[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 193 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1601-E1602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF VIRGINIA COMBS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2018

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Virginia Combs, who is retiring as Deputy Director of the Kentucky 
Consular Center (KCC) in Williamsburg, Kentucky after 16 years of 
service.
  Virginia has been a vital asset to the Department of State and the 
Kentucky Consular Center since taking on the role as Deputy Director in 
2002, just two years after the center opened. When Virginia arrived, 
the facility had roughly 40 employees. Under her leadership and 
direction, more than 300 people now work at KCC, providing critical 
services for the State Department to process immigrant visa 
applications. The State Department's decision to locate in Williamsburg 
inspired leaders across Southern and Eastern Kentucky to dream bigger 
for high tech jobs and ramp up new industry recruitment. Year after 
year, Virginia has helped prove that we have the best workforce in the 
country and we can successfully meet federal government contract needs 
in our region.
  Prior to KCC, Virginia played a monumental role in economic 
development projects in the

[[Page E1602]]

Cumberland Valley and Lake Cumberland areas. She served as Program 
Coordinator for the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation 
in its early years of business recruitment and strategic planning. 
Virginia was also an International Trade Development Specialist, 
promoting international commerce and job creation in four of our Area 
Development Districts. As Executive Director of Corbin Economic 
Development and the Chamber of Commerce, she paved the way for 
development of the 600 acre industrial site now known as the Southeast 
Kentucky Business Park, which boasts a regional partnership including 
Bell, Clay, Knox, Laurel, McCreary and Whitley counties. She sparked 
the vision for a broader industrial portfolio in Southern and Eastern 
Kentucky.
  The magnitude of success throughout Virginia's career is matched only 
by her heart of service and compassion for our region. She is a past 
President of the Williamsburg Kiwanis Club and served as Lieutenant 
Governor for the Kentucky-Tennessee Kiwanis Division 6 from 2014 to 
2016, playing an instrumental role in the growth of the civic 
organization and advocating for progressive community projects.
  I deeply appreciate Virginia's service and leadership in Southern 
Kentucky, as well as her sincere friendship and loyalty to the region. 
As she enters retirement, my wife, Cynthia, and I wish Virginia and her 
family tremendous joy and blessings in the years to come.

                          ____________________