Barbara Comstock

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to honor the life of Mrs. Gertrude ``Gertie'' Mae Smith Fletcher of Ashburn, Virginia. Throughout her life, Mrs. Fletcher was a respected leader in the community as she and her husband Charlie were founding members of Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Her dedicated service has kept the people of the Ashburn community safe for over 60 years. One morning in 1947, Gertrude was busy preparing for an event at the fire station when an alarm was dispatched. Her brother-in-law, Carly Fletcher, was the only fireman that responded to answer the call that morning. Realizing that he may need help in this situation, Carly called for Mrs. Fletcher to get in the truck with him and promptly deputized her as a volunteer firefighter. Ever since that day, Mrs. Fletcher supported the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department through her service as an officer of the Ladies Auxiliary. Her selfless legacy will forever be a part of both organizations. Always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor in need, Gertie was an irreplaceable pillar of our community. Mrs. Fletcher was active in all phases of community life in Ashburn, from her leadership at the Calvary Baptist Church to her role in forming the Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Center. She always worked tirelessly to better her community. Mrs. Fletcher is survived by her son, Tom Fletcher, two grandchildren, Brian and Catherine, and two great-grandchildren, Taryn and Brock and a sister, Aileen. She will be missed by the countless lives she has touched over her years of public service. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life of, and bidding farewell to, Gertrude Mae Smith Fletcher. May she rest in peace, and her family be comforted.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge one of my constituents, Maxine Prather, who turned 99 years old on September the 19th. Mrs. Prather's life has been a truly American story. Born in 1917, Maxine lived through some of the most uncertain times in American history during which she not only endured, but flourished. Maxine Prather, affectionately called Gigi by her grandkids, worked as a secretary for many years. She was a devoted wife to her husband who was a Methodist Minister. Through the years, the family travelled the country to preach the scripture. It was through these travels that Maxine developed an interest in collecting beautiful china for her home. To this day Maxine Prather still enjoys entertaining guests, shopping and visiting the great museums our nation has to offer every chance she gets. Mr. Speaker, this is a woman of extreme courage and fortitude, whose life story serves as an inspiration to all. She has spent nearly her entire life in service to others and her selflessness should be acknowledged for all to witness. I would ask my fellow members to stand with me and applaud Mrs. Maxine Prather and wish her well.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember my constituent Carolyn ``Su'' Allen Saunders Webb from Loudoun County, Virginia. Mrs. Webb was well known throughout the community for her passion and dedication to park conservation. She was an individual committed to protecting the landmarks that make up Virginia's beautiful and historic Loudoun County. Mrs. Webb earned recognition through her preservation efforts on the Piedmont Environmental Council, Aldie Heritage Association, and the Lovettsville Park Advisory Board. She was one of the foremost preservation leaders in Loudoun County, and her tireless efforts can be seen throughout our great Commonwealth. As a long-serving newspaperwoman, Mrs. Webb consistently focused her energy on the local community by keeping Loudoun County informed. Additionally, she served on the Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Board for over 20 years. Few individuals have had such a sterling record of protecting their community's resources. Clearly, Mrs. Webb's unrelenting belief in preservation gave her the strength to protect the community she loved until her passing. Mrs. Webb led the way in founding the Farm Museum at Claude Moore Park in Sterling, Virginia, as well as the transfer of the Historic Mt. Zion Church and Aldie Mill Park to the protection of NOVA Parks. For her actions she was named the 2012 Heritage Hero by the Mosby Heritage Association and was inducted as a Loudoun Laurel. Mrs. Webb is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Sally and Richard Garrison, her daughter and son-in-law Anne and Steve Fabry, her aunt Mary Hirschi, and the Hirschi and Carey cousins. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to highlight the life and legacy of Su Webb and the impact she had on our district. I ask that my colleagues join me in remembering Mrs. Webb on her commitment to natural and historical preservation in Loudoun County. May she rest in peace.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the 25th anniversary of Old Dominion Cotillion. Established in 1991, Old Dominion Cotillion has worked tirelessly to educate young women about how to conduct themselves with grace and poise, as well as the value of community service. Old Dominion Cotillion is an all-volunteer, nonprofit women's social organization founded by Sherry Clark Pressley of Vienna, Virginia. Her original vision, along with friends Alice Cromarty, Lisa Alexander and Lynn Williams, was to establish an organization of families working together to expand their daughters' knowledge and confidence to deal with their future adult lives. The work done by the women of Old Dominion Cotillion has helped shape the lives of countless young women who will serve as the leaders of tomorrow. The ODC's commitment to the community can be seen not only through their efforts to prepare young women for adulthood, but also through their service efforts. This year alone their membership contributed more than 900 hours of service to the Ronald McDonald House in Falls Church, as well as to several other organizations. During these years of volunteerism, ODC has received many accolades and recognitions, such as the Fairfax County Youth Volunteer Service Award for outstanding service and the Shelter House 30th Anniversary Champion Award for the high level of service and commitment to preventing and ending homelessness. It is organizations like this which keep the communities in Virginia's 10th District vibrant and thriving, and it is my privilege to represent them. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 25th anniversary of Old Dominion Cotillion and thank them for their efforts to prepare young women for adulthood. What has evolved throughout their twenty-five-year history has been nothing less than magical. It has brought women together to work for the betterment of not only their girls but their families and communities. I know the Old Dominion Cotillion will continue to provide these young ladies with opportunities to serve and grow as individuals, and I wish them all the best

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, my card did not register. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 577.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, please allow me to take a moment to recognize the significant accomplishments of Michelle Thomas, a remarkable individual from my district. A pastor in Leesburg, Virginia, Mrs. Thomas has dedicated her life to community service, preserving African American culture, and, most importantly, to God. Pastor Thomas is the first African American woman to establish a church in Loudoun County, the Holy and Whole Life Changing Ministries. Inspired by her upbringing in her father's Pentecostal church, Pastor Thomas decided to bring her message to the people of Loudoun. On November 19th, her ministry will celebrate its 10th anniversary. One of Pastor Thomas' greatest achievements was her re-discovery of the Belmont Slave Cemetery. The land she recently purchased for the expansion project of the Holy and Whole Life Changing Ministries sits atop what was once part of Thomas Lee's plantation. This discovery inspired her to create the Loudoun Freedom Center. The center is dedicated to protecting African American cultural sites, resources, and communities through preservation and education. In recognition of her efforts, she became the first African American woman to be appointed to the Loudoun County Heritage Commission. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in sending our most sincere congratulations to Pastor Michelle Thomas for her tireless dedication to her community and her faith. Her actions will have an incredible impact on the Loudoun community and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Langley High School golf team on winning the Virginia 6A state golf championship. Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance helped earn their school its first state championship in golf since 2011. This achievement comes in spite of the physical hardships and tough course conditions the team endured during the final round. The night before the second and final round, senior Brandon Berry came down with what was likely food poisoning. His condition had him bedridden for almost 14 hours. Nevertheless, Brandon took the course for the final round and recorded a 77. Also two freshmen, Nikita Gubenko and Brian Feinstein, recorded rounds of 75 and 80, respectively. Nikita's round was Langley's lowest of the day and helped the Saxons secure a 22-shot victory. It is this dedication that creates the level of excellence which these young men have achieved. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Langley Saxons on winning the Virginia 6A state golf championship. I am proud to represent these students and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Manassas Park City School system as they celebrate their 40th anniversary as a School Division in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Manassas Park City School system was the last school division to be approved for formation by the Virginia Department of Education in 1976, as the City of Manassas Park became the last town in the Commonwealth of Virginia to receive City status. The beginnings for the school system 40 years ago were not ideal. After a last minute move for independence from Prince William County, both the government and the schools were created with no infrastructure or financial support. In spite of these obstacles, the four schools which make up the Manassas Park City School system have become a successful part of a thriving community. Thanks to dedicated faculty and staff, Manassas Park City Schools are achieving remarkable things: a one-to-one digital conversion, a new balanced calendar, improved community engagement, and outstanding academic performance. Coming from a family of educators, I appreciate the invaluable role that administrators, teachers, and support staff play in inspiring our students. The work Manassas Park City Schools have done, and continue to do, with young men and women will be of great value to our community. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the importance of the Manassas Park City School system's 40th anniversary and what it represents for the city's residents, students, and staff. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Manassas Park City Schools and to thank them for their service to the children of Manassas Park. I wish them all well in their future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent Michele Coates of Loudoun County, Virginia, for her heroic actions on September 23rd, 2016. Michele has been driving school buses in Loudoun County for the past 14 years and recently demonstrated her commitment to the safety of her students. During her usual route to Harmony Middle School in Hamilton, Virginia, Michele was confronted by a situation she never thought she would have to face. While driving on Berlin Turnpike, Michele and her students noticed an unusual odor circulating the bus cabin. After safely pulling the bus over to the side of the road, Michele put the lives of her students above that of her own and ensured that all 32 students evacuated the bus safely. When emergency personnel arrived at the scene, they immediately determined that the bus was suffering from a smoke and gas leak. It was at this point that Michele realized that she did not feel well and was subsequently taken to the emergency room at Cornwall Inova for smoke inhalation. Even while she was in the ambulance, Michele's main concern was the safety of her students. In all, seventeen students were taken to Cornwall Inova to receive treatment for their exposure to the toxic fumes. Had Michele not been so quick thinking and selfless, that day could have ended much worse. Mr. Speaker, Michele Coates does not ask for recognition. She claims that her actions were not heroic, rather her duty. This is why I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Michele for her actions, which without a doubt saved the lives of those 32 schoolchildren on that bus. I applaud her for her willingness to endanger herself in order to protect her students. I wish her all the best in her recovery, as well as her future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the 30th anniversary of the Reston Hospital Center. Established in 1986, the Reston Hospital Center has worked tirelessly to provide outstanding medical care to patients throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The hard work done by the men and women of Reston Hospital Center has helped to make high quality healthcare available to many of my constituents and ensure the good health of communities in both Loudoun and Fairfax counties. The Center's commitment to the community can be seen through their health screenings, blood drives, education programs, wellness events, and their financial assistance to thousands of people who struggle with their medical bills. Their close collaboration with the constituents of Virginia's 10th Congressional District is crucial to keeping our community healthy and strong. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Reston Hospital Center and thanking them for the hard work they do to help keep the men and women of the region safe and healthy. I know Reston Hospital Center will continue to provide excellent healthcare, and I wish them all the best.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements of one of the 10th Congressional District's bravest constituents, Sergeant Tim Bristol of the Berryville Police Department. This law enforcement officer's unwavering courage and dedication to protecting the community is a noble example of public service. Sergeant Bristol deserves the thanks of not only the communities in which he serves, but also that of his elected officials. Sergeant Bristol began working for the Berryville police department in December of 2007. He previously worked for the Glasford Police Department in Illinois. Tim is the sergeant for the department as well as a field training officer, general instructor, and speed measurement instructor. As the sergeant, Tim routinely makes sure that the department is running efficiently and that all officers are current on their required training. Maintaining and reviewing training records for compliance is a huge task in and of itself, yet Tim still finds the time to accomplish so much more and plans for the future of the department. Tim is a well-respected supervisor, promotes a professional image of the department, and is a confident leader. During the past year Tim has spent countless hours in his role as a field training officer preparing new recruits and experienced officers new to the department for patrol in the community of Berryville. He takes this responsibility seriously and always looks for ways to improve the way training is delivered to those new to the career or department. Tim is the right-hand man of the Chief of Police who could not ask for a better person to fill that role. It is abundantly clear to the Chief that Tim is wholly invested in making the Berryville Police Department an example of professionalism and dedication to community service. The Chief often wonders if his mind is ever focused on anything else aside from moving the department forward, which is a testament to his loyalty and dedication. He is truly a deserving recipient and a stellar example of a professional law enforcement officer. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Sergeant Tim Bristol of the Berryville Police Department for protecting and serving the community day-in and day-out.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements of one of the 10th Congressional District's bravest constituents, Deputy Matt Watson of the Winchester City Sheriff's Office. This law enforcement officer's unwavering courage and dedication to protecting the community is a noble example of public service. Deputy Watson deserves the thanks of not only the communities in which he serves, but also that of his elected officials. Deputy Watson has been an auxiliary deputy with the Winchester City Sheriff's Office for two years. Although this is a relatively short time in his 16 year career, Deputy Watson has contributed an abundance of knowledge and talent to the office. Deputy Watson has excelled in tactical training and has started his own business, tactical operations consulting (TOC). Deputy Watson has been instructing law enforcement, military and state department employees prior to their deployment into hostile areas in the world. Even though Matt Watson keeps a very busy schedule, he has continued to volunteer his time here at the city sheriff's office. Deputy Watson approached the Sheriff about taking the existing emergency response team implemented there to provide knowledge and training to help create the first ever Special Response Team (SRT) in the city sheriff's office. The team is a part-time law enforcement special operations team that is designed to respond in a tactical manner to incidents in support of, or outside the capabilities of, the Winchester City Sheriff's Office. Deputy Watson not only provides training for the SRT but for the entire staff. Being able to have someone like Matt who is certified as a tactical medic, defensive tactics and firearm instructor as part of this team is greatly beneficial. Again, I would like to point out that this is all on a volunteer basis. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Deputy Matt Watson of the Winchester City Sheriff's Office for protecting and serving the community day-in and day-out.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements of one of the 10th Congressional District's bravest constituents, Sergeant Jason M. Hough of the Clarke County Sheriff's Office. This law enforcement officer's unwavering courage and dedication to protecting the community is a noble example of public service. Sergeant Hough deserves the thanks of not only the communities in which he serves, but also that of his elected officials. Sergeant Hough joined the Clarke County Sheriff's Office in June 2012. As a field deputy, he was always a top producer in the office. In June 2015 Jason assumed supervisory duties when he was promoted to sergeant. He has accepted the additional responsibilities and responded well to the additional duties. On March 4, 2016, Sergeant Jason M. Hough responded to a house in the town of Berryville for a report of a possible overdose. When Sergeant Hough arrived on the scene, he found an unconscious male lying on a bed. Jason checked to see if the male was breathing and if he had a pulse. He discovered that although the male had a good pulse, he was not breathing. Sergeant Hough began to perform mouth to mouth resuscitation. Medics arrived shortly thereafter and provided Sergeant Hough with a bag valve mask so he could continue to provide respirations to the victim. The victim did breathe on his own several times, but quit after a few breaths. According to witnesses on the scene, the victim had overdosed on heroin. The medics administered three rounds of Narcan though an IV. The victim regained consciousness and became very aggressive, screaming over and over. Sergeant Hough had to restrain the victim so that he could continue to receive medical care. The victim was taken to the ambulance. The victim had calmed down by this time, which allowed Sergeant Hough to tell him what had happened and that he was being taken to the hospital for overdosing. Without the actions of Sergeant Hough, the victim could have died. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Sergeant Jason M. Hough of the Clarke County Sheriff's Office for protecting and serving the community day-in and day-out.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements of one of the 10th Congressional District's bravest constituents, Deputy Tyler A. Renner of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. This law enforcement officer's unwavering courage and dedication to protecting the community is a noble example of public service. Deputy Renner deserves the thanks of not only the communities in which he serves, but also that of his elected officials. On August 14, 2015 Craig Dehaven became a victim of a burglary at his residence. Deputy Renner responded and processed the scene recovering latent prints and additional evidence that was located directly below a window that was entered during the incident. Deputy Renner collected the evidence and it was sent to the forensic lab for further processing. Results were received back from the lab on May 24, 2016 and a DNA match was found. The recovered evidence contained a DNA profile that matched a specific subject. On May 26, 2016 investigators were able to interview the subject and they obtained a full confession along with the location of the stolen items during this incident. The items were recovered and returned to the rightful owner, thanks to the diligent and thorough work performed by Deputy Renner. Had he not done this, the victim would not have had closure in this burglary. In addition several other incidents involved would also not have been cleared. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Deputy Tyler A. Renner of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office for protecting and serving the community day-in and day-out.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements of one of the 10th Congressional District's bravest constituents, Officer Andrew Specksgoor of the Winchester Police Department. This law enforcement officer's unwavering courage and dedication to protecting the community is a noble example of public service. Officer Specksgoor deserves the thanks of not only the communities in which he serves, but also that of his elected officials. Officer Specksgoor is a member of the Community Response Team (CRT). One of his duties as part of the CRT is interacting with the kids who have been assigned to the CRT from the courts and schools. All these children have had significant trouble in school and with the police. As you can imagine, they are often very difficult and challenging to deal with. Despite these challenges, plus his many other duties, Officer Specksgoor deals with these kids and families in a very professional manner. It has been noted that Andrew Specksgoor interacts with not only the children but also with their families to try to keep these kids out of future trouble. This is a job that many employees would shy away from, but Officer Specksgoor tackles this job with enthusiasm and professionalism. His supervisor has noted that he excels in mentoring these young people. He holds them accountable for good behavior while interacting with them each day in a positive fashion. This interaction includes taking kids on field trips and involving them in community service projects. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Officer Andrew Specksgoor of the Winchester Police Department for protecting and serving the community day-in and day-out.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements of one of the 10th Congressional District's bravest constituents, Supervisory Special Agent Jay Perry of the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force. This law enforcement officer's unwavering courage and dedication to protecting the community is a noble example of public service. Special Agent Perry deserves the thanks of not only the communities in which he serves, but also that of his elected officials. Special Agent Perry is the coordinator of the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force and serves in many capacities as such. Special Agent Perry oversees the operations of the drug task force offices in Winchester, Front Royal, Shenandoah County and Page County. Special Agent Perry provides outstanding leadership to the local task force agents as well as to the communities we represent. Special Agent Perry has been instrumental in helping to establish the new drug courts and in getting recent legislation passed to assist law enforcement in combating drug issues. Special Agent Perry works closely with community groups such as ``The Road to Recovery'', ``The Heroin Coalition'' and other community based groups to establish trusting and working relationships with not only the drug task force but with all law enforcement entities in the communities. Special Agent Perry, although extremely busy in his capacity as the task force coordinator, can still be found on the scene of drug arrests, search warrants and other investigations lending a hand and often guidance in these cases. During the 2015/2016 year, Special Agent Perry has been responsible for building and maintaining a system to monitor drug overdoses and fatalities in the communities. This information has proven to be valuable to many local groups to include law enforcement, community groups, medical professionals and recovery groups. Special Agent Perry maintains a close working relationship with each drug task force team leader to assure that this information is updated regularly and shared within the partnerships that have been created to combat the current heroin epidemic we are battling. Special Agent Perry has been actively involved with and continues to fight to have the region designated as a High Intensity Drug Area (HIDTA) in order for the local law enforcement partners to receive funding and support, which will allow us to continue to fight this current drug epidemic that we are experiencing in the communities. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Supervisory Special Agent Jay Perry of the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force for protecting and serving the community day-in and day-out.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements of one of the 10th Congressional District's bravest constituents, Officer Thomas Eagan of the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center. This law enforcement officer's unwavering courage and dedication to protecting the community is a noble example of public service. Officer Eagan deserves the thanks of not only the communities in which he serves, but also that of his elected officials. Officer Eagan has been employed with the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center since October 2013. In his short time with the facility, he has proven to be an extraordinary employee who delivers outstanding performance. His attention to detail and level of integrity is unprecedented. Officer Eagan was nominated for and received the Lifesaving Award for his heroic actions on September 9, 2015. While working overtime, he was the first to respond and to begin lifesaving tactics on an inmate who attempted to commit suicide. His steadfast personality and training led to the extension of life for the inmate. He has proven to be an extraordinary employee who delivers exemplary performance in all that he does. He also has a sense of humility that keeps him grounded and humble. For all that he contributes to the facility his dedication does not go unnoticed. Officer Eagan received employee of the quarter in the summer quarter of July, August and September and was nominated for employee of the year for the facility. He is experienced in his field and still desires more. He constantly pursues extra training when afforded and has recently become a member of the crisis intervention training team. He is always looking and asking to assist with everything and strives to continuously advance his thirst for knowledge. His professional demeanor and positive attitude are infectious to all those around him. He is a pillar in the eyes of other officers and is a true depiction of what each officer should aspire to become. His level of dedication and camaraderie are unrivaled. It is his selflessness and hardworking outlook in all things he does that has earned him the respect of his peers. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Officer Thomas Eagan of the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center for protecting and serving the community day-in and day-out.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements of one of the 10th Congressional District's bravest constituents, Officer Andrew Sherman of the Mount Weather Police Department. This law enforcement officer's unwavering courage and dedication to protecting the community is a noble example of public service. Officer Sherman deserves the thanks of not only the communities in which he serves, but also that of his elected officials. Officer Sherman routinely performs above and beyond his duties as a police officer by undertaking additional duties and tasks for improving the skills of his fellow police officers and the department as a whole. Officer Sherman, without hesitation, took on the responsibility of serving as the lead instructor for the department's protective service operations, which is required for the officers to be sworn in as special deputy, U.S. marshals. Additionally, Officer Sherman serves as one of the department's active shooter and non-lethal training instructors. He consistently develops creative and challenging training scenarios for improving the officers' skills in responding to and mitigating the impacts of an active shooter incident. He also was an instrumental part of the working group that created the Mount Weather emergency services division's tactical emergency casualty care policy, which dramatically improved the joint training and response of the Mount Weather police and fire departments during active shooter incidents. Recently Officer Sherman assisted with improving the department's security mission in the areas of aircraft security screens and random security measures as part of the department's security posture levels. His proposal for changing the positioning of officers during aircraft arrivals led to more efficient and effective security screening operations, and his recommended security measures will improve the overall force protection of the facility. Officer Sherman has continually shown himself as a professional police officer displaying the highest degree of competence, esprit de corps, and dedication to the mission of Mount Weather. The Mount Weather police department can think of no finer police officer more deserving of recognition than Officer Andrew Sherman. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Officer Andrew Sherman of the Mount Weather Police Department for protecting and serving the community day-in and day-out.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge my constituent, Stanley Caulkins, and his jewelry store, Caulkins Jewelers, on celebrating 60 years of business in Leesburg, Virginia. Before opening his own store, Mr. Caulkins' life took him down many paths. During the Second World War, Mr. Caulkins served his nation as a radio operator on a B-17 Bomber, upon returning home he attended Montgomery Jr. College and the Peter School of Horology in Washington, DC. In 1950, Stanley began working for a local jeweler on South King Street repairing watches and jewelry before buying his own store in 1956. Ever since, Caulkins Jewelers has been a fixture of the Leesburg community. Mr. Caulkins has also been an active in the Leesburg community. In addition to being the longest serving individual retailer in town, in 1962 he started the Downtown Renaissance in an effort to beautify downtown Leesburg. Mr. Caulkins has also served on the town council, the airport commission, and as Secretary, Treasurer, and President of the Leesburg Rotary Club. At 90 years of age, Stanley continues to diligently serve his community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Stanley Caulkins and Caulkins Jewelers as they celebrate this milestone. His dedication to both Caulkins Jewelers and Leesburg, Virginia has made him a friendly face in the Leesburg community. I wish Mr. Caulkins all the best in his future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Maya Weschler and Greg Masucci of A Farm Less Ordinary in Loudoun County for the creation of this extremely important organization. A Farm Less Ordinary strives to provide a compassionate and useful service through the agricultural industry to both Loudoun County and the Commonwealth as a whole. Maya Weschler and Greg Masucci moved to Loudoun after buying a family farm, where they sought to provide a safe and calm environment to raise their family. After seeing the positive impact the farm had on their autistic son Max, Maya and Greg decided to learn more about farming and to establish a place for others who faced disabilities to learn valuable work skills. Their farm has grown into an organization that is able to provide a sympathetic place of work and competitive compensation for their workers, who come from their partner organizations in Loudoun and Clarke County. Maya Weschler and Greg Masucci strongly believe in being good stewards of the land and caring for the environment. Perhaps most of all, the couple firmly believes in giving back to the community through their organization and their Community Supported Agriculture network. The success of Maya and Greg is a tremendous accomplishment and their aspirations for expansion are admirable. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Maya Weschler and Greg Masucci for their service to the community through A Farm Less Ordinary. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Ginny Thrasher of Springfield, Virginia, on winning Olympic Gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her dedication, hard work, and athletic prowess earned her the highest honor in the women's 10 meter air rifle event. This achievement is reserved for the most elite athletes in the world, and I am proud one of Virginia's own has joined their ranks. Ms. Thrasher's hard work, perseverance, and excellence are exemplified in her winning this medal. Winning the first Gold of the tournament, Ms. Thrasher led the way as the United States dominated their competition, winning 46 Gold medals during the 2016 Rio Olympics. We need to recognize and encourage the dedication that athletes like Ms. Thrasher display toward their sports. It is this dedication that creates the level of excellence that Ms. Thrasher has achieved. In addition to her Olympic greatness, Ms. Thrasher also helped the West Virginia Mountaineers win a fourth consecutive NCAA championship as she won the individual small-bore and air rifle titles at the event. She also holds more than 20 national and international records in her sport. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to highlight the importance of this award and what it represents for Ms. Thrasher, our great nation, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Ms. Thrasher on winning Olympic Gold in the women's 10 meter air rifle. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University (GMU), of Fairfax, Virginia on their 25th anniversary. This is an important milestone for this wonderful educational institution. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at GMU celebrated this anniversary in the district on the 6th of September, and it is my pleasure to briefly highlight the impact this school has had on my constituents. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at GMU has had a terrific history of success since first opening its doors in 1991. OLLI has stood as a pillar of education for those it serves by providing mature adults with an opportunity to continue their learning and intellectual growth. OLLI offers numerous low-cost and tremendously accessible courses to their members, as they do not require participants to do homework assignments or have a college degree in order to enroll. OLLI not only offers elderly residents of my district an opportunity to attend academic courses through the traditional lecture and classroom setting, but other chances to learn through a myriad of additional educational and cultural events. I truly believe that organizations such as OLLI serve as an integral part of our communities by providing services that foster lifelong learning. I come from a family of educators, so I have seen firsthand how important a proper education is to the future of our nation. It is institutions like Osher Lifelong Learning Institute that will continue to help shape the United States' role in the world, through offering scholastic services to our citizens. The success of this institution is a tremendous accomplishment that should make past and present faculty proud. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Osher Lifelong Institute at George Mason University for 25 years of serving citizens in my district. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Dylan Kurtz, of Great Falls, Virginia, for his tireless efforts to help those in need throughout Virginia's 10th Congressional District. Serving others is a core value of American culture; and Dylan has taken this to heart. At the young age of 12 years old, Dylan has devoted much of his life to serving charitable causes throughout his community. Last year, Dylan focused his efforts on hunger related charities. He volunteered at food pantries, packed lunches for children who did not have food on weekends, and helped StopHungerNow! with their efforts to end world hunger. This year, Dylan decided to combine his love for charitable work and animals by helping paws4people by organizing fundraisers and events to promote this organization. Paws4people was founded in 1999 with the purpose of using dogs to help improve the lives of both children with disabilities and veterans suffering from Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The organization has 500 trained dogs which have made more than 1 million therapeutic contacts. Dylan's work is helping make this possible. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in recognizing Dylan Kurtz of Great Falls, Virginia, for his unrelenting dedication to helping out those in his community. He serves as a shining example of what it means to be an American and I am proud to have him as a constituent. I commend him for his outstanding effort, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the McLean Project for the Arts in Loudoun County for the 10th anniversary of their MPAartfest. Established in 1962, the McLean Project for the Arts has worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for local and regional artists to showcase their work, to foster appreciation of contemporary art, and to offer instruction and teaching in the visual arts in many communities. The MPAartfest is an annual celebration in the form of an outdoor gallery experience highlighting the work of 52 artists from the area, as well as offering many other interactive activities that expose eventgoers to the arts. Some of this year's exhibits will include the Children's ArtWalk, an open-air gallery of elementary school children's artwork, and the Hands-On Art Studio, which gives artists of all levels the opportunity to further develop their passion. Additionally, this year's MPAartfest will host a new branch of exciting activities in their STEAM Center. This innovative program combines STEM and the Arts for those interested in architecture, robotics, and math. The hard work done by the men and women of the McLean Project for the Arts in organizing and putting on this event has helped ensure an excellent opportunity for many of my constituents to escape from life's many stresses by providing them with a time to unwind and enjoy the visual arts in their community. This event in McLean Central Park will be filled with great food, live music and many remarkable and interesting works of art. I am proud to have such an excellent group in my District, which is one that has been servicing local and regional communities for over 50 years. The McLean Project for the Arts has been such a positive force in teaching young people about the visual arts and in instructing them in how to become artists themselves. I would like to applaud this organization's dedication to the cultural enrichment of our future generations. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join in recognizing the 10th anniversary of the MPAartfest in Loudoun County, Virginia. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the Northern Virginia Bengali Association (NVBA), which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. A quarter of a century ago, the first Bengali residents of Virginia felt a need to have their own organization. Distance was barring their participation in Sanskriti, Maryland, which is the oldest Bengali association in the Washington, DC area. After extensive discussion and planning, the then Virginia residents decided to form a new organization of their own and called it Northern Virginia Bengali Association, with the broad vision of nurturing and promoting Bengali and Indian culture through education, cultural, spiritual, and charitable activities. In 1990, the first community event, Saraswati Puja, was held in McLean Hall. Bengal, India, is a crucible of art and culture. The Bengalis of Virginia, who have their roots in Bengal, expectedly, have a penchant for art, culture, music, and community life and strive to preserve their unique identity while intermingling with diverse ethos. They endeavor to strike a balance between indigenous traditions and cosmopolitan influences in their lifestyle and that of the next generation. The above values shape the foundation of NVBA's mission and are reflected in its major events. The following are among NVBA's significant achievements. They have sustained a rapid growth of members in the community in the past few years and have accommodated their social needs. They have increased the number, scale, and quality of the social/cultural events organized around the year. They have improved community relations by engaging with community leaders and officials, keeping communication channels open for dialogue, and also giving them the opportunity to experience Bengali culture. They have held several charitable events to help fellow citizens in the community and created a wing called `NVBA Cares' to administer such initiatives. Some of the recent activities of NVBA Cares include participating in food drives by partnering with Food for Others to help struggling families. There is also an initiative to support fellow members in severe health and financial distress until they are back on their feet again. NVBA has also participated in feeding the underprivileged in homeless shelters and helping in soup kitchens. In 2014, The Commonwealth of Virginia awarded a commendation plaque to NVBA for sharing their unique traditions with the people of this region and their positive impact on society. NVBA's contributions were also acknowledged on the Virginia House of Delegates' floor. From the founding fathers to the current board members, and countless volunteers, many individuals have worked selflessly to bring NVBA to its current stature in its 25th year since inception, relying on the simple principles of social and cultural enrichment of its members and promoting the spirit of harmony and goodwill in the community. Mr. Speaker, this is an organization which helps the citizens of Virginia's 10th Congressional District to thrive. I would ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Northern Virginia Bengali Association and wishing it a happy 25th anniversary. I wish this institution continued success in the future.