[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 12, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E10-E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING JIMMIE JENKINS ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 12, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 
exemplary public service of Jimmie Jenkins, whose leadership and 
contributions in the field of wastewater management made him a vital 
resource to local governments in Northern Virginia and across the 
nation.
  Jimmie Jenkins is retiring as director of the Fairfax County 
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, capping a 33-
year career in which he helped shaped the county's building, 
environmental and inspection services. This actually is the second time 
Jimmie has retired from Fairfax County. He originally retired in 2001 
from the county's wastewater division, but he returned in 2004 to 
oversee the entire public works agency.
  I had the great pleasure of working with Jimmie during my 14 years on 
the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including 5 as chairman. When 
retirement notices would come before the board, my colleagues and I 
often would say in good humor that someone should pass a law 
prohibiting such decisions because we could not bear to part with such 
dedicated and talented people. We actually succeeded in Jimmie's case 
by luring him out of retirement once, but it looks like he is serious 
this time.
  Jimmie built a reputation in Fairfax as a charismatic ``can do'' 
manager, known for his direct ``tell-it-like-it-is'' style and his 
unabashed support for his alma matter, Virginia Tech, as evidenced by 
his large collection of maroon and orange ties. Jimmie began his career 
in the former Department of Environmental Management in 1973 as a 
structural engineer, reviewing plans for compliance with the building 
code. He has held several positions within the wastewater management 
area, including the

[[Page E11]]

director of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the position of director 
of the Systems Engineering and Monitoring Division, from which he 
retired in 2001. After returning to Fairfax County in 2004, Jimmie 
successfully steered the Department of Public Works and Environmental 
Services with his extensive institutional knowledge.
  During my tenure as chairman of the county board, Jimmie was 
instrumental in advancing major initiatives to establish Green building 
standards and expand storm water management efforts. We dedicated the 
value of one penny on the local tax rate to address critical needs, 
including stream and dam restoration, rehabilitation of our aging 
infrastructure and master planning of our 30 watersheds to protect them 
for future generations. Jimmie also played a major role in laying the 
foundation for implementing the board's bold 20-year Environmental 
Vision.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the many 
accomplishments of Jimmie Jenkins as he brings his distinguished career 
with Fairfax County to an end. The efforts of Jimmie and those who work 
with him largely happen behind the scenes, but the tangible benefits 
can be seen throughout our community on a daily basis, from the 
sophisticated treatment of wastewater to the more frequent use of low 
impact development practices to the improving health of the stream near 
your home. I am proud to have worked with Jimmie and thankful that our 
community will benefit from his contributions for years to come.

                          ____________________