RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MIDDLERIDGE COMMUNITY OF FAIRFAX COUNTY; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 172
(Extensions of Remarks - October 02, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E920-E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MIDDLERIDGE COMMUNITY OF
FAIRFAX COUNTY
______
HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 2, 2020
Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary
of the Middleridge community.
Located in the heart of Fairfax County and the 11th Congressional
District of Virginia, Middleridge is a tight-knit community and the
land on which it is built is steeped in history. The very name of
Middleridge was derived from a 1766 decision of the Vestry of Truro
Parish, including George Washington and Colonel George William Fairfax,
to establish the new Payne's Church at the ``middle Ridge'' of Ox Road.
On July 17, 1970 the grand opening of Section 1 Middleridge,
consisting of 39 lots, was announced in The Evening Star. It was
advertised by the developer as being in ``the best of Virginian
tradition.'' ``Surrounded by the rich history of the county, its homes
radiate with old charm and aristocratic character.'' Today the
community consists of 578 homes situated on approximately ninety-five
acres and boasts amenities including a lake, large park, basketball and
tennis courts, and swimming pool.
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The all-volunteer Middleridge Civic Association was formed in 1973.
The civic association promotes an exceptionally strong sense of
community that greets new residents with open arms, providing welcoming
gifts to the newest neighbors. The Civic Association coordinates
regular stream clean-ups and awards annual scholarships to high school
seniors. Annual events include an Easter egg hunt, home and garden
tours, Halloween parade, a holiday light decorating contest and
community movie nights.
In 2002, Middleridge established a National Night Out celebration in
partnership with the Fairfax County Police Department. Of the scores of
NNO events held each year, the Middleridge National Night Out has been
recognized as the largest event in the entire county--again a testament
to the community spirit and activism of Middleridge residents.
As the former president of the Mantua civic association, I know
firsthand that a community is more than houses in a development. In
fact, the health and well-being of a region can be measured by the
involvement of its citizens. When residents invest their time, care,
and energies, a true community is created to the benefit of all.
Fairfax County is considered one of the best places in the nation in
which to live, work and raise a family, largely because of the
willingness of so many to become actively involved. Middleridge Civic
Association and the residents of this neighborhood provide an excellent
example of how to create a thriving, energetic, and welcoming place to
call home.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the
50th Anniversary of Middleridge and in thanking the residents and civic
association members and officers for their contributions and service to
our community.
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