Press Releases

Yesterday the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, with premier partner Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and co-hosts Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, Prince William Chamber of Commerce, and Northern Virginia Regional Commission, hosted the 8th Annual Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit, sponsored by Dominion Energy.

More than 200 business, government, and community leaders from across the region gathered for the sold-out Summit at Marymount University – Ballston Center. The program began with a moderated discussion with Arlington County Board Vice-Chair Libby Garvey, Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair at-Large Ann B. Wheeler, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall, and City of Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. NBC Washington’s News4 Today Anchor Jummy Olabanji moderated the program.

The regional elected officials discussed commercial office vacancy, affordable housing, Metro, child care, and economic and workforce development. President of Dominion Energy Virginia Ed Baine expressed how pleased he was for the elected leaders to have this conversation, noting in his opening remarks that “this forum is a great sign of regional cooperation.”

In discussing the future of office spaces in the wake of historically high vacancy rates, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson noted that “returning to the office isn’t about just returning to the physical office space. It’s more about collaboration. They are returning for meetings, for collaboration space. The future will be about spaces for people to come to work together.”

While discussing affordable housing, Prince William County Board of Supervisors At-Large Ann Wheeler stated that “local elected officials always have to be asking ourselves, ‘How do we make it easier to work and do business here?’ We have to make affordable housing a priority. Businesses won’t want to come here if people can’t afford to live here.”

On the subject of Metro funding, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall articulated that “the federal workforce in the region relies on Metro. Moving the federal government’s workforce means that Metro is important to U.S. public policy. And yet, Metro is still the only major transportation network that does not have a dedicated source of revenue. We need a dedicated source of revenue from Virginia, a dedicated source from other jurisdictions and a huge influx of funds from the Federal government.”

While discussing child care and attracting workers to the region, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay noted “there are 130,000 open jobs in the Commonwealth. Affordable housing is a major issue for attracting workers, but affordability overall is an issue. We need to look across the board. Affordability is an ecosystem, and affordability of child care is part of that ecosystem.” He added that “an investment in our kids is an investment in our economy.”

Shifting gears to workforce development and expanding on Chair McKay’s statistic, Arlington County Board Vice-Chair Libby Garvey said that “We have got to get everybody into this workforce. Nowadays we have to train young people for jobs that don’t exist yet, but we have the ability to do that, by training them to think, to be intelligent and adaptable.”

Following the Panel Discussion, U.S. Senator Mark Warner delivered the keynote address, discussing his efforts in the U.S. Senate to affect policy regarding home ownership, transportation, and investments into human capital.

He also took questions from Arlington Chamber President & CEO Kate Bates, and returned to the topics discussed by the local elected officials. On the subject of commercial office vacancy, he insisted that “We need to do more to give incentives to bring people back into the office,” while noting that the current economic conditions have been a “perfect storm” for moves toward hybrid work and high vacancy rates for commercial offices.

Senator Warner also praised the dialogue between the local elected officials, stating that “You rarely see this quality of local elected officials anywhere.”

This was the eighth in a series of summits started in 2016, as a collaboration between chambers of commerce from across Northern Virginia.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner joined Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), and others to urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enforce its existing regulations regarding consent for receiving telemarketing calls, also known as robocalls. The letter also asks the FCC to issue guidance along the lines of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent Business Guidance restating the FCC’s long-held requirements for these unwanted telemarketing calls. By issuing guidance similar to the FTC’s, the FCC will assist telemarketers and sellers in complying with these requirements. 

“While the consideration of new regulations may be appropriate in some instances, we believe that the FCC’s current regulations already prohibit many of the activities that lead to the proliferation of unwanted telemarketing calls,” wrote the Senators. “Both the regulations issued in 2003 delineating the rules for telemarketers to obtain consent for calls to lines subscribed to the Do Not Call Registry, and those issued in 2012 governing consent to receive telemarketing calls made with an artificial or prerecorded voice or an automated telephone dialing system, clearly set out the types of protections intended by Congress to eliminate unwanted telemarketing calls.”

The Senators concluded, “As Congress instructed the FCC ‘to maximize consistency with the rule promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission’ relating to the implementation of the Do-Not-Call Registry, we respectfully urge the FCC to issue a guidance along the lines of the FTC’s recent Business Guidance restating its long-held requirements for these unwanted telemarketing calls. As inconsistent rules governing the same activity would be problematic, by issuing guidance similar to the FTC’s, the FCC will assist telemarketers and sellers in complying with these requirements.”

Sen. Warner, a former cell phone entrepreneur, has been active in fighting robocalls for many years. He sponsored the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act to give regulators – including the FCC – more time to find scammers, increase civil forfeiture penalties, require service providers to adopt call authentication and blocking, and bring relevant federal agencies and state attorneys general together to address impediments to criminal prosecution of robocallers. Former President Trump signed the TRACED Act into law in 2019. In July, he applauded new efforts from the FTC to crack down on spam calls.

In addition to Sens. Warner, Lujan, and Markey, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Gary Peters (D-MI). This letter is endorsed by Appleseed, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Electronic Privacy Information Center, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, National Consumers League, Public Citizen, Public Knowledge, and U.S. PIRG.

 Full text of the letter is available here and below. 

Dear Chairwoman Rosenworcel:

We are heartened that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering ways to curtail the number of unwanted telemarketing calls—currently over 1.25 billion every month—in a proceeding pending under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). As the Commission recognizes, the continued onslaught of illegal calls threatens the trustworthiness and usefulness of our nation’s telephone system.

While the consideration of new regulations may be appropriate in some instances, we believe that the FCC’s current regulations already prohibit many of the activities that lead to the proliferation of unwanted telemarketing calls. Both the regulations issued in 2003 delineating the rules for telemarketers to obtain consent for calls to lines subscribed to the Do Not Call Registry, and those issued in 2012 governing consent to receive telemarketing calls made with an artificial or prerecorded voice or an automated telephone dialing system, clearly set out the types of protections intended by Congress to eliminate unwanted telemarketing calls. Both of these regulations allow robocalls calls only if the call recipients sign a written agreement relating to calls from a single seller. 

Additionally, the FCC’s 2003 regulation for telemarketing calls to lines registered on the Do Not Call Registry requires that the “signed, written agreement” must be “between the consumer and the seller.” This requirement provides two protections. First, it means that the seller, not a telemarketer or a lead generator, or anyone other than the seller, or the agent of the seller, must be party to the agreement with the consumer. Second, it limits the calls that are covered by the agreement to calls related only to the seller that was the party to the agreement. Enforcement of the current limitations applicable to agreements providing consent for telemarketing calls under the existing regulations would eliminate the sale and trading of these consents which have led to the proliferation of unwanted telemarketing robocalls. 

Moreover, as many of these agreements are entered into online, current federal law requires specific protections for consumers receiving writings through electronic records in the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (the E-Sign Act). One example of these protections in the E-Sign Act is the prohibition of oral communication as a substitute for a writing. Although telemarketers routinely ignore the requirements of the E-Sign Act, the legislation’s mandate for E-Sign consent before writings can be provided in electronic records in 15 U.S.C. § 7001(c) is fully applicable.

Finally, as Congress instructed the FCC “to maximize consistency with the rule promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission” relating to the implementation of the Do-Not-Call Registry, we respectfully urge the FCC to issue a guidance along the lines of the FTC’s recent Business Guidance restating its long-held requirements for these unwanted telemarketing calls. As inconsistent rules governing the same activity would be problematic, by issuing guidance similar to the FTC’s, the FCC will assist telemarketers and sellers in complying with these requirements. This guidance should also emphasize that the obligations imposed by the E-Sign Act apply when these agreements are entered into online.

We appreciate your work to curb unwanted and illegal robocalls. Issuing guidance that emphasizes the meaningful requirements of current regulations as well as the requirements of the federal E-Sign Act will go a long way to reduce the number of unwanted robocalls. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Street sweeping removes accumulated debris and pollutants such as sand, salt, metals, petroleum products and bacteria before they wash into streams, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Neighborhoods in Arlington are swept four times a year in August, October, April and June.

Street sweeping hours are from approximately 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Be sure to move your car to a driveway, garage or non-sweeping street on your civic association’s scheduled street sweeping day. Arlington County will not issue parking fees for street sweeping purposes.

If you have any trees on your property that overhang to the curb, try to prune any low hanging limbs. Do not prune any limbs between the sidewalk and the curb as these may be publicly owned trees.

Schedule for August 7–11

Street sweeping will occur in the following neighborhoods next week:

Monday, August 7

Clarendon-Courthouse

Colonial Village

Lyon Village

North Highlands

North Rosslyn

Radnor/Fort Myer Heights

Tuesday, August 8

Arlington Mill

Barcroft

Buckingham

Douglas Park

Forest Glen

Wednesday, August 9

Claremont

Columbia Forest

Fairlington

Green Valley

Thursday, August 10

Donaldson Run

Dover Crystal

Old Dominion

Riverwood

Friday, August 11

Arlingwood

Bellevue Forest

Country Club Hills/Gulf Branch

Old Glebe

Rivercrest

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), a leading nonprofit organization committed to alleviating long term food insecurity in Arlington County and Northern Virginia, is proud to announce its adoption of WhatsApp, a popular and free messaging app, to strengthen communication with clients. This strategic move aims to provide clients with easier access to vital information and a direct line to AFAC staff, empowering them to overcome communication barriers that may lie in the way of receiving food assistance.

In an increasingly interconnected world, digital communication platforms have become indispensable tools for organizations seeking to enhance outreach and support to their communities. By leveraging the power of WhatsApp, AFAC seeks to streamline its services and foster seamless interactions with clients. The implementation of this user friendly platform will enable clients to access AFAC information and connect with staff members effortlessly, simplifying the process of seeking assistance and support.

Key benefits of the WhatsApp integration include:

• Instant Access to Information: Through WhatsApp, clients can instantly receive important updates, program announcements, and operational changes. This real-time communication ensures that clients are promptly informed about AFAC’s services as well as any additional client-related updates.
• Efficient Support: Clients can now communicate directly with AFAC staff members to address their queries, concerns, and feedback. The instant messaging feature ensures that clients receive timely and personalized responses, strengthening the bond between AFAC and the community it serves.
• Equitable Access: Inclusivity promotes effective and equitable communication with clients from various cultural and economic backgrounds:
• WhatsApp supports multiple languages, allowing AFAC to cater to the diverse linguistic needs of the community. More than half of AFAC families primarily speak a language other than English.
• Many AFAC families cannot afford a traditional cell phone plan. Instead, they conduct essential communication via WhatsApp with an internet connection.
• Popular among international communities, new arrivals to Arlington have access to WhatsApp before they can secure another method of communication. Now, they can reach AFAC right away.
• Enhanced Privacy: WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption ensures that client interactions remain secure and confidential, fostering trust and confidence in the services provided by AFAC.

“By embracing WhatsApp, AFAC is meeting people where they are and reducing barriers to our services,” emphasizes AFAC’s Director of Client Services, Lily Duran. “It means we can communicate with clients via the method they prefer, that they’re familiar with, and that they can afford.”

To connect with AFAC on WhatsApp, clients can simply add the number 571-384-1448 to their contacts, and text either “food” or “comida” to get started.

ABOUT AFAC: The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is an independent, community-based non-profit food pantry that provides dignified access to nutritious supplemental groceries to neighbors in need. Over 3,200 families are coming to AFAC each week at 20 distribution sites throughout Arlington County, Alexandria, and Falls Church to access fresh and healthy supplemental groceries, freeing up tightly stretched funds for child and health care, rent, and other financial demands. For more information, visit www.afac.org and follow @afacfeeds on social media.

Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) announced today that Virginia’s tourism industry generated $30.3 billion in visitor spending in 2022, an increase of 20.3% from 2021, exceeding 2019 levels by 4.4%.

The tourism industry in Virginia directly supported 210,721 jobs in 2022, an increase of more than 25,000 jobs relative to 2021, but still down about 30,000 jobs relative to 2019.

Travelers spent $83 million per day in Virginia, up from $69 million in 2021. Virginia visitors directly drove nearly $2.2 billion in state and local tax revenues, an increase of 19.1% from $1.8 billion in 2021. Overnight visitation to Virginia increased by 10% to 42.2 million visitors, up from 38.3 million in 2020.

“Travel and tourism play an essential role in Virginia’s economy,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Reviving our tourism industry was a crucial goal to our economic recovery, and our focused efforts on employment and business growth has proven to be successful for the Commonwealth.”

The Commonwealth has recovered significantly from the pandemic, but the recovery has been uneven across geography and travel sectors. While the initial onset of the pandemic had a devastating impact on the travel industry in 2020, domestic leisure travel saw a robust return in 2021 as travelers sought outdoor experiences and drivable destinations. Virginia is uniquely positioned geographically and is within a day’s drive from nearly half of the U.S. population. As road trips boomed, many Virginia regions were able to reap the benefits of increased travel.

The leading tourism sectors in Virginia are recreation and food & beverage, which have exceeded 2019 levels by 10%. Transportation, specifically air travel, has had a slower rebound but grew the fastest in 2022, helping the Commonwealth’s regions that are more dependent on air travel.

“We are thrilled to see visitor spending in Virginia return to pre-pandemic numbers,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “The rate of spending recovery and growth proves how resilient Virginia’s tourism industry is. We look forward to seeing increased travel and a continued recovery in 2023.”

With the additional marketing dollars that came through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Virginia and its localities continued to see growth in visitor spending. Virginia Tourism, specifically, utilized recovery grant funds to advertise in new markets and reached nearly 15 million more households in 2022 relative to 2021.

“By reaching more travelers in new markets, Virginia continues to raise awareness and consideration as a premier travel destination,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “This awareness results in increased bookings and arrivals, which, in turn, translates to increased visitor spending across the state.”

Virginia Tourism Corporation receives its annual economic impact data from Tourism Economics, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association. The information is based on domestic visitor spending (travelers from within the United States) from per-person trips taken 50 miles or more away from home. Detailed economic impact data is available at vatc.org/research/economicimpact.

Today, Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Don Beyer (VA-08) reintroduced The Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act following the Supreme Court’s decision to block the Biden Administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan.

Since 1980, the cost of college has tripled while federal aid and wages have not kept up. Student debt borrowers today collectively owe more than $1.6 trillion while a majority of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Biden v. Nebraska blocked the Biden Administration’s plan to forgive $10,000 of student loan debt for non-Pell Grant recipients and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients making less than $125,000. 90% of this debt relief  would have directly benefited borrowers earning less than $75,000 per year.

According to a recent poll, only 37% of Americans have confidence in the Supreme Court while 68% support term limits for Supreme Court justices. The Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act will restore judicial independence by creating an 18-year term limit for justices appointed after the law is enacted. After their 18-year terms, justices would then be allowed to continue their service on lower courts.

“The Supreme Court’s decision to block student debt relief will put many hardworking Americans at risk of default and will be a disaster for our economy,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. “Our Founding Fathers intended for lifetime appointments to ensure impartiality. The decision today demonstrates how justices have become partisan and out of step with the American public. I’m proud to reintroduce The Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act to implement term limits to rebalance the Court and stop extreme partisanship.”

“For many Americans, the Supreme Court is a distant, secretive, unelected body that can make drastic changes in their lives without any accountability,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Recent partisan decisions by the Supreme Court that destroyed historic protections for reproductive rights, voting rights and more have undermined public trust in the Court – even as inappropriate financial relationships between justices and conservative donors raised new questions about its integrity. I have long supported reforming the Supreme Court to limit terms to end lifetime tenures and ensure the Court remains a fair and impartial arbiter of justice. Our bill would achieve this and help restore balance to a heavily politicized Court.”

“After decades of controversial, highly politicized confirmation hearings and partisan gamesmanship over lifetime seats on the bench, the Supreme Court is facing a crisis of legitimacy. This bill to establish term limits is one of the critical actions necessary to depoliticize the Court and restore public trust in the institution,” said Rep. Barbara Lee. “I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill with Reps. Khanna, Beyer, and Tlaib to set term limits for Justices and finally end the arbitrary nature of Supreme Court vacancies.”

“My residents are demanding that I move with the urgency this moment calls for,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib. “We cannot allow six extremist, unelected activists to continue to do the bidding of billionaire Republican donors from the bench. This illegitimate Supreme Court has become a cesspool of corruption and is in urgent need of reform. It’s time to end lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court.”

“It’s absolutely clear that the Supreme Court is in desperate need of reform including an expansion and rebalance of the Court, a ban on financial conflicts of interest and code of ethics, to term limits,” said Rep. Adam Schiff. “This bill would provide a practical solution to address these serious concerns and restore a sense of fairness and accountability to a deeply politicized Court. It is time to ensure that the highest court of our land reflects the highest values and aspirations of the American people.”

“In the modern era, lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court have grown longer and more politicized, limiting oversight and accountability,” said Rep. Katie Porter. “As the branch closest to the people, Congress has a constitutional responsibility to enact checks on the justices, who are unelected. I’m backing term limits for the Supreme Court to restore confidence and fairness to our nation’s highest judicial body.”

“Lifetime appointments for Supreme Court Justices raise the stakes, erase accountability, and imbue partisan gamesmanship into every opening on the Supreme Court,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “The Court’s recent actions attacking women’s reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention and long standing environmental laws show how our nation’s highest court has concentrated their hold on power over the lives of Americans. Implementing term limits for Supreme Court Justices will go a long way to curtail the politicization of the Supreme Court and rebalance it with the will of the American people.”

“Members of Congress, presidents, and vice presidents already have term limits: they’re called elections,” said Rep. John Garamendi. “In addition to other reforms needed to restore ethics and accountability at the Supreme Court, we need term limits for justices who serve on the highest court in the land for life. Short of amending the judiciary brand article of the U.S. Constitution, Congressman Khanna’s bill provides a solution to hold Supreme Court justices to account so they can serve out their lifetime appointments on other federal courts after 18 years of service.”

“No one in a democracy should possess unchecked power for life, yet that’s exactly what the nine justices have today,” said Gabe Roth, Executive Director of Fix the Court. “Luckily, there’s a popular, apolitical way to fix this: by requiring future justices to take ‘senior status’ after 18 years, at which point they’d fill in at SCOTUS when needed, rotate down to a lower court or retire. This idea forms the basis of Rep. Khanna’s bill, and I’m pleased to support his work to establish fundamental guardrails for the most powerful, least accountable part of our government.”

The Virginia Department of Fire Programs-State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) reminds Virginians ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend that the possession of and selling illegal fireworks is a criminal offense – leave fireworks to the professionals.

In general, any firework that explodes, moves on the ground or in the air, or shoots a projectile is illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Many localities prohibit the sale, possession or use of all fireworks. The State Fire Marshal’s Office advises Virginians to check local ordinances as well as the Statewide Fire Prevention Code prior to purchasing and utilizing fireworks.

“The safest way to celebrate the holiday with fireworks is to attend a professional show,” said Billy Hux, State Fire Marshal. “Improperly handling fireworks can result in catastrophic outcomes including fires and severe injuries.”

Only “permissible fireworks,” as defined in the Code of Virginia, can be legally sold, possessed or used within the Commonwealth. A list of permissible fireworks can be viewed on the VDFP website.

The sale, possession and/or use of any fireworks not classified as permissible is prohibited. Violations can be prosecuted as a Class I Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,500 and/or up to one (1) year in jail. Any illegal fireworks can be confiscated and you can be summoned by a Fire Marshal or Law Enforcement Officer.

If you decide to use permissible fireworks, please follow these important safety procedures:

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap. Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move quickly away from the fireworks device.
• Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water before discarding.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
• Never point or throw fireworks (including sparklers) at anyone.
• Consider safe alternatives to fireworks such as party poppers, bubbles, silly string, or glow sticks.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office will be working over the holiday to ensure the safety of Virginia’s residents and visitors.
For firework safety tips and more information about using fireworks in the Commonwealth, visit the State Fire Marshal’s Guide to Fireworks in the Commonwealth – Virginia Department of Fire Programs (vafire.com).

On June 27, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce held the State of the County & Public Safety Awards, which highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing Arlington, while recognizing those who make Arlington a great place to live, work and do business. Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey gave an address highlighting Arlington’s economic status. The Chamber then honored public safety personnel and first responders from Arlington County’s Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management, and Sheriff’s Office who have exemplified heroic actions and exceptional performance of their duties.

The annual event was back in person for the first time since 2019 and was held at Army Navy Country Club. It was made possible by sponsors including Grand Sponsor VHC Health.

In his State of the County address, County Board Chair Christian Dorsey acknowledged the struggles faced during the pandemic, and noted how the Arlington community has emerged stronger. Dorsey shared that overall, “the State of the County remains excellent.”

He spoke about the partnership the County has developed with Amazon. “Just this month we commemorated the grand opening of HQ2 in National Landing. This was the product of hundreds of millions in private sector investments, but also a considerable amount of public sector investment and involvement. This partnership demonstrates that economic growth doesn’t need to have destructive effects on affordability of a community.”

He also spoke on the strategic partnerships the County has developed to address affordable housing, by collaborating with Amazon “to ensure that there would not be displacement of people as HQ2 opens in National Landing.”

Following his address, he answered questions about how the county is addressing affordable housing, the high office vacancy rate, and the County’s customer service response. On customer service, Dorsey noted that he ultimately “wants to make sure that when people go to the County, even when they don’t get the answer that they wanted, that they still feel heard.” He ended with noting his pride in working with fellow County Board members and County staff in promoting growth and increasing equity in Arlington in his eight years of service.

Following the address, the Public Safety awards, emceed by ABC7/WJLA’s Victoria Sanchez, were presented to Arlington County’s public safety personnel and first responders. Sixteen honorees were recognized for their courageous, and often life-saving, actions in the line of duty and beyond. Leadership of all respective departments submitted nominations for the honorees, based on their performance over the past year.

Among the honorees was Public Safety Telecommunicator at Arlington County Emergency Communications Center, Dina Alkhawaja, who received the Life-Saving award for her heroic acts on March 2, 2023. She witnessed a male collapse and go into cardiac attest while out at a sports bar during her personal time. Dina immediately went into action helping the subject by calling 9-1-1 while simultaneously performing CPR. She was able to re-establish a pulse until the fire department arrived and took care of the male subject. Her quick reaction in recognizing agonal breathing with no pulse prompting CPR, along with her calm demeanor during extreme pressure resulted in saving a life.

The 2023 Public Safety Award honorees are as follows:

Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management

Meritorious Service Award
ECC Shift led by Operations Supervisors Catherine Dawkins & Kristine Mangione

Life-Saving Award
Public Safety Telecommunicator
Dina Alkhawaja

Arlington County Police Department

Meritorious Service Award
Lieutenant Michael Laird

Life-Saving Award
Corporal Thomas DeNoville
Corporal Ryan Williams

Valor Award
Sergeant Jeffrey Lubin
Corporal Shawn Playford
Corporal Davey Tucker Jr.
Officer Patrick Bane
Officer Connor DiVincenzo
Officer Conor Fitzgerald
Officer Quinton Johnson

Arlington County Office of the Sheriff

Meritorious Service Award
Inmate Service Counselor II Camille Watkin

Life-Saving Award
Corporal Ly Phan

Arlington County Fire Department

Meritorious Service Award
Firefighter Kevin Travers

The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating long term food insecurity in Arlington County, proudly announces its 35th Anniversary of serving the community on June 30, 2023. Since its inception in 1988, AFAC has been at the forefront of providing vital food resources to individuals and families in need in Arlington and Northern Virginia, and this milestone is a testament to their unwavering commitment to the community.

AFAC has come a long way since its first recorded weekly client visits in 1993, where 94 families were served at just two distribution sites. Today, the local food bank serves over 3,200 families each week across 20 distribution sites in Arlington County, Alexandria and Falls Church. This substantial increase in service reflects the growing demand for food assistance and the dedicated efforts of AFAC’s staff, volunteers, and generous supporters.

“Our founders saw a need and thought their volunteer work could find a solution,” says Chief Executive Officer Charlie Meng. “Through 9/11, a housing crisis, government shutdowns, COVID-19, and now inflation, AFAC has remained committed to our mission to alleviate food insecurity in Arlington.”

As AFAC commemorates its 35th anniversary, the organization faces new challenges. This year, soaring food prices had a profound impact on AFAC’s operations. The cost of buying food increased significantly, causing more families to access our services, and forcing AFAC to overspend its food purchase budget by three-quarters of a million dollars. Despite this financial strain, AFAC remains committed to its mission and continues to seek solutions to ensure that all the families that come to their doors receive the assistance they need.

To mark this occasion, AFAC is planning a special 35th Anniversary Spring Event on April 18, 2024. The event will aim to celebrate the food bank’s achievements, recognize the invaluable support from volunteers, donors, and community partners over the past 35 years, and bring to light the continuously growing need for food assistance in the community.

“AFAC is not the work of any one person, but the work of 2000 volunteers, 24 staff members, thousands of food donors, and many more who have given their financial support to make sure the least fortunate in our community will have the food they need to sustain their families,” emphasizes Meng. “AFAC’s success is a clear sign that Arlington cares.”

ABOUT AFAC: The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is an independent, community-based non-profit food pantry that provides dignified access to nutritious supplemental groceries to neighbors in need. Over 3,200 families are coming to AFAC each week at 20 distribution sites throughout Arlington County, Alexandria, and Falls Church to access fresh and healthy supplemental groceries, freeing up tightly stretched funds for child and health care, rent, and other financial demands. For more information, visit www.afac.org and follow @afacfeeds on social media.

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) today announced the introduction of bicameral legislation to redesignate the National Historic Site known as “Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial” to its original name “Arlington House.” The bill was cosponsored by Virginia Representatives Bobby Scott, Gerry Connolly, Abigail Spanberger, Jennifer Wexton, and Jennifer McClellan, and by D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Their legislation, reintroduced in the week of Juneteenth, was originally inspired by the request of descendants of people who were enslaved at Arlington House. 

“Today our country and our Commonwealth continue to grapple with the history of racism and slavery. Symbols have power, and as we engage in a long-overdue reexamination of public symbols, we must show that we do not condone the enslavement of human beings or armed rebellion against the United States government,” said Beyer. “Robert E. Lee himself opposed erecting Confederate monuments, and Arlington House has a larger history which deserves memorialization and reflection. It is therefore fitting and just that Congress redesignate Arlington House to more fully reflect the history of the house, which is what our legislation would accomplish.”

“Who we choose to honor on our public buildings is a reflection of our nation’s values. If we continue to honor Confederate leaders who fought to preserve slavery, then we send a mixed message about our commitment to equality. That’s why I’m joining Congressman Beyer in leading this bill to remove Robert E. Lee’s name from Arlington House,” said Kaine. 

Beyer previously met with descendants of both Lee and of people enslaved at Arlington House who support renaming the landmark. Letters and quotes of support for the renaming effort from Arlington House descendants are available here, with a statement from the Arlington Historical Society here, and a letter from the National Parks Conservation Association urging passage of the legislation here.

The mansion, which sits on federal land within Arlington National Cemetery and is administered by the National Park Service, overlooks the Potomac River and the nation’s capital. The house was built by Martha Custis Washington’s grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, as the nation’s first memorial to George Washington, and named “Arlington House.” Later, Custis’ daughter married Robert E. Lee and lived in the home until the Civil War, during which the site was chosen to serve as a national military cemetery in part to prevent Lee from returning. Amid the rise of Lost Cause mythology, Congress passed legislation in 1955 designating the house the “Custis-Lee Mansion” to memorialize Lee, and subsequently amended the official title to “Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial.” 

Beyer and Kaine’s legislation would repeal statutes that memorialized Lee and add a formal historic site designation to the name, making it “the Arlington House National Historic Site.”

Text of the bill is available here.

The National Security Agency (NSA) has selected Marymount University to build and operate a cybersecurity clinic through a $1.5 million grant, covering a two-year timeframe that begins in July 2023. The initiative aims to increase the cybersecurity capabilities of small businesses and nonprofits in the DMV region by helping them prevent, detect and respond to cyber threats.

Marymount, already designated as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), is one of just four institutions nationwide to receive the NSA grant.

“After launching solely as a graduate certificate in 2008, Marymount’s Cybersecurity program has blossomed into a leader in the national capital region, serving students at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels,” said Dr. Irma Becerra, President of Marymount University. “We are at the forefront of innovation, as we help students from all backgrounds and walks of life take the lead on protecting our digital world.”

Every year, cyberattacks result in billions of dollars of damage to the U.S. economy, impacting both individuals and organizations alike. Nearly 43 percent of cyberattacks target small and medium-sized businesses, according to a cybercrime study by Accenture.

“Hackers – whether they are bad actors or operating on behalf of a foreign government – target small businesses because they typically have weaker cybersecurity measures,” explained Dr. Diane Murphy, Director of Marymount University’s School of Technology and Innovation and the project lead for the institution’s cybersecurity clinic initiative. “These businesses are also part of the overall supply chain, and access to their systems can be used to infiltrate government agencies and larger private companies to whom they are connected.”

In the face of these threats, only 14 percent of small and medium-sized businesses are prepared to face cyberattacks. The U.S. Small Business Administration credits this to businesses not being able to afford professional IT solutions, having limited time to devote to cybersecurity or simply not knowing where to begin. Marymount’s cybersecurity clinic aims to provide the remedy to these issues, and will begin with an initial cohort of small businesses and nonprofits in the Arlington community before extending its reach geographically.

In addition, the clinic will give Marymount’s Cybersecurity students the chance to participate in experiential learning opportunities that lead to industry certifications, enhanced training and hands-on experience of foundational cybersecurity skills that include risk management, cryptography and vulnerability testing.

“We are excited for our faculty and students to engage with small businesses and nonprofits, many of which play an integral role in our federal government and supply chain, to increase our national security,” Dr. Murphy added. “On top of helping organizations in our community protect their digital infrastructure and data, our Marymount students can prove themselves ready for employment in any cybersecurity setting, whether in industry or the government.

Leading this Marymount project with Dr. Murphy are co-principal investigators Dr. Andrew Hall, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity, and Dr. Alex Mbaziira, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity. All faculty in the University’s School of Technology and Innovation, within Marymount’s College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology (BILT), will be engaging with their students on this initiative. 

About Marymount University

Marymount University is a nationally ranked, private, doctoral-granting university known for its innovative curriculum. Founded in 1950 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary with its main campus in Arlington, Va., Marymount offers students a unique mix of health, STEM programs and liberal arts fields in an applied curriculum that provides market-driven educational opportunities in a wide range of disciplines at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Marymount has about 4,000 students enrolled, representing 50 states and 70 countries. The University has been consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as having one of the most ethnically and internationally diverse student bodies in the nation.