April 8, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 60 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA CONSERVATION 
                                 TRUST

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 8, 2019

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Northern 
Virginia Conservation Trust on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. 
Founded in 1994, NVCT undertook a mission to sustain abundant, thriving 
and natural places in local neighborhoods and communities. Over the 
last 25 years, their efforts have led to the protection of over 7,000 
acres of land, comprising parks, streams, forests and farms in both 
rural and urban settings. In a region of over 3 million people and 
growing, that is an incredible accomplishment that deserves high 
praise.
   In Northern Virginia, we have always made an effort to preserve our 
parkland and green spaces. This is one of the reasons why our region 
continues to enjoy such a high quality of life. I was proud during my 
tenure as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to make 
environmental conservation one of my top priorities. We set a goal of 
preserving 10 percent of our open space as parkland. We are currently 
at 9.7 percent and I am confident that the future will see us reach 
that goal of 10 percent.
   I also saw firsthand the commitment of the membership of NVCT to the 
goal of conservation. The late Jean Packard, who served as Chairman of 
the Board of NVCT, was an instrumental figure in the downzoning of the 
Occoquan watershed.
   That decision was arguably one of the most consequential 
environmental decisions made by the Board of Supervisors. It is no 
coincidence that the healthiest streams in Fairfax County and the most 
scenic, ecologically intact open space are found within the boundaries 
of the Occoquan watershed.
   The existence of organizations like NVCT is a testament to the high 
level of civic engagement and citizen activism that we are blessed with 
not only in Fairfax County, but in Northern Virginia as a whole. The 
actions of governments, while important, will never be sufficient by 
themselves. Organizations like NVCT provide an invaluable supplement, 
which ensures that we will continue to prioritize preservation and 
conservation of our natural resources for future generations.
   Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Northern Virginia Conservation Trust on 25 years of preserving nature. 
I commend them for their service to our community and our region and 
ask my colleagues to join me in wishing them great success in all their 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________