[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JOSEPH ``JOE'' ALEXANDER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2020

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Joseph 
``Joe'' Alexander, a pivotal Northern Virginia leader who passed away 
peacefully at home on August 30, 2020 at the age of 90.
  Joe Alexander was born in Pittsburgh, PA on December 21, 1929 to 
Celia and Milton Alexander. When Joe was young, the family relocated to 
Northern Virginia where Joe would spend his life. In 1956, Joe married 
the love of his life Davina, and together they raised their two 
daughters Cathy and Cheri.
  Joe dedicated his life to bettering the community in which he grew up 
by serving others. He was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the 
Air Force where he was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. 
Afterwards, Joe returned to the Franconia section of Fairfax County 
where he owned and managed Franconia Hardware. He was urged by other 
local business owners to run for the Fairfax County Board of 
Supervisors and began his first term in office in 1964. He served a 
total of 32 years, finally stepping down when his 8th term ended in 
December 1995.
  During Joe's years of service on the Board, he was affectionately 
known as ``Pothole Joe'' because no level of constituent service was 
too small for him to personally address. He shaped the transformation 
of his district from one of un-regulated gravel pits to an area known 
for its vibrant planned communities.
  Joe believed that an integrated transportation network was critical 
to the continued growth and prosperity of the region. In 1964, Joe was 
a founding member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission on 
which he served for 25 years representing our region in mass transit 
systems such as WMATA, VRE, and the Fairfax Connector. Working with 
others he was instrumental in transforming four separate privately 
owned bus companies into the Metrobus system. In recognition of his 
immeasurable contributions to public transportation, the Joe Alexander 
Transportation Center (commonly referred to as the Franconia-
Springfield Metro Station) was named after him, and in 2008 after 
serving as its Chair, Joe was inducted into the American Public 
Transportation Association Hall of Fame.
  Public service was at the core of who Joe was. In addition to his 
contributions in transportation and community planning, Joe was a 
volunteer with the Franconia Volunteer Fire Department. His love for 
his community and its history led him to donate his time as a volunteer 
and a Board Member with the Franconia Museum. Joe also had an 
adventurous spirit--he loved to travel, enjoyed good food and wine, and 
football. But above all Joe was a dedicated and loving husband, father 
and grandfather.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life 
and legacy of Joseph Alexander. His leadership and commitment to public 
service helped lay the foundation for the county and he will be missed 
by all who knew him. I also extend my deepest condolences to his wife 
of 64 years, Davina; his daughters, Cathy Stevens (Ed) and Cheri Roth 
(Rich); and granddaughter Stephanie Roth. May his memory be a blessing.

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