Recognizing the 2023 Fairfax County Design and Environmental Achievement Awardees

Floor Speech

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Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recipients of the 2023 Fairfax County Design and Environmental Achievement Awards.

This annual event celebrates Environmental Excellence awardees, Friends of Trees awardees, as well as James M. Scott Exceptional Design awardees. Each of these three awards celebrate dedicated individuals, county employees, and organizations or businesses who have made a lasting impact in our community.

The Environmental Excellence Awards recognize individual county residents, county employees, and organizations or businesses who advance or support the county's environmental goals and policies, dedicate personal time and expertise beyond their normal fiscal and civic responsibilities, and demonstrate leadership within the community. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following:

Individual County Resident Category: Mei Torrey, Langley High School

County Employee Category: Craig Carinci, Director of Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Stormwater Planning Division (retired); Joseph Gorney, Principal Environmental Planner with the Department of Planning and Development, Environmental Policy and Plan Development Branch; Hugh Whitehead, Urban Forest Management Division (retired)

Organization and Business Category: Trace--The Zero Waste Store, Vienna; Montebello Condominium Unit Owners Association, Grounds Committee

Since 1999, the Friends of Trees Awards have highlighted exceptional, outstanding, and innovative tree conservation actions in Fairfax County that meet one or more criteria: to protect and preserve existing trees and associated habitats, to increase the urban tree canopy and its related habitats, to educate and inspire people to plant more trees and properly maintain them, and to convey an understanding of the value and benefits of trees. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following recipients:

Individual County Resident Category: Steve Lagerfeld, McLean Trees Foundation; Jim McGlone, Virginia Department of Forestry (retired); Bob Vickers, Tree Commission

Non-profit Citizens Group Category: McLean Citizens Association, Environment, Parks and Recreation Committee

Non-profit Business Category: Inova Health Systems Office of Sustainability

Schools Category: Fairhill Elementary School, FCPS; Liberty Middle School, FCPS

Development Awardee: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid- Atlantic States

Established in 1984, the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards recognize achievement in the total design of a building and its site. The awards aim to raise awareness of outstanding planning and design projects among design professionals and the general public. It is with great pride that I include in the Record the names of the following recipients:

Honor Award: G+G House, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect; Capital One Hall, HGA, Architect

Merit Award: Spring Mill House, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect; The Residence at Colvin Run, Architecture, Incorporated

Honorable Mention: 1800 Tysons Amenity, WDG Interior Architecture; Lorton Community Center and Library, Grimm + Parker Architects; The Crossroads Building at the Langley School, CGS Architects

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the 2023 Fairfax County Design and Environmental Achievement awardees and thank them for their impact on our community. Their efforts, which are deserving of our highest praise, provide immeasurable benefits to their fellow residents and serve as a reminder of why Fairfax County remains such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding this group of remarkable citizens.

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