[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 132 (Tuesday, August 7, 2018)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1133] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IN RECOGNITION OF CONNIE JACKSON ______ HON. JACKIE SPEIER of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Connie Jackson, an extraordinary public servant and tireless advocate for residents for her 15 years as the City Manager for the City of San Bruno, California. She has left her mark on just about every square inch of this Peninsula city of 43,000 people. I have had the great honor to work with Connie during the best and the worst of times. Her moral compass guides her and she is never afraid to take on challenges. I am proud to call Connie Jackson a colleague and good friend. Under Connie's capable leadership, San Bruno has not only survived the Great Recession of 2008, it came out stronger on the other side. All city programs and services were intact, the city was financially stronger, and it earned an AA+ credit rating. Connie oversaw San Bruno's completion of an updated General Plan and helped create a long- term vision for a city friendly to residents and businesses. She is particularly proud of the redevelopment of a former Navy site into a housing complex called Village at the Crossing, which provides over 1,000 apartments for individuals and families, including affordable units for senior citizens. She was also instrumental in the redevelopment of The Shops at Tanforan, a large shopping mall frequented by shoppers and diners from all over the Bay Area. For over a decade, Connie worked on the planning, design and construction of the CalTrain grade separation and station, offering commuters access to convenient public transportation. Connie oversaw the rebuilding of the entire aging water and wastewater infrastructure, and the building of mixed-use residential and commercial projects downtown and along El Camino Real. One of the elements to her success is her talent to connect the dots and collaborate with other individuals and agencies. The ultimate test of her leadership came on September 9, 2010. At 6:11 p.m. that evening, a Pacific Gas and Electric Company natural gas transmission line exploded and tore a giant crater into one of the residential streets. The horrendous explosion and fire killed eight residents, destroyed 38 homes and devastated a neighborhood. Connie, along with other city leaders, fought with everything she had to heal the physical and psychological trauma her community suffered. I closely worked with Connie in the years following the explosion and she never wavered or was afraid to speak truth to power. She demonstrated strong leadership in the initial emergency response, community and recovery efforts, and pipeline safety advocacy. She led the city's work with the National Transportation Safety Board investigation and the proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission. Connie and her colleagues were instrumental in exposing regulatory failures and corruption and in forcing corrections. Due to that work, cities all across the country have safer, improved gas utility infrastructure. Connie was also a consoler throughout the crisis. She offered her shoulder to cry on, her hugs to comfort, her smile to reassure, and her wisdom to move forward. To this day, she has regular contact with survivors. While nothing will bring back the eight victims of the San Bruno explosion, PG&E was forced to give $120 million to the city for community restoration, recovery and restitution. Being the community- loving and resilient city that San Bruno is, the residents decided they wanted to spend the money benefitting all residents. The city will build a new recreation center and aquatics center for everyone in San Bruno to enjoy. Connie's talents and achievements have been recognized on many occasions. For example, she received the 2012 League of California Cities City Manager of Distinction award, the California Women Leading Government Leadership Award, and the 2006 International City/County Management Association program innovation award. She is a life member of the Municipal Management Assistants of Northern California and a member of ICMA. Before serving San Bruno, Connie was the city manager of the City of Hercules and the City of Fort Bragg for a combined 18 years. Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to recognize Connie Jackson, a woman and leader I hold in high esteem, for her vision, strength and perseverance fighting for the interests of the residents of three California cities. She can enter her well-deserved retirement knowing that she has improved the lives of tens of thousands of people. San Bruno residents are lucky to count themselves among them. Connie leaves behind giant shoes to fill. Many will lead San Bruno through the next decades, but no one will leave a legacy that echoes across the generations. This will be the unique contribution of Connie Jackson. ____________________