Congressman Gerry Connolly joined Governor-elect Bob McDonnell Thursday on a tour of Northern Virginia homeless shelter and praised McDonnell for choosing the shelter as one of the stops on his statewide pre-inaugural community service initiatives tour.

During the one-hour tour of the Carpenter’s Homeless Shelter, McDonnell, Connolly, Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, and other local officials  were briefed by Executive Director Fran Becker and other shelter staff, visited with clients, and helped make grilled cheese sandwiches in the kitchen for the lunch meal.

“I applaud Governor-elect McDonnell for helping to highlight the issue of homelessness in Northern Virginia and the importance of responding to this challenge,” Connolly said.  “Ninety percent of the homeless population served by the Carpenter’s Shelter find housing, become gainfully employed, and return to productive lives.  These are investments with a high rate of return for our community.”

Connolly congratulated McDonnell and wished him well as he prepares to take office on Saturday.  Connolly also noted that “Bob McDonnell makes a heck of a grilled cheese sandwich.”

During his tenure as Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Congressman Connolly was a strong advocate for programs that helped families and individuals move out of homeless status.

In Fairfax, Connolly hosted a summit on homelessness, adopted the goal of ending homelessness in 10 years, and expanded affordable housing in the county, which he called a big factor in assisting families and individuals in regaining a solid footing in society.