[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 33 (Friday, February 24, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF THE HONORABLE JONATHAN WAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 24, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to use this time to 
recognize my constituent and friend, the Honorable Jonathan Way for his 
9 years of service on the Manassas City Council, both as a Councilman 
and later as Vice Mayor, and to celebrate his many accomplishments as 
one of the Commonwealth's most dedicated civil servants.
  Prior to retiring and moving to Manassas 18 years ago, Vice Mayor Way 
had a 37-year career for various Exxon international affiliates in the 
U.S. and overseas and also served 6 years as a U.S. Naval Reserve 
Officer. He decided to first enter government service in the City of 
Manassas when he saw an advertisement in the local newspaper for an 
opening on the Planning Commission. From that point forward, Vice Mayor 
Way embarked on a journey of dedication to the city. In 2001, he was 
appointed to the commission, where he served as a member and as 
Chairman for 2 years until his appointment to the City Council in 2007, 
a position he held until 2015 when he was unanimously selected, by the 
Manassas city council members, to serve as Vice Mayor. He, along with 
Mayor Hal Parrish, have played a vital role in revitalizing downtown 
Manassas, establishing strong local relationships, and helping build 
new housing developments in the area.
  During his tenure on the Manassas City Council, Vice Mayor Way served 
on various committees, including the Budget and Finance Committee, the 
Economic/Community Development and Land Use Committee, the Virginia 
Railway Express and Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Committees, 
the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and the Virginia 
Municipal League. Additionally, Vice Mayor Way volunteered with various 
local groups, including the Rotary Club of Manassas, which he joined in 
2001. Here he has served on the Club Service Committee for many years 
and has previously held the position of Secretary. Impressively, he was 
chosen as Rotarian of the Year in both 2003 and 2008. Despite having to 
temporarily resign from the rotary in 2013 due to workload demands of 
City Council, he happily rejoined last year.
  Most impressively, throughout the years, Vice Mayor Way kept a near 
perfect attendance record in attending city council meetings. This is 
not only a testament to the commitment he has always felt to the 
council, but also the commitment he felt to the citizens of Manassas. 
On behalf of the entire 10th District, I thank Vice Mayor Way. It has 
truly been a privilege to work with him and his colleagues on the 
Manassas City Council over the years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Vice Mayor 
Way for his service to Manassas, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the 
United States. I wish him, his wife, Shirley, his children, and his 
grandchildren the best in their future endeavors.