The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANK VAJDA
_____
HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Friday, November 5, 2021
Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Frank Vajda, a dedicated public servant who passed away on January 27, 2021, at the age of 84.
Frank Vajda grew up in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and went on to attend Rutgers University on a full academic scholarship. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering which he used throughout his 28 years of service in the United States Air Force. His military assignments included the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, the Los Alamos, NV Test Site, the Air Force Institute of Technology, the Defense Nuclear Agency, two tours at the Pentagon and a tour with the Foreign Technology Division, where he met his future wife, Judith.
After retiring from the Air Force, Frank and Judith relocated to Fairfax County where he became very active in community activities. Frank quickly got involved with his local civic association, the Court of Camelot Civic Association, where he went on to serve as president. He also founded the Camelot annual holiday charity fund drive which raised thousands of dollars for the Children's Hospital. Frank's years of dedication to the Court of Camelot was recognized in 2016, as Frank was named a Knight of Camelot by the civic association.
In addition to his work with the Civic Association, Frank served on the Camelot Neighborhood Watch Group, which is the oldest continuing Neighborhood Watch in the nation. He organized and promoted the first park watch group at Pine Ridge, a local neighborhood park, and because of his public safety efforts, the Park Authority, the Fairfax County Police, and the Rose Purple have established the countywide PARKWATCH system.
Frank dedicated countless hours to the Fairfax County Parks, starting with his time as a member of the Steering Committee for the Friends of Mason District Park. He went on to serve as a park volunteer for numerous festivals and events and was selected as the Mason District Representative to the Public Safety and Park Bond Referendum Committee for his dedication to safety during all park events and activities. In 2001, Frank was appointed to the Park Authority Board where he dutifully represented Mason District for 16 years.
Public service was at the core of who Frank was. Although he did not do any of this for the recognition, his dedication to his community earned him numerous awards, including the 1998 Elly Doyle Park Service Award and the Mason District Council of Civic Associations' Man of the Year award.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Frank Vajda. His leadership and commitment to public service and safety was inspirational, and he will be missed by all who knew him. I also extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Judith, and his faithful companion, Jake.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 195
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