Phil Jenkins' Remarkable Achievements
Floor Speech
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Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the remarkable contributions of Phil Jenkins, who recently finished serving as managing and executive editor at the Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Phil gave his time, his energy, and his dedication to the Free Lance- Star for 24 years.
``Equally wise and unflappable,'' that is how his colleagues describe him. ``A trusted leader, gifted editor, and generous mentor.''
When he arrived at the paper in 1998, Phil made sure the paper stayed at the top of its game. As the years went on, his determination guided the paper through difficult stretches and through thousands of local news developments.
He oversaw critical investigations, including those related to the D.C. sniper trial. He managed major transitions, such as shifting from an afternoon to morning production cycle and moving the paper's offices to downtown Fredericksburg.
Under Phil's leadership the Free Lance-Star was nine times judged as Virginia's best midsize daily between 2011 and 2020, winning first place for its writing, design, and photography.
In Fredericksburg, Phil supervised dozens of people, including writers, photographers, designers, editors, web producers, and clerical staff. Those who worked with him over the years said that ``few knew a more journalistically savvy, more evenhanded or more calming influence in the newsroom.''
When asked to describe Phil's tenure at the paper, a former colleague said that Phil showed ``unparalleled leadership'' as well as ``an uncanny ability to measure and satiate the community's hunger for the news that makes it unique.''
Today, Phil's staff and the entire greater Fredericksburg region and the Free Lance-Star readership will greatly miss Phil's hand at the helm of the Free Lance-Star.
One former Free Lance-Star editor said, ``Working with such a gifted journalist and wonderful person as Phil Jenkins was one of the highest honors of my life. There is no way to adequately thank him for the contributions he has made to the paper and to the community.''
Phil's service to the Fredericksburg area and Virginia overall speaks to the enduring importance of local news, including print journalism. Local news keeps us informed about the day-to-day events in our communities. It allows us to share the triumphs of our neighbors. It holds those in power to account, and it brings to light the challenges we face together, as a community, as a Commonwealth, and as a country.
As another former colleague said, ``Nobody gave more to the cause of community journalism than Phil Jenkins.''
Today, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, I would like to thank Phil Jenkins for his service to the people of Virginia. We thank him for his devotion to his colleagues, his commitment to accuracy, and his love of a good story founded on the truth. Recognizing Bill Shugarts
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Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Seventh District constituent and U.S. Army veteran Bill Shugarts.
Bill is a Vietnam veteran who served with the 23rd Infantry Division. In Vietnam, Bill planned and ran convoys, and one day, while doing command and control above the Hiep Duc Valley, Bill was in a helicopter crash. Thankfully, he suffered only minimal injuries.
Bill was honorably discharged in 1971 with various commendations and medals, including a Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters. He began a successful corporate career spanning three different Fortune 500 companies.
But never forgetting his experiences in Vietnam or with his soldiers, Bill has devoted himself to his fellow veterans and our Nation's allies who have stood by our servicemembers.
In service to the community and local veterans, Bill founded the Northern Virginia Military Ministry Outreach, and he cofounded the Fawn Lake Veterans Group. He is a docent at the U.S. Army Museum, and he is a lay leader of the Methodist Wilderness Community Church's military ministry.
In my earliest days in office, and well before the final exit of American forces from Afghanistan, Bill was working to bring attention to the urgent needs of the SIV program. As a founding member of No One Left Behind, Bill focused on increasing the number of visas available, speeding up processing, and bringing refuge to those in danger. Bill worked closely with my office as we strived to make progress, get questions answered, and ultimately get SIVs home to America, their new home.
Now, through their church, Bill and his wife, Margene, continue their tireless work to help Afghan evacuees resettle and build community in their new home in Virginia.
Bill represents the best of Virginia, a Commonwealth made stronger through our ability to keep our promises to our veterans, our military families, and our allies. As the U.S. Representative for Virginia's Seventh District, I thank Bill Shugarts for his advocacy, his compassion, and his deep and abiding sense of service to our country and our Commonwealth.
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