HONORING THE AWARDEES OF THE ENGLISH EMPOWERMENT CENTER'S 64TH RECOGNITION CEREMONY

On 2026-07-14, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE AWARDEES OF THE ENGLISH EMPOWERMENT CENTER'S 64TH RECOGNITION CEREMONY" in the House.

HONORING THE AWARDEES OF THE ENGLISH EMPOWERMENT CENTER'S 64TH RECOGNITION CEREMONY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E689] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE AWARDEES OF THE ENGLISH EMPOWERMENT CENTER'S 64TH RECOGNITION CEREMONY ______ HON. JAMES R. WALKINSHAW of virginia in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the English Empowerment Center (EEC) and to honor the volunteers, instructors, students, community partners, and others who will be recognized at the 64th EEC Recognition Ceremony. The mission of EEC is to teach adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English in order to empower them to participate more fully and confidently in their communities and in society as a whole. EEC serves low-literacy and limited English language proficient adults with a selection of low-cost, moderately intensive courses to help them transition into the workforce or other educational opportunities. EEC provides the crucial first steps of language and literacy proficiency for workplace, citizenship, and community integration to help adults make measurable improvements in their lives. This past year, they have served over 2,000 adult learners with the help of over 600 volunteers who gave over 27,000 hours of service. Each year EEC recognizes students and members of the community who have contributed their time, energy, and resources to achieving the mission of EEC. EEC will also award the prestigious Patricia M. Donnelly Merit Scholarship, and the inaugural Gerry E. Connolly Empowerment Award. I include in the Record the following names of the 2026 EEC honorees: Community Partners: Amazon; Bailey's Crossroads/Culmore Place-Based Initiative; Dulmore United Methodist Church. Volunteers of the Year: Chris Axarlis; Mary Pat Paris; Marie Tibor. Student Speakers: Henry Herrera; Fatima Pena. Patricia M. Donnelly Merit Scholarship Recipient: Patricia Ramirez Sejas. Gerry E. Connolly Empowerment Award: John V. Thomas. Also, I include in the Record the names of the volunteers who are celebrating service anniversaries with EEC. Volunteer Service Anniversaries: 25 years: Jan Auerbach, and Susan Stillman. 20 years: Nancy Newman, and Naomi Witherspoon. 15 years: Banhi Bhattacharya, Michael Boito, and Janna Unterzuber. 10 years: Christopher Axarlis, Janet Barsy, Paul Cantrell, Elena Gonzalez, Diane Jensen, William Nye, Susan Rose, Karen Rosenthal, Jean Samuel, Sharon Steen, and Gail Zimmerman. 5 years: Brian Brooks, Debby Chrisensen, Robin DeRosa, Leo Dillon, Lisa Esler, Teresa Fralish, Alan Kadrofske, Jill Martin, Mary Anne McDonald, Megann Mielke, Alana Morton, Emma Refuerzo, Elizabeth Stone, CK Tong, and Sari Warren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the English Empowerment Center and in thanking and congratulating each of the honorees of the 64th EEC Recognition Ceremony. I wish all of them great success in their future endeavors. ____________________