October 24, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1419 PERSONAL EXPLANATION Chapter was dutifully led in these early years parted back to England to cement his claim. In by Charter members Marian Palmer Capps, 1742, William arranged for that piece of land HON. DINA TITUS Clara Pannell, Ethel Pannell, Sallie Watkins to be officially designated as Fairfax County. OF NEVADA Roberts, Dorothy Roles Watkins, Olivia This new county was home to many Ameri- cans who would have an impact on our coun- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Williamson, and Christine Jefferson Haynes. The women of the Newport News Alumnae try, most notably future President George Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Chapter are committed to the same honored Washington. In addition, Fairfax was home to Ms. TITUS Mr. Speaker, I was absent Octo- tradition of community service that has driven the man who many credit with the creation of ber 2, 2017 through October 10, 2017 due to all of Delta Sigma Theta’s members since its the Bill of Rights, George Mason. Working the horrific I October tragedy that occurred in inception. Delta Sigma Theta’s sisterhood has with a member of Virginia’s congressional dis- my district. If I were present, I would have always been guided by the sorority’s Five- trict (and future President himself) James voted on the following: Point Programmatic Thrust of Economic De- Madison, Mason argued for the creation of Roll no. 544—H.R. 1547—On motion to velopment, Education Development, Inter- amendments to the newly-created U.S. Con- suspend the rules and pass the bill: YEA national Awareness and Involvement, Physical stitution to protect individual freedoms. Indeed, Roll no. 545—H.R. 965—On motion to sus- and Mental Health, and Political Awareness Mason was one of only three delegates to the pend the rules and pass the bill, as amended: and Involvement. It is with these principles in Constitutional Convention to refuse to sign the YEA mind that the Newport News Alumnae Chapter new document because of his concerns that Roll no. 546—H. Res. 548—On ordering the established the programs that continue to the federal government would be abusive of previous question: NAY serve their local community to this day. its authority absent a document like the Bill of Roll no. 547—H. Res. 548—On agreeing to Delta Sigma Theta’s unwavering commit- Rights. the resolution: NAY ment to serving the needs of African Ameri- Fairfax County also played a role in another Roll no. 548—H.R. 36—On motion to re- cans has been truly reflected through the good pivotal time on our Nation’s history, the Civil commit with instructions: YEA work pursued by the Newport News Alumnae War. The courthouse in Fairfax City served as Roll no. 549—H.R. 36—On passage: NAY Chapter over the years. The Dr. Betty a headquarters for the U.S. Army and the re- Roll no. 550—S. 782—On motion to sus- Shabazz Delta Academy provides young girls mains of several forts can still be found pend the rules and pass the bill, as amended: between 11 and 14 years old with the oppor- throughout the county today. The founder of YEA tunity to pursue their interests in math, the Red Cross, Clara Barton, treated wounded Roll no. 551—H. Res. 553—On ordering the science, and technology. The Delta GEMS soldiers at St. Mary’s Church in Fairfax Sta- previous question: NAY program offers college and career planning to tion, an experience that would eventually lead Roll no. 552—H. Res. 553—On agreeing to at-risk teenage girls who may otherwise not her to found that organization. While the the resolution: NAY understand the opportunities available to County was largely spared from major battles Roll no. 553—H. Con. Res. 71—On agree- them. The EMBODI program addresses the (with the exception of the Battle of Ox Hill in ing to the amendment: YEA challenges facing African-American boys by 1862), raids and skirmishes between Union Roll no. 554—H. Con. Res. 71—On agree- providing middle and high schoolers with and Confederate forces were frequent and ing to the amendment: YEA counseling and support in subject areas such portions of the County changed hands several Roll no. 555—H. Con. Res. 71—On agree- as fostering healthy relationships, fiscal man- times over the course of the war. ing to the amendment: NAY agement, physical and mental health, self-effi- Mr. Speaker, the history of Fairfax County is Roll no. 556—H. Con. Res. 71—On agree- cacy, and more. These programs provide an intimately intertwined with the history of the ing to the amendment: YEA invaluable service to the youth of Newport United States. Although the founders of this Roll no. 557—H. Con. Res. 71—On agree- News. County could not have known the future that ing to the resolution: NAY Mr. Speaker, as the Newport News Alum- awaited their holdings, I suspect the evolution Roll no. 55—H.R. 1858—On motion to sus- nae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority from a rural farming community to today’s sub- pend the rules and pass the bill: YEA celebrates this exciting milestone, its members urban community of over 1 million would Roll no. 559—H.R. 2464—On motion to can feel affirmed that these past 80 years of please them greatly. Fairfax County has con- suspend the rules and pass the bill: YEA fellowship and outreach have left the Newport sistently been rated among the best places in f News community stronger and more united the country in which to live, work, raise a fam- than it otherwise would have been. I would ily and start a business. Indeed, it stands as HONORING THE 80TH ANNIVER- like to congratulate Chapter President Joyce an example of a community that consistently SARY OF THE DELTA SIGMA Melvin-Jones and all of the members of the sees beyond the years. I was proud to serve THETA SORORITY’S NEWPORT Newport News sisterhood on this special oc- it on the Board of Supervisors and have been NEWS ALUMNAE CHAPTER casion. proud to represent it in this body. I ask my col- f leagues to join me in congratulating Fairfax HON. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT County on this important anniversary. RECOGNIZING THE 275TH ANNIVER- OF VIRGINIA f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SARY OF FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIR- GINIA CIVIL RIGHTS Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY SPEECH OF today to honor the 80th anniversary of Delta OF VIRGINIA HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN Sigma Theta Sorority’s Newport News Alum- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF SOUTH CAROLINA nae Chapter. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded in Tuesday, October 24, 2017 1913 by 22 students attending Howard Univer- Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Monday, October 23, 2017 sity. These women all saw education and to recognize a momentous anniversary. This Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Rep- community service as the key to pushing for- year marks the 275th anniversary of Fairfax resentative VEASEY, and our colleague Con- ward the cause of civil rights and progress for County, which I am proud to represent in this gresswoman EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, for join- the African American community, and that chamber and which I represented prior to my ing me at the Center for African American mission remains strong to this day. Today, election to this body for 14 years on the Fair- Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington Delta Sigma Theta has grown to an organiza- fax County Board of Supervisors, including last Thursday evening. It was a wonderful ex- tion with over 250,000 members and over 940 five years as Chairman. perience for me and President Vistasp local chapters operating all over the United In 1737, Lord Thomas Fairfax of Cameron Karbhari, Dr. Jason Skelton and my longtime States and the world. took possession of a piece of land that in- friend Dr. Marvin Delaney were perfect hosts. The Newport News Alumnae Chapter was cluded all of what is now Loudoun, Arlington Earlier this month, Sergeant La David T. originally charted in 1937 as the Beta Kappa and Fairfax Counties in addition to the cities of Johnson died a hero’s death in a distant land Chapter. It was then changed to the Gamma Falls Church, Fairfax and Alexandria. At the on a mission few Americans know about or Iota Sigma Chapter in 1947 before officially time, all of this land was part of Prince William understand. becoming the Newport News Alumnae Chap- County. Installing his cousin William as the This weekend, his grieving family, including ter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 1960. The managing agent for that land, Lord Fairfax de- his pregnant wife, took him to his final resting VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:38 Oct 25, 2017 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A24OC8.034 E24OCPT1 E1420 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 24, 2017 place in Florida. Sgt. Johnson’s tragic death States House of Representatives join me in and James Saville on the very special occa- leaves this young family fatherless. congratulating her for earning this outstanding sion of their 50th wedding anniversary. The Mr. Speaker, in his Second Inaugural ad- award and in wishing her nothing but contin- couple married on August 19, 1967 and re- dress, President Abraham Lincoln called on ued success. sides in Mount Ayr, Iowa. our nation to endeavor ‘‘to care for him who f Marilyn and James’ lifelong commitment to shall have borne the battle and for his widow each other and their family truly embodies and his orphan.