Press Releases

Rep. Don Beyer today introduced federal legislation to remove the designation of Arlington House as a memorial to Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The legislation, which was partially inspired by the request of descendants of people who were enslaved at Arlington House, was cosponsored by Virginia Representatives Gerry Connolly and Jennifer Wexton, and by D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

“We are presently engaged in a long-overdue reckoning with the history of racism and slavery in America and in our own community, which has appropriately included a reexamination of public symbols. I absolutely support that process, including actions that make it clear we do not revere Confederate leaders or condone the enslavement of human beings,” said Beyer. “Robert E. Lee himself opposed erecting Confederate monuments, and the site was chosen to punish his insurrection against the lawful government of the United States. Arlington House has a larger history which deserves memorialization and reflection, and it is therefore fitting and just that Congress remove the designation of Arlington House as a Memorial to Robert E. Lee.”

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement on President-elect Joe Biden’s reported decision to nominate Pete Buttigieg, former Mayor of South Bend, IN, to serve as Secretary of Transportation:

“Choosing Pete Buttigieg to serve as Secretary of Transportation is a brilliant and historic appointment. President-elect Joe Biden has again shown his commitment to diversity and made history with the first-ever nomination of an openly gay American to lead a Cabinet department.

Street Guys Hospitality’s Clarendon landmark restaurant, TTT, located at 2900 Wilson Boulevard, 22201, is celebrating the December holiday season with a newly enhanced third floor TTT Rooftop, which is enclosed completely with glass.  Snowy nights will be spectacular this winter, as this lofty heated space also has fresh air ventilation from the louvered blue roof, which can be opened during good weather.  This provides diners with a safer gathering oasis to enjoy spirited cocktails and casual Mexican-inspired fare.  One will find decorative lights, Christmas-inspired accents of evergreen trees, and suspended ornaments.  Prancing reindeer and silver balls highlight the bar and surrounding seating in the expansive space.  This new four-season glass room will serve dinner and weekend bottomless brunch with reservations recommended during the Christmas pop-up.

At TTT Rooftop, one will find winter cocktails and hot toddies with festive names such as the Holiday Spirit of Baileys, whiskey, coffee, white hot chocolate and nutmeg for $12; the Jolly Toddy of honey-lemon tea, cloves, whiskey and cinnamon for $11; the Candy Cane Margarita, Reposoda, tequila, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, peppermint syrup and crushed candy cane for $10; the Winter Mojito, light rum, fresh lime juice, Licor 43 and cacao-mint cream for $12, and a mocktail of Cranberry Apple Cider Punch, apple cider, cranberry juice and ginger syrup for $7.  During TTT’s happy hour, Monday-Friday from 12 Noon to 5 p.m., guests can partake in special pricing with $6 margaritas, $5 red and white sangrias, wines, and draft beers.

Rep. Don Beyer, who represents the Northern Virginia suburbs of the nation’s capital, issued the following statement today on the proposed FY 2022 WMATA budget:

“The proposed WMATA budget cuts would be apocalyptic for Metro service and devastate its workforce. This catastrophe must not be allowed to happen, and Congress can prevent it by passing a new aid package. WMATA is not alone in its massive funding shortfall, which is a direct result of the pandemic. Cuts like this will hit across the country without robust aid for state and local governments and specific targeted funding for transit.

For many Virginians, Thanksgiving is going to look different than in previous years, with social distancing and outdoor meals. But, the rules of the road have not changed – slow down, wear a seatbelt and don’t drive distracted. Whether traveling to the grocery store or to grandma’s house, the same rings true, put your safety and the safety of others first.

“With lighter traffic on the roads, there may be a temptation to speed and a false sense of security that leads to drivers and passengers not wearing their seatbelts,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “This year overall, state police have seen fewer crashes on Virginia highways but those crashes have been more deadly. Making sure you are driving the posted speed limit, driving for conditions and wearing your seatbelt are the best ways to stay safe on the road. Whatever your holiday celebrations look like this year, Virginia State Police want to make sure you arrive at your destination safely.”

On November 18, 2020, leadership of Arlington NAACP was made aware of a disturbing incident involving an Arlington Public School (APS) teacher at H-B Woodlawn who mocked the murder of George Floyd in a chemistry class exercise online.  We are deeply disturbed by the racist and callous nature in which the murder of George Floyd was devalued by a public-school teacher to students.  We are pleased that the principal took swift action to notify families and meet with affected students and that the Superintendent followed up with a letter to APS families with an honest depiction that did not minimize the significance or harm it caused.

This act of racial violence is the latest and most egregious in a progressive pattern of racist incidents occurring within our schools.  We are monitoring these cases and expect that the Superintendent and his leadership team will follow through with appropriate and decisive action involving the teacher, as well as a plan to cultivate an anti-racist culture within APS that will allow students of color to thrive in an emotionally safe learning environment.

Colony Grill, Clarendon’s new family-friendly tavern, which features gracious hospitality and famous “hot oil” bar-style pizzas, will partner this holiday season with Wreaths Across America and Dames for Soldiers to remember, honor and celebrate veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedom. From November 27 through December 31, 2020, the restaurant invites guests to sponsor a veteran’s wreath to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery, and more than 1,600 additional locations across the US. In addition to the new location at 2800 Clarendon Boulevard, Colony Grill has multiple locations across Connecticut and New York participating in this worthy cause. Donations are priced at $5 each. Those who donate will receive an adhesive acrylic wreath in their honor to be placed on the restaurant’s Wall of Heroes.

“This is a small token of thanks to some exceptional Americans who risked it all to defend and protect our country,” said Ken Martin, chief operating officer and co-owner of Colony Grill. “Last year we partnered with Wreaths Across America to remember the fallen and thank military families for their sacrifice and raised more than $5,000, which allowed us to lay dozens of wreaths nationwide. In our second year we hope to double that amount.”

The Board of Directors of A-SPAN, a nonprofit organization that provides life-saving supportive services for vulnerable people, has announced the appointment of Betsy Frantz to the position of President/CEO on a permanent basis. Frantz has served as interim CEO since February 1, 2020, following Kathy Sibert’s retirement after 11 years at the organization.

“Betsy has provided stability and support to A-SPAN’s staff, clients, and Board of Directors during incredibly tumultuous times,” said Tim Denning, Chair of the Board. “The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted our clients and team and Betsy’s leadership has been an anchor since she became Interim CEO in February. We are delighted that she has accepted our offer to transition from the interim role to a permanent position. Her many years of executive leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, combined with her commitment to the Arlington community, make her the clear choice for our organization.”

Virginia Hospital Center (VHC), a community-based hospital providing medical services to the Washington, DC metropolitan area for 75 years, has recently learned of an information security incident experienced by one of its vendors.

Blackbaud, Inc., a world-wide vendor that provides nonprofit and charitable organizations with cloud-based solution services related to donor and fundraising activities, recently informed VHC of an incident in which an unauthorized party gained access to Blackbaud’s systems between February 7 and May 20, 2020. Blackbaud informed VHC that the unauthorized party may have acquired a backup of the database that compromises certain limited elements of VHC’s donor and fundraising information, as may be the case with other nonprofits affected by this incident worldwide.

The Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City is now offering Afternoon Tea, bringing a time-honored tradition at an affordable price – all with safety and the health of guests in mind.

Offered in their fyve restaurant, featuring globally inspired dishes, the hotel’s Afternoon Tea service is available at three price points, perfect for adults and children celebrating a special occasion or looking for a weekend respite from the day-to-day. The selection includes:

Dr. Irma Becerra, President of Marymount University, has announced the addition of softball as a varsity sport, with competition set to begin during the Spring 2022 semester.

“We are tremendously excited to welcome even more Saints athletes to our campus through the addition of softball at Marymount,” President Becerra said. “Through our NCAA Division III athletics programs, our students learn important skills in the areas of leadership, team collaboration and time management. They also demonstrate excellence both when in a Saints uniform and in the classroom, as our teams average a 3.38 GPA.”

Months after their senior year in high school did a 180 degree turn from what they envisioned nearly a year ago for senior year rites, a group of students from Arlington launched the Gen Z Diaries: Senior Edition. Gen Z Diaries: Senior Edition describes themselves as “the Real World (from MTV), but in the 21st century, with social media, at the height of a global pandemic, amid unrest as a result of racial injustice.”

Gen ZDiaries: Senior Edition team has taken control of their narrative in a  new normal by working and planning over the last few months to document their senior year through video vlogs, a socially distanced homecoming game show, and ongoing filming.