as officers and board members for 2015: Chief: Roger Waller. President: Gary Moore. Vice President: Sean Bhatty. Treasurer: Ronald Waller. Secretary: Diana Phan. Directors: Shirley Binsky, Michael Hassan, and Peter Snitzer. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 2014 award recipients and in commending the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department for 74 years of service. I thank the brave volunteers whose dedication to public safety is deserving of our highest praise, and to each of these men and women I say: ``Stay safe.''

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Stroke Comeback Center on the occasion of its 10th anniversary and the critical health care services that it provides to stroke survivors and their families in our community. The SCC is a non-profit founded by Darlene Williamson and John Phillips in 2004 to create a community in which stroke survivors and their families could receive proper long-term treatment. Meaningful care for stroke survivors is limited in the United States, and the SCC is one of less than ten such facilities. The mission of the SCC has been to pick up where traditional health care coverage misguidedly leaves off by providing affordable speech and language services to stroke survivors in a supportive and participating environment. No patient is ever turned away because they can't afford the cost. The current situation of stroke coverage and care is in desperate need of reform. It is common misconception that recovery is quick and easy when in reality stroke survivors require comprehensive rehabilitation for a protracted period of time to fully regenerate their cognitive and physical abilities. Yes insurance coverage for such care, if provided at all, runs out within 3-12 months, and the Medicare therapy cap for speech and physical therapy falls well short of covering the true costs. There is an estimated direct and indirect cost of about $73.7 billion. However, it is impossible to measure the emotional, physical, and financial burden a stroke puts on a survivor and their family. Today, the SCC operates with about 100 individuals served in 40 groups weekly, growing from just five groups in 2005. More than a dozen committed volunteers contribute more than 3,000 hours annually. The SCC works closely with national, state, and local stroke-related organizations and receives referrals from all of the major hospital centers in the metropolitan area. Ninety-three percent of survivors report improvement in one or more areas of speaking, listening, writing or reading. On average, survivors report that they are now three times more confident in their social interactions allowing them to reestablish their role in their family and the community. The success of the SCC is due in part to their undiminished and comprehensive programs. Its life participation, group-based approach helps patients achieve their maximum potential. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the contributions and achievements of the Stroke Comeback Center and its dedicated staff and volunteers over the past 10 years. The services and programs offered by the SCC fill a void in the rehabilitation process and significantly improve the quality of lives of stroke survivors and their families.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 23rd Anniversary of Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William. Founded in 1991 by local librarian Dona Swanson to help teach a library patron to read, Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William has maintained its direct service approach, by providing individualized adult literacy tutoring based on the personal needs and goals of adult learners. LVA-PW understands that literacy is a critical skill which can open the doors to educational and employment opportunities. As a literature major in college, I cannot agree more. LVA-PW's programs are well-researched and constantly tracked and evaluated by staff to ensure their effectiveness. This has proven to be a highly successful model: in 2014, LVA-PW served 667 adult learners who received a total of 14,000 hours of instruction from 212 trained volunteer tutors. Many of these participants learned to read and write thereby enabling them to become full participants in our communities and, in many cases, to earn their GEDs and achieve employment. Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William has established itself as an institution in the community, fostering local partnerships to strengthen both their own services and those of other community groups, including the Prince William County Library System, the Virginia Employment Center, Northern Virginia Community College, the Prince William County Adult Education Program, and local businesses through workplace literacy programs. LVA-PW has been recognized as Community Service Organization of the Year by the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Organization of the Quarter by Prince William County, and Friday's Hero by the local Channel 9 News. Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William is a model to be emulated. Each year the Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William recognizes individuals for their commitment as students, tutors, or volunteers. I am pleased to enter the following names of the 2014 honorees into the Congressional Record: Students of the Year--Rut Amdemskal and Iftikhar Haq Tutors of the Year--Davine Irving and Linda Mazzucchi Volunteer of the Year--Ernestine Jenkins Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Literacy Volunteers of America--Prince William on the occasion of its 23rd Anniversary and in thanking the volunteers, sponsors, staff, and community partners for their efforts in support of this worthwhile organization. I also commend Vicki Gross for her many contributions to LVA-PW while serving as Executive Director.

Mr. CONNOLLY

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, later today we are likely to see bipartisan support for an amendment to authorize the Secretaries of Defense and State to provide limited assistance to properly vetted factions within the Syrian opposition as part of the broader effort to ``degrade, and ultimately destroy'' the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The President specifically asked Congress to provide these authorities, and I somewhat reluctantly will agree to support it. But I want to add a caution, that this action should not be interpreted as granting congressional authorization for the broader use of military force to combat the growing threat posed by ISIL. Quite the contrary, the amendment specifically prohibits the introduction of U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities absent such explicit authorization. Now, the President asserts he already has the authority to confront ISIL. In his most recent notification to Congress, he cites the executive's constitutional authority ``to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief . . .'' While this issue has been the subject of long-simmering debate between our branches and among historians and scholars, I would modestly note that the Constitution explicitly grants to Congress, and only to Congress, the power to declare war. If there are inherent unenumerated powers in the role of Commander in Chief, most surely logic dictates there are similar inherent, unenumerated powers Congress is vested in with our role to declare war. Let us make no mistake, we are confronting here on this issue a matter of war and peace. Yet, in the same breath we are discussing the danger, we are preparing to shutter Congress for another 7 weeks until after the election. The President said he welcomes congressional support for this effort to show the world we are ``united in confronting this danger.'' I am glad he welcomes congressional input, but I, for one, believe the President actually needs specific congressional authority, whether he wants it or not, for what he himself acknowledges will be a prolonged campaign to eradicate the cancer-like ISIL. Anything short of that is an abrogation of our sworn duty to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States. This isn't President Obama trampling on the Constitution. This is Congress, in a long 60-year history, of winking and blinking about our responsibility because we don't want to bear it. But on matters of war and peace, we either live up to our constitutional responsibility, which is quite clear, or we go on a 7-week recess. My colleagues know there are historical cases in which congressional acquiescence has been construed to confer support or authorization where none has been given. The Gulf of Tonkin resolution is certainly a case in point. It led to a prolonged war and 55,000 U.S. deaths. The 93rd Congress adopted the War Powers Resolution to reassert Congress' role after both Korea and Vietnam. The War Powers Resolution requires the President to consult with Congress prior to introducing American forces into hostilities. The administration has recently argued that the aerial strikes do not constitute hostilities because they don't involve sustained fighting. But again, out of the President's own words, he said last week this would be ``a comprehensive and sustained effort.'' That doesn't sound like a temporary action by the Commander in Chief. And to put an even finer point on the issue, I remind my colleagues of H. Con. Res. 105, which was adopted in July, that prohibits the President from deploying or maintaining U.S. Armed Forces in a sustained combat role in Iraq without specific statutory authorization. I agree with the President when he said we are strongest as a Nation when the President and Congress work together. On the most important issue we ever vote on, war and peace, we must come together, and this branch must live up to its constitutional responsibility at long last.