[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 2023 FAIRFAX COUNTY VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2023

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Volunteer 
Fairfax and express my sincere appreciation to recipients of the 2023 
Annual Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards.
  Established more than 45 years ago, Volunteer Fairfax matches the 
skills and interests of thousands of volunteers with the needs of local 
non-profit organizations. The success of this model and its impact on 
delivery of needed services is beyond question; Volunteer Fairfax has 
been rated as one of the most effective community service organizations 
in the Nation.
  Last year alone, over 9,500 individuals contributed more than 20,865 
volunteer hours totaling $642,642 in value-added service to the greater 
community. These staggering numbers are a testament to the strong ethos 
of public service and of volunteerism that exists in Fairfax County and 
is one of the many reasons why this community is such a wonderful place 
to live.
  Each year, Volunteer Fairfax selects a few exceptional individuals, 
groups, or organizations to receive special recognition. It is my great 
pleasure to include in the Record the following names of the 2023 
Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards honorees:
  Ellicia Seard-McCormick--VF Amplify Award
  Tanja Majca--Chairman's Champion
  Mark E. Tonkovic--Mason District Champion
  Charlotte Hannagan--Braddock District Champion
  Elaine Tholen--Dranesville Community Champion
  Carl Sell--Franconia District Champion
  William G. Bouie--Hunter Mill District Champion
  Machand Family--Mount Vernon District Champion
  Cathy Jaquette--Providence District Champion
  Sal Speziale--Springfield District Champion
  Ellanor C Lawrence Park Friends--Sully District Champion
  Wayne Vick--Fairfax County Champion, Individual
  Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)--Fairfax 
County Champion, Group
  In addition, Benchmark Honors will be awarded in four different 
categories to commend those who have contributed 100, 250, 500, or 
1,000 hours of volunteer time to our community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Volunteer 
Fairfax for its decades of outstanding community service. I 
congratulate the recipients of the 2023 Fairfax County Volunteer 
Service Awards and thank them and the thousands of other local 
volunteers for their incredible contributions to our community. Their 
selfless dedication is worthy of our highest praise and is one of the 
main reasons that our community is often ranked as one of the best 
places in the country to live, work, and raise a family.

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