[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 172 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO JOHN H. ``JACK'' RUST, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2001

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to John H. ``Jack'' Rust Jr., who for the last 4\1/2\ years has 
represented Virginia's 37th House District in the General Assembly with 
flair and acumen. While Jack's tenure in the state House comes to an 
end in January 2002, his contributions to his constituents will remain 
for decades to come.
  Elected to Virginia's House of Delegates in December 1996, Jack 
served on both the Joint Subcommittee to Study Revising the State Tax 
Code and the Finance Subcommittee Studying Tax Structure. From there, 
he championed a restructuring of Virginia's tax system because he saw 
an opportunity to bring a more equitable share of state revenues back 
to Fairfax County by changing the way income taxes are collected and 
distributed.
  Quickly assuming a high-visibility position within the Assembly, 
Jack's clout came from his intelligence and legislative expertise. 
Understanding that legislating is about inclusion, not exclusion, Jack 
was able to move beyond the usual rhetoric of the political process and 
work with his Democratic counterparts to negotiate compromises and 
build coalitions that resulted in many legislative victories for 
Northern Virginia. Able to quickly grasp any situation and understand 
all of the nuances of a particular piece of legislation, Jack earned a 
rock-solid reputation for taking a quiet and measured approach to the 
most controversial of issues.
  I also want to acknowledge Jack's efforts to bring new voters into 
the political process. He was a leading force behind the creation of 
the Commonwealth's first majority Hispanic district, and held dozens of 
town hall meetings with Asian, Latino, and African-American leaders. He 
encouraged the printing of sample ballots in Spanish and Korean. And he 
did these things without fanfare or bravado, because that was his 
style. This is the rare public servant who cares more about doing good 
than getting credit.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to emphasize that Jack Rust, in only 
a few terms, has enough public accomplishments to last a lifetime. I 
know my colleagues will join me in congratulating and thanking Jack for 
all he has done for the city of Fairfax, Fairfax County, and the 
Commonwealth of Virginia, and wish him the best in his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________