[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE RETIREMENT OF RIO RANCHO MAYOR JOHN JENNINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, we all know of those local 
elected leaders from our states who, because of their tenure in office, 
accomplishments, dedication, and hard work, seem to define the term 
`public servant.' These are the ones who do not seek headlines, but 
whose satisfaction comes from doing good things for their communities. 
I know of no other leader who fits this definition and style of public 
service more aptly than Rio Rancho Mayor John Jennings. Mayor Jennings 
will be leaving his post in March, after an exciting term in the 
history of this special city. He deserves immense credit for the 
success and growth of New Mexico's fastest-growing city.
  Mayor Jennings came to office in 1998 from a career in banking, 
serving Sunwest Bank for 23 years. He also served as a president of the 
Rio Rancho Chamber of Commerce. He used this experience to begin the 
demanding task of governing.
  Mayor Jennings has served at a time of amazing expansion for the City 
of Vision. Building a city that can sustain such rapid growth has 
required patience, careful planning and effort, but those who live 
there feel they have finally created a community with its own identity, 
one that will continue to grow and thrive. Mayor Jennings has done a 
remarkable job in this regard.
  A number of challenging issues face the City of Vision. Whether it be 
water, planning, revenue, or any issue that looms before our nation's 
mayors, John has capably acted on behalf of his city to address them. 
His leadership has been effective, and he leaves the city better than 
he found it.
  As the U.S. Representative for the Third Congressional District, I 
hear from a number of the elected officials that I represent. However, 
Mayor Jennings has always made sure that I was aware of the matters 
that affected our dual constituents.
  Mayor Jennings leaves office with a number of important 
accomplishments that will aid Rio Rancho for years to come. He fought 
to attract new industry to the city, which is critical to expanding the 
city's tax base. He worked on a number of transportation and 
infrastructure issues. He was also a major voice in the Vision 2020 
Integrated Comprehensive Plan, which is a blueprint for dealing with 
growth-associated problems. In addition, Rio Rancho is the second 
safest city in New Mexico and has one of the best school systems.
  However, I believe that the true legacy of Mayor Jennings is the 
emphasis he placed on the quality of life in Rio Rancho. He told a 
reporter once that he wanted children in Rio Rancho to have the same 
things he had growing up in Roswell: good libraries, free schooling, a 
safe environment. Therefore, many of his priorities were not 
surprising: adding park space and open space, correcting infrastructure 
deficiencies, such as adding sewer lines, repairing and upgrading 
roads, and adding to libraries; and maintaining the Department of 
Public Safety at its current level to keep its excellent safety record. 
Without a doubt, he has succeeded in many of these initiatives.
  Mayor Jennings is from a family in New Mexico devoted to public 
service. From Rio Rancho to Roswell, the Jennings family has left a 
legacy of making government work for our citizens. His brother Tom is a 
former mayor of Roswell, and his brother Tim serves in the New Mexico 
State Senate. I am pleased that John has chosen to follow his family in 
this endeavor and he has done a remarkable job. More important than all 
of that is the indelible mark he continues to make on our minds as a 
man of true integrity, character, and kindness, a true gentleman who 
never speaks ill of a soul and one whose friendship is of the highest 
quality and value.
  I hope that Mayor Jennings leaves his post with fond memories of his 
mayoral tenure and a sense of accomplishment for his efforts. Knowing 
John, upon his retirement, he is going to pursue endeavors that will be 
interesting and challenging; and no matter what he undertakes, I am 
sure that he will enjoy great success.
  On behalf of Rio Rancho, the state of New Mexico, and this nation, I 
ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Mayor John Jennings for his 
service.

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