[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 6, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN D. JENKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 2019

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize my dear friend, 
Supervisor John D. Jenkins, who passed away on February 6, 2019. John 
was the longest serving incumbent supervisor in Prince William County, 
proudly serving as the Neabsco Supervisor for 36 years. In 2009, I 
entered a tribute to John Jenkins into the United States Congressional 
Record in recognition of his dedication to the community and his work 
with the Boy Scouts of America. I am sad to do it again under these 
circumstances, but honored to do so for a great man and the legacy he 
is leaving behind.
  John Jenkins dedicated his life to public service. John served 
honorably and with distinction in the United States Army for more than 
25 years, including two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was highly 
decorated, earning a National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious 
Service Medal, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnam Service 
Medal, and was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters. He 
retired from the Army in December, 1980, reaching the rank of 
Lieutenant Colonel.
  In 1973, John moved to Dale City with his beloved wife, Ernestine. 
Although he was still serving in the U.S. Army, he immediately became 
involved in the community by joining the Dale City Civic Association. 
John and Ernestine also mentored area youth. They were involved in the 
Dale City Little League, Dale City Sports Club, Boy Scouts of America, 
and Gar-Field Senior High School Athletic Boosters Club. John also 
devoted countless hours to assisting veterans through his leadership in 
several veteran service organizations.
  In 1982, two years after his retirement from the U.S. Army, John was 
appointed to the Board of County Supervisors to fill the Neabsco 
District seat which was vacated by James McCoart. While serving the 
constituents of the Neabsco District was always John's primary 
objective, he was also able to effect change and shape progress for all 
of Prince William County. He advocated successfully for the 
construction of the Dale City Recreation Center, the McCoart 
Administration Center, Pfitzner Stadium, the county's Boys' and Girls' 
Home, the Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Center, Chinn Park Regional 
Library, and many more major civic investments including numerous 
schools, public safety facilities, and senior centers. John worked 
tirelessly to improve our local schools and the quality of public 
education. He was a champion of economic and infrastructure development 
in the county.
  But what everyone loved most about John was his care for all people. 
Regardless of sex, race, or creed, John supported all rights. As a 
life-long civil and human rights supporter, John asked the board to 
initiate a local investigation of a Dale City restaurant for refusal of 
service based on race. Then just last year in 2018, John supported a 
vote on the board to make June ``LGBTQ and More Pride Month.'' 
Throughout his tenure, John worked for the people of Prince William 
County, making sure their next day was better than the last. Through 
the past four decades John was both elected and appointed to several 
distinguished committee seats. John served two terms as Vice Chairman 
of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors as well as two terms 
as Chairman of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, State 
President of the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions, 
State President of the Virginia Association of Counties, Chairman of 
the Virginia Railway Express Operations Board, and Chairman of the 
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission.
  John served as a member of the Washington Council of Governments 
Transportation Planning Board and was appointed by two governors, 
Governor Mark Warner and Governor Tim Kaine, to serve as a member of 
the Virginia Geographical Information Network (VGIN) Advisory Board. In 
addition, John served on numerous boards and steering committees, 
including the Virginia Municipal League, the Virginia Association of 
Counties, and the National Association of Counties, and represented the 
Board of County Supervisors on the Quantico Marine Corps and Fort 
Belvoir Base Realignment and Closing (BRAC) advisory committees.
  John received numerous awards in recognition of his life-long 
commitment to service including the Robert W. Baker Award and the Blue 
Victory Award. In addition, in 2015 the Virginia Railway Express 
honored him for his key role in establishing a commuter rail service by 
having his name placed on the front of a VRE locomotive. Gar-Field High 
School also honored John for his support of athletic and academic 
programs as a booster club president, parent, and county supervisor.
  John is survived by his wife Ernestine who is also a dedicated 
community activist as well as a former public school employee, who 
worked in Prince William County Public Schools for 30 years as a 
teacher's assistant and staff member. Ernestine has been John's rock 
for more than six decades. She was just as involved in John's public 
service as anyone. John is also survived by his three sons, Warren, 
Mark, and Gordon and numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, Prince William County and the entire northern Virginia 
region has lost a great leader, mentor, public servant, and icon. John 
Jenkins' life was one spent in service to his country and his 
community. He could and would move heaven and earth for his 
constituents. John knew your name, he knew your kids' names, he 
probably even knew your grandkids' names. He cared about people and 
made sure they knew it. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing 
the memory and honorable service of Supervisor John D. Jenkins. He was 
my dear friend, mentor, a colleague, and his absence will create a void 
in Northern Virginia that will be impossible to fill.

                          ____________________