Recognizing Michael O'reilly As the Rotary Club of Herndon-reston's Citizen of the Year

Floor Speech

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Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Michael O'Reilly as the Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston's Citizen of the Year. Mr. O'Reilly is the 54th recipient of this highest honor, presented annually by the club.

Mike was selected for his many years of tireless service to the town. A former Herndon Mayor and Town Council member, he was committed to using his position as an elected official to better the lives of the people of Herndon. During his term he was able to maintain a high level of service while also accomplishing such things as opening a new Police Station, opening a well-regulated day labor site, and opening a new Senior Center.

After he left elected office, Mr. O'Reilly continued his service to the community. He served five years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). At the time he joined the MWAA Board, Dulles was undergoing major renovations and upgrades, spending roughly two million dollars a day, building a new runway, building an underground rail system, expanding the main terminal, and reconfiguring the entrance and approach roadways to accommodate expected growth.

During his time with MWAA, he was involved in the negotiations for the design, financing, and construction of Phase 1 of the Silver Line Metrorail Project and the procurement and contract award for Phase 2 of that project. The opening of the Herndon Station and the Innovation Station would not have been possible without his tenacity and commitment to his vision of extending rail to Dulles.

In his professional life, Mike is the owner of the O'Reilly Law Firm in Herndon and serves on the Board of Directors of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce. As a leader in the Chamber, he chairs the Herndon Committee, which engages and supports Herndon businesses.

Among his many contributions to the greater community, Mike has worked to prevent and end homelessness in his position as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Fairfax Falls Church Partnership. Under his leadership, Fairfax County was able to reduce the homeless population by 46 percent through collaboration between faith-based groups, service providers, and community volunteers.

Mr. O'Reilly now serves as the Chairman of the Board for Arts Herndon. In this role, he is working to bring a new Art Center to downtown Herndon, aided by a 1.2-million-dollar Fairfax County construction grant that he, in conjunction with the Mayor and Town representatives, worked to obtain.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Michael O'Reilly on this award and thanking him for his committed and selfless service to our community.

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