The American congressman Gerald “Gerry” Connolly, Democrat, who represented the 11th district of Virginia for over 16 years, died on Wednesday (May 21) at the age of 75. Connolly died in his house, surrounded by family members, months after revealing his battle with esophageal cancer.
Statement
The Connolly family issued a sincere statement that mourns over his loss and celebrating his life work: “With great sadness, we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, friend and civil servant … He died peacefully surrounded by his family this morning.”
Connolly, known kindly as “Gerry”, served northern Virginia in a public office for almost 40 years – first as a supervisor of the Fairfax district, later as Chairman of the Board of Directors and since 2009 as the US Congressman.
During his career, Connolly was recognized as his commitment to social justice, public transport, environmental protection and government responsibility.
“Gerry lived his life to return to others and improve our community. He was looking for disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what was right and fair,” the family said.
He was active in international affairs in Congress, worked as a head member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies and a joint defendant of democratic values around the world.
Permanent heritage in northern Virginia
Connolly’s imprint about local infrastructure and civil life is huge – from supporting the spread of the silver metro line to the promotion of local monuments such as the library Oakton and Mosaic.
“From the silver line to the Oakton library, a mosaic to the Cross County Trail trail and further, its link will now color our region,” the family said.
He was also deeply respected as a mentor of younger public employees and a tireless advocate Fairfax County and Greater Washington Region.
Emptiness
The Connolly family expressed the community gratitude for its support over the years: “We were lucky that we had Gerry with North Virginia for almost 40 years because it was his joy, his purpose and his passion.”
They added: “His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but we are proud to withstand his life work will withstand future generations.”
Architect of Modern Identity North Virginia
Connolly was the driving force of the transformation of northern Virginia, especially the Tysons Corner reconstruction into a prosperous shopping center and a successful start of the extension of the Silver Line Rail to Dulles International Airport.
“Doing big things is difficult – the world is filled with Naysayers,” Connolly said in 2022 when the last phase of the silver line opened.
His long term in local and national politics began his election to the Fairfax Supervisor Supervisor Council in 1995. He became chairman in 2003 and at a time when North Virginia faced explosive growth and grid, promoted public transport and intelligent development at a time when North Virginia.
From the regional supervisor to the congress
In 2008, Connolly went to national policy and overturned the Republican Congress chair nearly 42,000 votes. In his winning speech he undertook to reform government operations:
“If we insist that the government must work again for all our citizens, we cannot fail,” he said.
Connolly quickly became known as a tireless reformer and a skilled legislature, who often encountered political opponents in heated hearing of the committee. He brought the same passion as he showed in Fairfax to Washington.
Champion for federal reforms
Connolly, a leading member of the Committees for Overview and Foreign Affairs, was conducted by Connolly’s numerous efforts to modernize and improve the Federal Government operations.
In 2014, the 2010 remote enhancement law, which expanded the possibilities of distance work, and the Federal Act on IT Reform Acquisition (Fitara) – Legislation has credited the saving of government billions.
Connolly also organized President Donald Trump and General Postmaster Louis Dejoy to answer during the election season of 2020, and accused them of attempting to weaken the US Postal Service:
“It was deliberate efforts to undermine the vote for the post office via the postal service-we will not be silent about it,” he told journalists at that time.
Guidance in the role of supervision
In 2023, Connolly reached a new milestone when he was elected as a ranking of the supervision Commission, defeated Rep. Alexandria tail-Cortez for a powerful contribution.
He used this role to promote transparency in federal agencies and demanded an investigation into the alleged misconduct of officials and advisor Elon Musk.
Connolly revealed at the poignant address in April 2025 that his cancer had returned. He announced that he would withdraw from his post of supervision and would not look for re -election.
“Without Rancor and Full Heart, I will move to this final chapter full of pride in what we have achieved together for 30 years,” Connolly said.
(Tagstotranslate) Gerald E. Connolly (T) Rep Gerald E. Connolly (T) Congressman of Virginia
