WASHINGTON, DC – At its Annual Membership and Awards Luncheon, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), a nonprofit association of over 300 area elected officials, presented Arlington County Board Member Mary Hynes with the organization’s highest honor. Hynes received COG’s Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award for her leadership at the regional level, including her service as Chairman of the COG Region Forward Coalition and her work on the Metro Board of Directors.
In presenting the award, COG Board Chairwoman Karen Young of the City of Frederick Board of Aldermen said that Hynes’ work “greatly benefits your constituents in Arlington County and residents of the entire region.”
pictured: COG Executive Director Chuck Bean, Arlington County Board Member Mary Hynes, Gaithersburg Council Member Cathy Drzyzgula (2013 COG President) and Frederick City Board of Aldermen President Pro Tem (2013 COG Chairwoman)
Hynes’ long career in public service began as member of the Arlington School Board. She was first elected to the County Board in 2007, and she has been a champion for connecting development and affordable housing to sound transportation planning. She has also played a key role in promoting COG’s Region Forward vision, the Transportation Planning Board’s upcoming Regional Transportation Priorities Plan, and Metro’s Momentum vision.
The Scull Award is presented annually to a local, state or federal elected official for outstanding service to the metropolitan Washington region. It is named after the late Montgomery County Councilmembers, who were strong supporters of COG and regional cooperation.
Also honored today was the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region. They were given the 2013 Regional Partnership Award commending their critical work, such as initiating a housing study, developed by Urban Institute and in partnership with COG, which will provide a comprehensive analysis of the region’s housing system from homeless shelters to affordable homeownership programs. They also partnered with the District of Columbia to found The City Fund, and opened the Navy Yard Relief Fund, which supports the victims’ families of this year’s tragedy at Navy facilities in the Capital. COG Executive Director Chuck Bean noted these achievements and the Foundation’s contributions to COG’s vision for the Washington area, Region Forward.
pictured: COG Executive Director Chuck Bean, Gaithersburg Council Member Cathy Drzyzgula (2013 COG President), Community Foundation President Terri Lee Freeman and Frederick City Board of Aldermen President Pro Tem (2013 COG Chairwoman)
Every year, COG gives the Regional Partnership Award to organizations or individuals who have worked with COG to improve the quality of life for area residents.
The Council of Governments also elected its 2014 corporate officers. Loudoun County Supervisor Matthew Letourneau was elected President, while Mayor of College Park, MD Andrew Fellows and District of Columbia Administrator Allen Lew were both elected as Vice President. Allison Silberberg, Vice-Mayor of Alexandria, VA, will serve as Secretary-Treasurer.