COG Board Chair and Fairfax County Supervisor Rodney Lusk issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly:

“With the passing of Gerry Connolly, we have lost an extraordinary public servant and visionary leader. During his time on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors - as member and then Chairman - and as a U.S. Representative in Congress, Gerry has been a champion for metropolitan Washington and our region’s shared priorities. His legacy in our region includes his dynamic leadership advancing projects like Metro’s Silver Line, transforming the once car-centric Tysons into a vibrant, transit-oriented community, and helping lead COG efforts to create a water supply and drought plan for the region.

“Gerry, who served as COG Board Chair and won our highest honor for regional leadership, was a steadfast proponent of close collaboration across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Gerry’s many friends and partners through the Council of Governments’ network extend our deepest sympathy to his family and all who loved him.”