Local Leaders Mourn the Passing of Representative Gerry Connolly

WASHINGTON – On behalf of the nation’s counties, cities, towns and villages, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National League of Cities (NLC) today issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly:

“Local government leaders are deeply saddened by the passing of Representative Connolly. As a former county commissioner and co-chair of the bipartisan Former Local Elected Officials Caucus, Rep. Connolly was an advocate for civil discourse in public life and a tireless champion of local governments and our communities. We are grateful for his decades of public service. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

Prior to his election to Congress in 2008, Rep. Connolly served on the Fairfax County, Va. Board of Supervisors for nearly 15 years, including two terms as chairman. During that time, he was an active member of the Virginia Association of Counties, serving on the board of directors and as president of the association. During his time in Congress, he advocated for the Restore the Partnership Act, legislation to reform the U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to facilitate cooperation and accountability among federal, state, tribal and local governments.