Renamings Of 2 Fairfax County Board Districts Recommended

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A Fairfax County committee's final report on renaming Board of Supervisors districts recommends the board consider renaming Lee and Sully districts and not rename Mount Vernon, Mason and Springfield districts.

Following the Fairfax County's redistricting process, the redistricting advisory committee was tasked with recommending if five local election districts — Lee, Sully, Mount Vernon, Mason and Springfield — should be renamed. The final decisions on renaming districts lies with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Braddock, Providence, Hunter Mill and Dranesville District were not considered for renaming.

The recommendations report was finalized at the committee's last meeting on Tuesday. The recommendation to consider renaming the Lee and Sully Districts noted Sully Historic Site was once a plantation that had enslaved African Americans. The report noted "historical record is somewhat inconclusive" on whether Lee District is named for Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee or a member of the Lee family.

"However, consideration should be given to a name change given the context of all the Confederate names that are in use within Fairfax County and the significance of the Lee name to our area," the report stated.

Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk started discussions about the Lee District's name following the death of George Floyd and protests against police brutality, according to the Washington Post. Lusk told the Washington Post there has been more support for changing the Lee District's name than opposition from residents. He said potential new names for the district could include Franconia, Huntley, Laurel Grove and Dogue Creek.

In the Lee District, the Fairfax County School Board renamed Robert E. Lee High School to John R. Lewis High School. The Fairfax County Park Authority modified the name of Robert E. Lee Rec Center to Lee District Rec Center.

"I look forward to reviewing the Redistricting Committee's recommendations on renaming the Lee District," said Lusk via social media. "I will then share my personal preference based on what we’ve learned over this year-long process, and the Board will make a final decision on any proposed changes."

Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith told the Washington Post she is open to the renaming and will want to hear what residents think.

Mount Vernon and Mason were reviewed for renaming by the committee due to their association with slavery. Mount Vernon was the estate of George Washington and enslaved hundreds of people. Mason refers to George Mason, another Founding Father who had slaves.

The report notes there was no committee or public support on record for renaming the Mount Vernon and Mason Districts. Public comments on the Mount Vernon District noted George Washington's contributions to the nation, Mount Vernon being a key landmark, Mount Vernon's work to tell all of its history and include a slave memorial, and the distinction between Founding Fathers and the Confederacy.

The committee also voted 12-5 to recommend against renaming the Springfield District. The district had been up for consideration based on geographical relevance and connections with slavery, but the committee determined a renaming isn't warranted because the factors don't apply to the district.

Separately, the county will consider renaming its portions of Lee Highway (Route 29) and Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway (Route 50) due to their Confederate references. The county's Confederate Names Task Force recommended renaming the highways and provided potential names.