James Walkinshaw

Mr. WALKINSHAW

Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Hickory Farms. Established in 1975, Hickory Farms is a community made up of 198 single-family homes in the Braddock District. Fairfax County is full of history, and this community's history has been well documented by local historians, including resident Robert Cosgriff. Through research, Cosgriff found that Hickory Farms is situated on a piece of land that some scholars believe is the largest private land holding in history. In 1672, Charles II of England granted proprietary rights to approximately 5 million acres to Henry Earl of Arlington and Thomas Lord Culpeper, Baron of Thorsway, for their support of Charles' claim to the throne during the period of the Commonwealth under Cromwell. The rights to the property were passed through descendants, and the first owner to reside on the 21,996-acre estate, the largest single land holding in what is now Fairfax County, was William Fitzhugh. The estate was named ``Ravensworth'' after an ancestral home in England. Their property was approximately nine percent of the total area of Fairfax County, and included the land now known as Hickory Farms. Fairfax County contains over 1,500 homeowners' and condominium associations, each one performing similar functions for residents, but some associations, like Hickory Farms Community Association (HFCA), go above and beyond for their members. While much of HFCA's functions are standard, such as ensuring owners maintain their properties and ensuring the common areas are maintained, they also make a conscious effort to encourage a deep sense of community within Hickory Farms. This sense of community starts right when new homeowners or tenants move into the neighborhood. HFCA's Welcome Wagon Representatives welcome new residents, hand them a welcome packet, and collect contact information to make sure they are able to take full advantage of everything HFCA has to offer. Throughout the year, residents can gather with their neighbors for social events like children's parades, Halloween parties, summer kickoffs, and more. Many of these events take place throughout the large common areas within Hickory Farms. The common areas comprise over 20 acres of wooded land and open areas, including a number of maintained walking trails. It takes countless volunteers to maintain the common areas, greet new neighbors, put on social events, and support the necessary functions of the HOA. Not only does Hickory Farms recognize people's contributions in the monthly newsletter, but a number of active volunteers have been recognized on an even larger level. I include in the Record the following volunteers: Braddock District Citizen of the Year: Robert Cosgriff (1997) and Bob and Lee Sottile (2002) Braddock District Neighborhood Enhancement Award: Melissa and Jarrett Stark (2019) Braddock District Civic Engagement Award: Robert Cosgriff (2024) Lord Fairfax (Braddock District): Robert Mullin Jr. (1990) and Robert Cosgriff (2021) Lady Fairfax (Braddock District): Pamela Barrett (2009) In addition to these individual recognitions, HFCA has received a number of awards as a community because of their environmental and conservation efforts. HFCA earned the Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Award in 2002 and 2024, as well as earning the ``Friends of the Trees'' Award in 2021. These awards are a testament to the dedication of the Hickory Farms residents and the commitment of the HFCA to uphold high environmental standards for their community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me, in congratulating Hickory Farms on its 50th anniversary. For five decades, residents have enjoyed the best of what Fairfax County has to offer because of the tireless work of the HFCA. This community is a prime example of why this county is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Cheers to another 50 years.

Mr. WALKINSHAW

Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, observed each October to honor the invaluable contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce and to reaffirm our commitment to expand their participation in the future. In 1945, the Nation first designated a national week to recognize the contributions of people with physical disabilities. Designated by Congress as NDEAM in 1988, commemoration evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the number of people with disabilities in the workforce. In 2001, the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) was created and was given responsibility for NDEAM and for selecting and helping promote its annual theme. This year's theme is ``Celebrating Value and Talent'', which reminds us that Americans with disabilities bring innovation, resilience, and unique perspectives to our communities and all sectors of our economy. As we celebrate NDEAM and disability employment, I want to recognize the success of the AbilityOne Program, one of the largest and most impactful sources of employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities in the United States. Since Congress first established the program over 80 years ago, AbilityOne has empowered individuals with disabilities by providing meaningful work opportunities through Federal contracts. Today, nearly 40,000 Americans, including thousands of veterans, are employed on these contracts providing essential products and services for Federal agencies with excellence, reliability, and pride. ServiceSource, based in my Congressional district, is one of 400 AbilityOne Federal contractors doing this work across the country, contributing to workforce development and strengthening communities. I commend their efforts and other employers who are actively hiring people of all abilities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month and in advancing policies that empower every American to secure a job and thrive. During the month of October, we should all reaffirm our commitment to a workforce that recognizes and welcomes everyone's contributions.

Mr. WALKINSHAW

Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing October as National Spine Health Awareness Month. In the U.S., 100 million people suffer from neck or back conditions every year according to the CDC. Back pain is the number one cause of missed workdays, the leading cause of job-related disability and pain in the U.S., and the most common non-cancer related reason for an opioid prescription in the U.S. In addition, those with back and neck pain are four times more likely to become clinically depressed. The National Spine Health Foundation, located in my district in Reston, Virginia, is the only national patient-centered non-profit dedicated to helping patients overcome debilitating spinal conditions and take back their lives. For over two decades, the Foundation has increased its commitment to and has developed award winning patient education, advocacy, and research work to give patients the tools they need to make informed decisions about their spine health and navigate their own treatment journeys with confidence. To further address the complex challenges of spinal health, the Foundation has created four specialized task forces led by experts in their fields. The Opioid Task Force which has advanced research on minimizing opioid use while still optimizing pain relief. The Bone Health Task Force promotes bone health screening protocols, research, and public education. The Military & Veterans Task Force works to ensure that service members and veterans receive advanced, appropriate spine care. Finally, the Motion Preservation Task Force ensures patients and providers have access to lifechanging motion-preserving procedures, focusing on artificial disc replacement. The Foundation continues to be strongly committed to spine health research. Patient reported outcomes have long been part of fabric of NSHF since its inception. As they are deeply invested in supporting evidence-based healthcare decisionmaking, it is important to be part of the process of creating the evidence. Their cloud-based research tool called `Spine-online' enables them to conduct multi-center studies and partner with research teams both in the U.S. and internationally. Active studies are currently occurring on robotic surgery, enhanced surgical recovery, augmented reality, a genetic basis for personalized spine treatments, stem cell therapy, and more. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the importance of good spinal health and thanking the NSHF and the healthcare providers who help spine and neck patients, not just in October, but all year long.

Mr. WALKINSHAW

Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the First Baptist Church of Merrifield on the occasion of the 155th anniversary of its sanctuary. For more than a century and a half, First Baptist Church of Merrifield has served as a cornerstone of faith, service, and community for the Northern Virginia region. First Baptist Church of Merrifield was started in a log cabin between 1871 to 1872. FBCM had then branched out and began worshipping on property owned by Mr. Robert Bradley of Merrifield. In 1891, the property was purchased from him by church Trustees: John E. Coates, Joshua Ball, and Joshua Pearson for the sum of five dollars. FBCM is a church formed from strong community family ties and has remained steadfastly community focused since. FBCM remains a vital part of our district today by partnering with neighbors and local organizations to fulfill local needs through service projects, food and supply drives, youth programs, and many other community-centered initiatives. Through these efforts, FBCM continues to foster a spirit of faith, service, collaboration, and compassion throughout our district. Over the past 155 years, FBCM has been led by 13 pastors and 2 interim pastors. Each one contributing to the growth of FBCM and leaving behind their own unique legacy of service. A few of those contributions include: the establishment of the Golden Ages Senior Saints Ministry, the construction of the Merrifield Child Development Center, the recovery of the original church bell, the creation of a youth mentoring program with Luther Jackson Middle School, the development of a tutoring outreach program targeting local students, and much more. FBCM and its congregation lead by faith and example in our community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending First Baptist Church of Merrifield for its efforts to better the Northern Virginia region. Achieving 155 years of ministry is a milestone worth celebrating. It is a privilege to work alongside this great congregation in the community, and I wish them continued success through faith, family, and service.

Mr. WALKINSHAW

Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lt. Colonel Jabar Shabazz, who is retiring after 31 years of faithful service to our Nation, culminating in his service as lieutenant colonel, the highest rank in the Sheriff's Office, immediately below Sheriff. Lt. Col. Shabazz has always been a competitive and driven person, as was apparent in his days as a college basketball player. He attended Virginia State University on a four-year athletic scholarship and played small forward. In his senior year, his team won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship. While his goal was to join the NBA, Shabazz ended up meeting several folks who worked for the Richmond Sheriff's Office when he was playing in a summer league after college. He began his career in public service in 1989 when he joined the Richmond Sheriff's Office. After five years of distinguished service in Richmond, Lt. Col. Shabazz decided to join the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office in March of 1994 after taking a tour of the Adult Detention Center (ADC) and liking what he saw. Since his graduation from the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, he has spent the majority of his career in the ADC but has served with distinction in all areas of the agency, including court security and internal affairs. Throughout his time in each division and rank, Lt. Col. Shabazz made his mark on his colleagues and the Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid. Sheriff Kincaid ended up offering Shabazz the position to serve as her Chief Deputy in 2022, despite his nearing retirement. Knowing he had more service to give, he accepted and obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. When taking over the position of Chief Deputy of Operations, Shabazz was confident in his skills in operations and was looking forward to being responsible for both the ADC and all of their support services. Sheriff Kincaid described him as being ``the gold standard of leadership in [the] agency,'' and that he ``brings with him a mentality of getting to yes and finding a way over, around, or through any obstacle to get the job done.'' His appointment to this position was also historic, as he became the first African American Lieutenant Colonel and Chief Deputy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Lt. Colonel Jabar Shabazz on his retirement. On behalf of myself and the citizens of Fairfax County, I thank him and his family for his honorable 31 years of selfless service to our Nation. Fairfax County is the safest jurisdiction of its size, and that is in no small part due to the dedication of individuals like Lt. Col. Shabazz. Best wishes for a safe and happy retirement.

Mr. WALKINSHAW

Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, across America, hardworking people are struggling to pay their bills. This includes housing, groceries, healthcare, and more. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been cut due to the DOGE policies. Our economy is sputtering, and the tariffs are jacking up prices. The so-called big, beautiful bill will decimate Medicaid, taking healthcare from seniors, children, and working families, while driving up premiums. The President has told the majority not to negotiate with our side to keep the government open. The budget that has been introduced will drive up everyday costs, including healthcare premiums. Mr. Speaker, it is time for us to come together and deliver what the American people need, which is access to affordable healthcare and a government that is funded and functional.

Mr. WALKINSHAW

Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 491, the Equal COLA Act; H.R. 492, the Saving the Civil Service Act; H.R. 493, the FAIR Act; and H.R. 1670, the Family Building FEHB Fairness Act, all bills originally introduced by Representative Connolly of Virginia, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. WALKINSHAW

Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise with profound gratitude and humility as I begin my service on behalf of Virginia's 11th District. As a lifelong Northern Virginian, I am honored by the trust my community has placed in me. I am deeply grateful to my wife, Yvette, and our son, Mateo, whose love and patience sustain me. This moment belongs to them as much as it does to me. I am also honored to follow in the footsteps of my dear friend and mentor, Congressman Gerry Connolly, a singular figure in Virginia and in this body, who showed us what principled leadership looks like. His legacy will guide me every day. With that gratitude, Mr. Speaker, comes responsibility to speak honestly about the challenges my community faces. In Virginia, we are on the leading edge of President Trump's economy. In my district, everyone knows someone who has lost their job due to the agenda coming from the White House and too often from this Chamber. If we do not change course, what is true in Northern Virginia today will soon be true in every district in this Nation. Families everywhere will know someone who has lost their job because of the DOGE cuts, the tariffs, the budget bill, or our failure to address the rising costs on everything from groceries to rent to prescription drugs. This week, Mr. Speaker, the people of Virginia sent a clear message: They want pragmatic solutions. They want a government that works for everyone. They want us to tackle the high cost of living, housing, and health care, to confront climate change, to honor the public servants, our Federal employees, who keep our government running. Mr. Speaker, I am humbled by the trust my constituents have placed in me. I will carry their hopes and their voices into this Chamber every day. I will never forget where I came from, and I will never stop working for a government that reflects the best of who we are. Together, Mr. Speaker, I believe we can build that future.