Wesley Housing’s 25th Honored with Congressional Proclamation

With over a hundred Wesley Housing Supporters gathered at the Washington Golf & Country Club for a Gala 25th Celebration, Congressman Thomas M. Davis read a Congressional Proclamation recognizing 25 years of service to the community.

Guests at the September 21st celebration included board members, past presidents, individuals and church supporters, corporate sponsors, Fairfax County representatives and elected officials.

A reception with music was followed by dinner and special 25-year awards. Wesley Housing presented the 25th Anniversary Benevolence Award to the late Mary Kay Rumph, recognizing the donation of her former home to Wesley Housing. Fairfax County received the 25th Anniversary Community Partner Award, for 25 years of financial and technical support. The Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation was awarded the Lynch Family Lifetime Achievement Award, for ongoing support that enabled Wesley Housing to restructure and position its management team to meet the challenges of the future.

Karl Bren of the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) presented Wesley with an achievement award for its work over the past 25 years. Fairfax County has since written a resolution, honoring Wesley Housing for its quarter century of service.

The proclamation was  submitted into the Congressional Record on September 21, 2000 by Congressmen James Moran and Thomas Davis.

Congressional Proclamation

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and Representative Thomas Davis, I rise today to recognize the Wesley Housing Development Corporation on 25 years of service.

We are all aware of the national problem that is especially acute in Washington and other metropolitan areas. The booming economy has severely tightened the rental market, putting low and moderate rental properties out of reach for scores of our citizens.

True to its mission, Wesley Housing has pioneered affordable housing solutions that have stabilized and strengthened families, neighborhoods and entire communities throughout Northern Virginia.

Additionally, through its efforts to empower these residents, it has formed partnerships with area institutions of higher learning to assist residents in acquiring the necessary skills and training central to competing in this new age of information and technology.

Many of our colleagues here in Congress have espoused the notion of bridging the digital divide.

Mr. Speaker, it is through community efforts as demonstrated by the Wesley Housing Development Corporation that we are able to achieve this reality.

During 25 years of service, it has remained true to one general theme, which has been vital to its success; everyone counts.

Over these ears, it has served over 7,000 residents including the elderly, physically disabled persons, those living with HIV and AIDS and those representing a broad spectrum of ethnic backgrounds.

Mr. Speaker, we take great pride in commending the Wesley Housing Development Corporation on a job well done during its 25 years of service.

Thanks to the men and women of this Corporation who have answered the call of duty for our most needy citizens, our outlook for tomorrow is much brighter