Don Wolfensberger writes about the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA):
Despite the rough and tumble party battles for committee leadership, Connolly distinguished himself by his bipartisan outreach to Republicans to co-sponsor bills that had a good chance to become law. One notable example of this was enactment of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act in 2014, co-sponsored with Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.). It was the first major overhaul of federal IT management and oversight since 1996.
Connolly once noted the similarity between religious commitment and public service: they both involved a ministerial function to help people, especially those underserved both at home and abroad. That commitment shone through in all his endeavors both prior to and after entering electoral politics.
The key to success, I concluded, lies in having diverse interests and background experiences that take priority over political ambitions alone. Members today would do well to reflect on Connolly’s legacy and what public service should be all about. It just might help allay some of the petty partisan bloviating and restore what the word “Congress” really means: a coming together.