[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 132 (Tuesday, August 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF CONNIE JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 7, 2018

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Connie Jackson, an 
extraordinary public servant and tireless advocate for residents for 
her 15 years as the City Manager for the City of San Bruno, California. 
She has left her mark on just about every square inch of this Peninsula 
city of 43,000 people. I have had the great honor to work with Connie 
during the best and the worst of times. Her moral compass guides her 
and she is never afraid to take on challenges. I am proud to call 
Connie Jackson a colleague and good friend.
  Under Connie's capable leadership, San Bruno has not only survived 
the Great Recession of 2008, it came out stronger on the other side. 
All city programs and services were intact, the city was financially 
stronger, and it earned an AA+ credit rating. Connie oversaw San 
Bruno's completion of an updated General Plan and helped create a long-
term vision for a city friendly to residents and businesses. She is 
particularly proud of the redevelopment of a former Navy site into a 
housing complex called Village at the Crossing, which provides over 
1,000 apartments for individuals and families, including affordable 
units for senior citizens. She was also instrumental in the 
redevelopment of The Shops at Tanforan, a large shopping mall 
frequented by shoppers and diners from all over the Bay Area.
  For over a decade, Connie worked on the planning, design and 
construction of the CalTrain grade separation and station, offering 
commuters access to convenient public transportation. Connie oversaw 
the rebuilding of the entire aging water and wastewater infrastructure, 
and the building of mixed-use residential and commercial projects 
downtown and along El Camino Real. One of the elements to her success 
is her talent to connect the dots and collaborate with other 
individuals and agencies.
  The ultimate test of her leadership came on September 9, 2010. At 
6:11 p.m. that evening, a Pacific Gas and Electric Company natural gas 
transmission line exploded and tore a giant crater into one of the 
residential streets. The horrendous explosion and fire killed eight 
residents, destroyed 38 homes and devastated a neighborhood. Connie, 
along with other city leaders, fought with everything she had to heal 
the physical and psychological trauma her community suffered. I closely 
worked with Connie in the years following the explosion and she never 
wavered or was afraid to speak truth to power. She demonstrated strong 
leadership in the initial emergency response, community and recovery 
efforts, and pipeline safety advocacy. She led the city's work with the 
National Transportation Safety Board investigation and the proceedings 
before the California Public Utilities Commission. Connie and her 
colleagues were instrumental in exposing regulatory failures and 
corruption and in forcing corrections. Due to that work, cities all 
across the country have safer, improved gas utility infrastructure.
  Connie was also a consoler throughout the crisis. She offered her 
shoulder to cry on, her hugs to comfort, her smile to reassure, and her 
wisdom to move forward. To this day, she has regular contact with 
survivors.
  While nothing will bring back the eight victims of the San Bruno 
explosion, PG&E was forced to give $120 million to the city for 
community restoration, recovery and restitution. Being the community-
loving and resilient city that San Bruno is, the residents decided they 
wanted to spend the money benefitting all residents. The city will 
build a new recreation center and aquatics center for everyone in San 
Bruno to enjoy.
  Connie's talents and achievements have been recognized on many 
occasions. For example, she received the 2012 League of California 
Cities City Manager of Distinction award, the California Women Leading 
Government Leadership Award, and the 2006 International City/County 
Management Association program innovation award. She is a life member 
of the Municipal Management Assistants of Northern California and a 
member of ICMA.
  Before serving San Bruno, Connie was the city manager of the City of 
Hercules and the City of Fort Bragg for a combined 18 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
recognize Connie Jackson, a woman and leader I hold in high esteem, for 
her vision, strength and perseverance fighting for the interests of the 
residents of three California cities. She can enter her well-deserved 
retirement knowing that she has improved the lives of tens of thousands 
of people. San Bruno residents are lucky to count themselves among 
them. Connie leaves behind giant shoes to fill. Many will lead San 
Bruno through the next decades, but no one will leave a legacy that 
echoes across the generations. This will be the unique contribution of 
Connie Jackson.

                          ____________________