[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 206 (Thursday, December 14, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5989-S5990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JILL BOUDREAU

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
Mayor Jill Boudreau on her retirement after 12 years of service as 
mayor of Mount Vernon, WA. During that time, she has been an inspiring 
and impactful public servant--leading a municipal government that has 
been a model of efficiency, adaptability, dignity, and inclusivity. Her 
leadership has been a guiding light through some of the city's most 
difficult times, and her advocacy has helped Mount Vernon prosper over 
the past decade-plus.
  Mayor Boudreau was sworn into office in January of 2012 and quickly 
launched ambitious initiatives to bolster economic development, make 
the city's government more open and accessible to residents, and 
improve public transportation. Over her three terms, she has been an 
indispensable voice for the region--serving on countless boards and 
commissions and championing voting rights, public art installations, 
and civic engagement. Most recently, Mayor Boudreau has been the 
driving force behind the Mount Vernon Library Commons, a transformative 
project that will be one of the largest capital investments in Skagit 
County history. When completed, the Commons will be one of Washington 
State's most energy-efficient municipal buildings and will bring a 
library, community center, commercial kitchen, transit center, and one 
of our nation's largest electric vehicle charging stations all into one 
facility. The Commons is the product of Mayor Boudreau's bold vision 
and tireless efforts. Her extraordinary leadership on the Commons and 
other projects has been recognized by the Association for Washington 
Cities, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Ambassador to Uruguay.
  I had the opportunity to work most closely with Mayor Boudreau on 
flood protection projects along the Skagit River, and throughout those 
discussions, it was clear to everyone just how deeply she cared about 
her community. Her dedication and compassion are also evident in Mayor 
Boudreau's leadership during challenging and stressful times, whether 
it was the Skagit River Bridge collapse, the Cascade Mall shooting, or 
the COVID-19 pandemic. I know the citizens of Mount Vernon are as 
grateful as I am for her strength and hard work during these difficult 
moments.
  One of the things I admire most about Mayor Boudreau is her weekly 
commitment to meeting with residents for ``Coffee Hours.'' She has held 
more than 350 of these meetings during her administration, something I 
have heard about from her constituents during our shared time in public 
office.

[[Page S5990]]

This type of openness and accessibility to her community--and her 
willingness to listen and really engage with her constituents--is part 
of what makes Mayor Boudreau such an inspiring public servant. It has 
been a real privilege to work with her over the last 12 years, and I am 
tremendously thankful for her service to the people of Mount Vernon. I 
wish her the very best in future endeavors.

                          ____________________