DemocratThe The Newsletter of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee

June 2015 Volume 2, Issue 5

Representatives Connolly and Beyer ‘Deeply Disappointed’ by House Cut of $50 Million in Federal Commitment to Metro in Appropriations Bill

Bipartisan Amendment to Restore Full $150 Million Fails in House Vote

On June 3, Representative (D-VA–11) rose to offer an amendment with his colleagues in the National Capital Region delegation that would “restore full funding of the federal commitment for vital rider safety improvements to ‘America’s Subway,’ the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit (continued on page 4)

June 9th Primary Election Results Tuesday, June 9 polls were open for voters to elect a Democratic nominee for the 44th and 45th Vir- ginia Delegate seats and a Democratic nominee for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in Mason and Mt. Vernon Districts. The candidates displayed spirit, determination, and passion. Thank you to all the candidates for stepping forward to seek your respective nominations.

(continued on page 5) Message from the FCDC Chairman Sue Langley On April 26 over 300 activist Democrats joined party leaders at the McLean Hilton for Fairfax County’s annual Jefferson Jackson (JJ) Dinner. First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe said she was honored to speak at the event for her first JJ speaking role. In her keynote address, she reviewed Governor McAuliffe’s efforts in the first year of his administration, as well as her own initiatives to benefit ’s children and families. Lieutenant Governor , Congressmen Gerry Connolly and , State Senator Chap Petersen, and Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn also presented brief remarks. Attorney General Mark Herring presented Committee awards to recipients.

In attendance were many county elected officials from the State Senate, the House of Delegates, the Board of Supervisors, the School Board, and the Soil and Water Conservation District. New State Dem- ocratic Party Chair Susan Swecker was there, as was Democratic National Committee member Frank Leone. The silent auction was bountiful and financially lucrative; the successful fundraiser will help

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Message from the FCDC Chairman Sue Langley Deadlines for The Democrat (continued from page 1) finance our absentee ballot pro- The Fairfax Democrats would like July 2015 Edition gram, back-to-school nights, get to thank Stephen Blancq, Omar Friday, June 26, 2015 out the vote, and other joint cam- Fateh, and Michele Menapace for paign activities this year. Thanks bringing their enthusiasm and August 2015 Edition to JJ Dinner team members Paula passion for Fairfax County Public Friday, July 31, 2015 Gori and Emilie Larson for plan- Schools to the contest for the at- ning and executing the silent auc- large endorsement. We look for- Articles/ photos must be tion and to Kim Cogle for han- ward to their contributions on submitted as attach- dling the seating arrangements. educational matters in the com- ments to thedem- ing months and beyond this ocrat@fairfaxdemocrats. At a well-attended general mem- year's election. org. All submissions are bership meeting of the Fairfax subject to a word limit County Democratic Committee on Primary Election June 9. Voters in and editing. For more May 26, members voted over- the Mason and Mt. Vernon mag- information, contact the- whelmingly to re-endorse our isterial districts voted at their democrat@fairfaxdemoc incumbent at-large School Board regular precinct polling places to rats.org. members. The Committee also elect the Democratic candidate endorsed the District School for District Supervisor for the fall Board members and the Northern election. In Mason, incumbent Virginia Soil and Water Conserva- Penny Gross faced Jessica Swan- tion District Directors. We con- son. Congratulations Penny gratulate all of the following can- Gross. didates, who will receive FCDC's Published monthly by the full support going into the No- In Mt. Vernon, the seat vacated Fairfax County Democratic vember general election: by the retirement of Gerry Hyland Committee was sought by Candice Bennett, a School Board At-Large: Ryan 2815 Hartland Road, Suite 110 former director at a Democratic Falls Church, VA 22043 McElveen, Ilryong Moon, and Ted polling firm in Washington; for- Tel: (703) 573-6811 Velkoff. mer Mt. Vernon Democratic Com- Fax: (703) 560-7004 mittee chair Jack Dobbyn; Plan- District School Board Members: http://www.fairfaxdemocrats.org ning Commissioner Tim Sargeant; Megan McLaughlin (Braddock), and School Board member Dan Janie Strauss (Dranesville), Patri- Editorial Team: Terry Matlaga Bell, Storck. Congratulations Dan Michael Fruitman, Linda Waller cia Hynes (Hunter Mill), Tamara Storck. Derenak Kaufax (Lee), Sandy Ev- Views expressed do not necessarily ans (Mason), Karen Corbett Sand- When Scott Surovell decided to represent those of the FCDC unless ers (Mt. Vernon), Dalia Palchik expressly approved by an appropriate seek the Senate seat of retiring committee resolution. (Providence), and Karen Keys- Senator Toddy Puller, this created Gamarra (Sully). a vacancy in the 44th District. Copyright@2015 Former FCDC chair Paul Krizek Soil and Water announced that he would seek to Conservation District Directors: replace Surovell in the House of George Lamb and Gerald Peters. Delegates. Justin Brown, the oth- The2 Democrat 2 Representatives Connolly and Beyer ‘Deeply Disappointed’ by House Cut of $50 Million in Federal Commitment to Met- ro in Appropriations Bill

(continued from page 1) Authority (or Metro). Repre- the Federal Transit Administra- The regional delegation which sentative Connolly reminded tion following the tragic 2009 included Representatives Con- Congress that for “the past six Red Line accident and the recent nolly and Beyer (D-VA-8) stated years, in a bipartisan fashion tragedy on the Yellow Line this that, “We are deeply disappoint- Congress has provided $150 mil- past January.” He further shared ed that the House of Representa- lion for Metro safety upgrades, that the most visible improve- tives has chosen to cut $50 mil- as authorized under the Passen- ment was the purchase of new lion from Metro and not fulfill ger Rail Investment and Improve- 7000 series railcars with ad- the long-standing federal com- ment Act of 2008.” He further vanced crash-resilient technolo- mitment critical to rider safety stated that “this authorization gy that replaced the oldest cars improvements. Reducing this was not like traditional transpor- in its fleet. funding breaks the 10-year fed- tation funding as the law re- The funding bill for the Depart- eral commitment and jeopardiz- quires the federal funding to be ment of Transportation which es the successful local, state, and matched dollar-for-dollar with was under consideration in the federal partnership. Millions of $50 million each from Virginia, House, H.R. 2577, would have Americans – not just from the DC Maryland, and the District of Co- cut the allocation of Federal region, but from across the na- lumbia.” funds by $50 million. The region- tion– depend on Metro, which is Representative Connolly stated al delegation headed by Repre- why Congress and the federal that “this partnership is funding sentative Connolly jointly offered government have a responsibility critical safety improvements an amendment to restore that to the operation, oversight, and throughout the system identified funding, but it was ruled out of safety of the system.” by Metro itself, the National order during debate on the They vowed to continue fighting Transportation Safety Board, and House floor on June 3rd. for full WMATA funding. Message from the FCDC Chairman Sue Langley

(continued from page 2) er choice in the primary contest, Fifer, director of communications Fairfax June 26. is a staff director in the House of for the City of Alexandria; Julie With gratitude to Governor Representatives and founder of Jakopic, former chair of Alexan- McAuliffe, the state party an- HillVets. Congratulations Paul dria’s Economic Opportunity nounced that in lieu of this year’s Krizek. Commission; Mark Levine, for- Virginia Jefferson Jackson Dinner, mer legislative counsel for for- the Democratic Party of Virginia The primary also selected mer Democratic Congressman will host a rally at the Patriot among five Democrats in the Barney Frank of ; Center on Friday, June 26. For- 45th District due to the retire- and Alexandria Democratic Com- mer Secretary of State Hillary ment of Delegate Rob Krupicka. mittee chair Clarence Tong. Con- Clinton is the special guest. The This contest featured a choice gratulations Mark H. Levine. summer meeting of the State among Larry Altenburg, Vice Democratic Party will be held the Chair of the City of Alexandria’s State Party Meeting and JJ Din- next day, Saturday, June 27 at Board of Zoning Appeals; Craig ner—with Hillary Clinton—in Woodson High School in Fairfax. The Democrat 3 3 National Affairs Committee Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Don Beyer to Speak at Policy Forum July 9 by Sandra J. Klassen, NAC Chair

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), from 1990–1998, Mr. Beyer’s in government of the people, by progressive policy icon and co- signature achievement included the people, and for the people.” founder of the Congressional Pro- ensuring pro- The reality that Caucus gressive Caucus (CPC), and Rep- tections for members and all progres- resentative Don Beyer (D-VA-8), Virginia’s most sives must confront is first-term congressman from Vir- vulnerable that savage inequalities ginia’s 8th District and new CPC populations as are destroying the Ameri- member, will discuss Rebooting the Common- can dream and our de- Our Policy Agenda To Reclaim wealth re- mocracy. The key to un- The American Dream on Thurs- formed its derstanding these rising day, July 9, from 7:00–9:00 pm welfare sys- inequalities is to recog- at the National Rural Electric Co- tem in the mid nize that political power operative Association in Arling- -1990s. is increasingly concen- ton. The CPC is trating in the corporate Senator Sanders has represented dedicated to Congressman Don Beyer and financial elite who Vermont in the Senate since promoting a (D-VA-8) have been using it to 2007, after serving 16 years as “strong, pro- shape government poli- the state’s sole congressman in gressive agenda rooted in four cies for their benefit, not for the the House of Representatives. core principles that embody na- benefit of all Americans. Throughout his career Senator tional priorities and are con- MoveOn.org’s Ilya Sheyman and Sanders has been a champion for sistent with the values, needs, Democracy for America’s Charles working families, focusing on the and aspirations of all the Ameri- Chamberlain wrote for Politico, shrinking middle class and the can people, not just the powerful “The surging progressive spirit of growing gap between the rich and the privileged.” These princi- the 2016 Democratic field and and poor, and ples are: electorate are … all tremors pres- he is continuing 1. Fighting aging a much deeper tectonic his advocacy as for economic shift in American politics. Just as a 2016 Demo- justice and the progressive movement and cratic presiden- security for set the stage for the tial candidate. all, rise of the great American middle Congressman 2. Protecting class a century ago, we're due for Beyer voted in and preserv- a profound political reckoning favor of the CPC ing our civil that restores our founders' budget resolu- rights and dream of government by and for tion alternative, the people.” Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) civil liberties, the “People's That reckoning is now. It’s time Budget: A Raise 3. Promoting global peace and security, and for progressives to build a move- for America” that would have ment, reboot our policy agenda, fixed an economy that has failed 4. Advancing environmental pro- and reclaim the American dream. to provide opportunities Ameri- tection and energy independ- Join the July 9 forum to discuss can families need to get ahead. ence. the way forward. As Virginia Lieutenant Governor They reflect a fundamental belief (continued on page 5)

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National Affairs Committee Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Don Beyer to Speak at Policy Forum July 9 (continued from page 4)

For more information and to RSVP, please visit the following sites. RSVP: https://goo.gl/sR3ANw Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4QmnGSd1EuSc1BseklvZjRJbDA/view FCDC website: http://www.fairfaxdemocrats.org/2015/06/03/forum-with-senator-bernie-sanders-on- july-9th/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/509393732543505/

June 9th Primary Election Results (continued from page 1)

Fewer than 145 days to the November general election, now we as Democrats must regroup and reenergize to win in November. Congratulations to the following Democratic nominees:

Virginia House of Delegates 44th District Paul Krizek 45th District Mark H. Levine

Fairfax Board of Supervisors Mason District Penny Gross Mt. Vernon District Dan Storck

Beginning with the July 2015 campaign update. Candidate article submissions must be limited to 250 words and be about the The Democrat... candidate’s experience on the campaign trail or a campaign update. One picture may be submitted Beginning with the July 2015 issue, The Demo- with narrative. No fundraising promos, please. crat will run a special monthly insert titled, Cam- Articles/photos must be submitted as attach- paign Trail 2015. All Fairfax County candidates ments to [email protected] are welcomed and encouraged to share a human by 5 :00 pm on the last Friday of the month. All interest story from their campaign travels or a submissions are subject to editing.

The Democrat 5 5 Show Your Support at the June 25 FCPS School Board Meeting for Pro-LGBT Issues At the May 26 general member- supporters nine-to-one. That Based on the May 26 meeting, the ship meeting, the Fairfax County night the school board voted 10-1 FCPS School Board will have a Democratic Committee voted with one abstention to add pro- contentious meeting on June 25. unanimously to commend the tections to transgendered stu- The anti-LGBT groups are ex- Fairfax County School Board on its dents and employees. All ten of pected to bus in protesters. It is recent pro-LGBT motions, to sup- the FCDC-endorsed members vot- imperative that LGBT backers port adopting age-appropriate ed in favor of the proposal. come to support the proposed FLE Family Life Education (FLE) and changes and outnumber the op- On June 25, the Fairfax County health curricula that affirm our position. The June 25 meeting will School Board will vote on a mo- LGBT youth, and to encourage its be held in the Luther Jackson Mid- tion to make LGBT-positive addi- members and supporters to dle School auditorium (3020 Gal- tions to the Family Life Education attend the June 25 meeting to lows Road, Falls Church, VA (FLE) curriculum. The FLE Advisory support these LGBT efforts and 22042) at 7:00 pm. We recom- Committee which proposed these our FCDC-endorsed school board mend supporters arrive no later recommendations to the Board members. than 6:00 pm to ensure getting a voted nearly unanimously on each seat in the auditorium. Background: On May 7, the School recommendation. The recommen- You are also encouraged to re- Board entertained a motion to dations include informing Fairfax view the proposed FLE changes add gender identity as a protected teens that some people in our and submit your comments to the class in its non-discrimination poli- community are LGBT and that this School Board. The period for pub- cy. At that meeting, national anti- is normal. lic comment ends on June 19 so LGBT groups organized a protest The impact of these additions to that all of the comments may be and packed the Luther Jackson the FLE curriculum can be great. reviewed by School Board mem- Middle School with opponents of Suicide rates among LGBT and bers before the June 25 meeting. the proposal. Many of the pro- questioning teens is much higher testers were not residents of Fair- We look forward to your support than among straight teens. Add- fax County, i.e., Delegate Bob on June 25. If you have any ques- ing the recommendations to the Marshall from Prince William tions, you may contact Joshua FLE curriculum may reduce the County. It was estimated that the Israel or Christopher Schäffer. youth suicide rate. anti-LGBT groups outnumbered Full text of the FCDC resolution: sexual orientation and gender identity to ty. Be it resolved that the Fairfax County Whereas the Fairfax County Democratic the schools' non-discrimination policy; Democratic Committee commends the Committee (FCDC) strongly supports non- and Whereas the board's Family Life Edu- school board majority for its support for discrimination and inclusion of our entire cation committee recommended unani- non-discrimination; and community; and mously and nearly-unanimously that Urges the school board to adopt age- Whereas the national and Virginia Demo- LGBT-affirming changes be made to the appropriate Family Life Education and cratic Party platforms embrace equal health and family life curriculum; and health curriculum that affirms our LGBT treatment for LGBT Americans; and Whereas the school board will vote on youth. Whereas LGBT and questioning youth the recommendations at its June Be it further resolved that the Fairfax face continued stigma and have suicide 25 meeting; and Whereas national anti- County Democratic Committee encour- rates several times higher than their LGBT hate groups have targeted Fairfax ages all its members and supporters to straight classmates; and County and worked to flood recent school attend the June 25 meeting in support of Whereas in recent months the 10 FCDC- board meetings with their supporters these LGBT efforts and of our FCDC- endorsed school board members added from within and outside of Fairfax Coun- endorsed school board members. 6 The Democrat 6

Special 2015 Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner Insert

The annual Jefferson-Jackson sors and Board Supervisors public service of State Senator Dinner held Sunday April 26 at Foust, Hyland, Huggins, McKay, the McLean Hilton Hotel was and Gross, Fairfax Sheriff Kin- attended by more than 300 caid, Soil and Water Conserva- Democratic activists and nearly tion, At large and district mem- 50 current and past elected offi- bers of the Fairfax County School cials including Congressmen Ger- Board, and elected members of ry Connolly and Don Beyer, Lieu- Herndon and Vienna town coun- tenant Governor Ralph Northam, cils. The keynote speaker was Attorney General Mark Herring, Virginia’s First Lady, Dorothy the Hon. Kate Hanley, Virginia McAuliffe. Special guest, the new Virginia State Senator Toddy Puller, State Senators and Delegates, 36th Senate District Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervi- Toddy Puller and Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland.

Virginia State Party Chairperson, Susan Swecker Virginia State Party Chairperson, Susan Swecker also spoke. Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland Keynote Speaker Virginia’s First Lady, The formal event was dedicated Dorothy McAuliffe to honoring the many years of

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Special 2015 Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner Insert Jefferson-Jackson Dinner 2015 Award Presentations

FCDC District Committee Member of the Year Dalia Palchik, Providence District

FCDC District Committee Volunteer of the Year Hanh Deniston, Hunter Mill District

FCDC Outstanding District Committee of the Year Dranesville District

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Jefferson-Jackson Dinner 2015 Award Presentations

Charles S. Robb Young Leaders Award Jessica Bowser, Lee District

Lynda J. Robb Community Service Award Linda Waller, Lee District

Jefferson- Member of the Year Volunteer of the Year Jackson Dinner Ellen Strauss, Braddock Carol Randall, Braddock Kris Gregory, Dranesville Rose Donovan, Dranesville District Award Denver Lovett, Hunter Mill Hanh Deniston, Hunter Mill Recipients Esther Ferington, Lee Esther Ferington, Lee Nelly Samaniego, Mason Sheila Jonas, Mason Fred Shwaery, Mt. Vernon Bob & Toni Fasick, Mt. Vernon Dalia Palchik, Providence Donna M. Wilson, Springfield Frank Blechman, Springfield Maggie Godbold, Sully

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Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner 2015 Smiles Were Everywhere

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Special Democratic Party of Virginia Event

Register at http://virginiademshrc.tumblr.com/ today.

TICKET TYPE SALES END PRICE

General Admission Seating will be assigned on a first-come, Jun 26, 2015 $30.00 first-served basis. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

Preferred Seating Preferred Seating will be offered off the Jun 26, 2015 $125.00 floor in the areas immediately surrounding the stage. Food and beverages will be included with the cost of the ticket. Seating will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

DPVA Members DPVA Members will be seated together on Jun 26, 2015 $125.00 the floor and immediately surrounding areas. Food and bev- erages will be included with the cost of the ticket. Seating will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

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