[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      MOMENT OF SILENCE IN MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE GERRY CONNOLLY

  (Mr. SCOTT of Virginia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am gathered here today with 
colleagues from the Commonwealth of Virginia and others with a heavy 
heart to announce to the House the passing of our friend and colleague, 
Congressman Gerry Connolly.
  I have had the distinct honor to serve alongside Gerry for many 
years. Gerry served in this Chamber since 2009, and before that, he 
served 14 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including 5 
years as its chairman.
  Gerry was a tireless fighter for his constituents, an unwavering 
advocate for the Federal workforce, and a true steward for our 
democratic institutions. He loved America, the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, and, of course, his beloved hometown of Fairfax.
  As the ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, he spent the last few months on the front lines as the chief 
advocate for our Federal civil service workers.
  I deeply valued Gerry's partnership. We worked together to champion 
policies that strengthen our communities, protect workers' rights, and 
expand opportunities for all Americans.
  As his friend, I know I speak for all of us here to say that we will 
miss Gerry's infectious energy, his humor, and his unique ability to 
connect with people. This is a loss for this Chamber, the Commonwealth 
of Virginia, and our entire Nation.
  Our condolences go out to his wife, Smitty; his daughter, Caitlin; 
his staff; and the rest of his family and loved ones.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman).
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I have had the honor and privilege to know Gerry Connolly for over 
three decades. He and I served in local government together for years. 
We were part of the Virginia Association of Counties.
  Gerry had a deep passion for Fairfax County, for the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, and for this Nation. You wouldn't find anybody who had a 
deeper knowledge of issues, knew more about what was best to be done, 
and knew more about trying to find a place to agree about getting 
things done.
  There was really something special about Gerry. I remember us having 
discussions back in the day when we just started out in local 
government. We both learned from each other. He came from a big county 
there in Fairfax County. I came from a small county. I live in a town 
with a population of 350. We couldn't have been any more different in 
how we reflected on the counties that we represented, but do you know 
what? We had a deep commitment to doing what was right.
  I learned a lot from Gerry and his perspective on Fairfax, but also 
his perspective on the Commonwealth and perspective on the Nation.
  Gerry was always looking to find solutions. He was always very 
passionate about people, about making sure he understood the policies. 
He understood how to get things done. Gerry was always committed to 
doing that.
  Gerry's legacy is going to live on forever in all of us. It will live 
on forever in his family and live on forever in the things that he has 
done for Fairfax County, for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and for our 
Nation.
  We will miss Gerry, but we will remember his legacy through the 
things that he has done and through what he did to reach out to others 
and to look for common ground to get things done in the best interest 
of not only his constituents but of our Commonwealth and our Nation.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of us to join in a 
moment of silence in honor of Gerry Connolly.

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