[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 91 (Friday, June 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MAYOR ROB LEDERER FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE CITY OF FAIRFAX, 
                                VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 15, 2012

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and thank 
Mayor Rob Lederer of the City of Fairfax, Virginia, for his years of 
service to our community. On June 30th, Mayor Lederer will complete his 
5th term as mayor and he will retire from elected office. First elected 
to the City Council in 1982, Mayor Lederer served three two-year terms 
and later returned to the Council to serve two more terms starting in 
1998. In 2002, he was elected Mayor.
  During his decades of service to the City, Mayor Lederer has had many 
notable accomplishments. Forbes Magazine ranked the City of Fairfax as 
the third best place to live in the U.S. The city achieved a AAA bond 
rating from the credit rating agencies in recognition of its sound 
fiscal management, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in financing 
costs for needed infrastructure improvements. The city received a Gold 
Medal from the National Recreation and Parks Association, only the 
fourth time a Virginia locality has won this award since 1965.
  As a former Member of the Fairfax County, Virginia, Board of 
Supervisors and as the current Representative for the 11th District of 
Virginia, which includes the City of Fairfax, I have been pleased to 
partner with Mayor Lederer in regional matters affecting our shared 
constituents. Mayor Lederer led the effort to redevelop and renew 
historic Old Town Fairfax, including the planning, development, 
construction and opening of the City of Fairfax Regional Library in 
partnership with Fairfax County.
  In addition, Mayor Lederer played a lead role in protecting 
surrounding businesses and homeowners affected by leaks from the gas 
and oil tank farm at Pickett Road. The tank farm affected residents of 
both Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax, and the Mayor collaborated 
with me and other regional leaders to improve safety and 
accountability. Thanks to those efforts, last year the Commonwealth of 
Virginia enacted a law to require modern storage and safety procedures 
at the tank farm. This is a tremendous example of how local leaders 
like Mayor Lederer are able to work with neighboring jurisdictions and 
with various levels of government to protect the interests and the 
safety of their communities.
  Mayor Lederer is a lifelong resident of the city. In addition to 
serving the entire city, he found time to serve his neighbors as a 
board member on the Cobbdale Civic Association. Thanks to his tireless 
efforts over the years, Mayor Lederer has made a tremendous 
contribution to the lives of residents of the City of Fairfax now and 
for future generations. I have no doubt that despite his retirement 
from elected office he will continue to serve the community for many 
years to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Mayor Rob 
Lederer for his service to the residents of the City of Fairfax, 
thanking him for all that he has done to improve our community, and 
wishing him and his family well in his retirement from public life.

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