March 6, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 40 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  RECOGNIZING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2019 PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY HUMAN 
                        RIGHTS COMMISSION AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2019

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of 
the 2019 Prince William County Human Rights Commission Awards.
  The Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) implemented the 
Human Rights Ordinance January 15, 1993, formally establishing the 
Human Rights Commission. Two years prior, the BOCS formed the Human 
Rights Study Committee to explore the needs of a community that was 
growing in population and diversity. An exhaustive effort that included 
numerous committee meetings and public hearings identified a strong 
community desire for a human rights ordinance and an agency to enforce 
it. The Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discriminatory practices based 
on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, marital status, or 
disability, as well as in the consideration of employment, housing, 
public accommodations, education, and credit, in Prince William County.
  The BOCS approved the ordinance in September 1992 to ensure that 
``each citizen is treated fairly, provided equal protection of the law, 
and equal opportunity to participate in the benefits, rights, and 
privileges of community life.'' Residents enlist the services of the 
commission if they feel their rights have been violated in the areas of 
employment, fair housing, credit, education and public accommodation.
  In celebration of Universal Human Rights Day, the Human Rights 
Commission recognizes individuals and organizations that promote the 
principles of human rights in Prince William County. It is my honor to 
include in the Record the recipients of the 2019 Prince William County 
Human Rights Commission Awards: Phyllis Aggrey, John Harper, The 
National Coalition of 100 Black Women--Prince William County Chapter, 
Potomac Health Foundation, Graham Park Middle School, Minnieville 
Elementary School's Family Engagement Team.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the 
recipients of the 2019 Prince William County Human Rights Commission 
Awards. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to these honorees for their 
efforts to safeguard our most basic rights and remind us of our common 
humanity. Let us use their example to rededicate ourselves to the fight 
against inequity and injustice.

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