Bill Text: VA HJR199 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Jennifer DeBruhl.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 49-31)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ199ER) [HJR199 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR199-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Jennifer DeBruhl will retire as director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation in June 2024, concluding over 30 years of distinguished public service to the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, a native of Hampton Roads, Jennifer DeBruhl has dedicated her life to public service and shaping the Commonwealth's multimodal transportation system; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer DeBruhl worked at the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, then joined the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation as the chief of public transportation in 2016; and
WHEREAS, while the transportation industry is typically male-dominated, Jennifer DeBruhl benefited from the mentorship of several women early in her career; she subsequently became the first woman to serve as the Department of Transportation's director of local assistance, the first woman to serve as deputy district administrator for the Department of Transportation's Richmond District, and the first woman to serve as the Department of Rail and Public Transportation's chief of public transportation; and
WHEREAS, over the course of her career, Jennifer DeBruhl played a significant role in the delivery of many impactful multimodal transportation projects including the Virginia Capital Trail, Pulse Bus Rapid Transit, and the Long Bridge; and
WHEREAS, Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Jennifer DeBruhl as director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation in June 2022; her distinguished tenure as director was the capstone of a 31-year career in transportation, throughout which she devoted herself to improving people's everyday lives in the Commonwealth and across the country; and
WHEREAS, as the leader of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Jennifer DeBruhl played a significant role in the development and implementation of the agency's funding program, increasing accountability in public transportation funding, launching the Virginia Breeze intercity bus service, spearheading a new grant program to grow transit use, and developing the Virginia Transit Equity and Modernization study to set public transportation on a path toward future improvement; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer DeBruhl's tireless work has impacted the lives of countless people by connecting communities and by providing access to education, health care, and jobs; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation's mission is to connect people and improve the quality of life for all Virginians with innovative transportation solutions by working with dozens of public transportation and rail partners; Jennifer DeBruhl has earned praise from partners and stakeholders for her leadership and guidance in navigating significant changes to transportation in the Commonwealth and navigating the effects of a global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, as director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Jennifer DeBruhl served as a board member for several transit agencies around the Commonwealth, as a member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and as chair of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority board, helping Virginia advance its ambitious passenger rail program and become a national leader in railway travel; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer DeBruhl is a model of the dedication, professionalism, and sound leadership demonstrated by public servants throughout the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Jennifer DeBruhl on the occasion of her retirement as director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jennifer DeBruhl as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her achievements in creating a more connected Commonwealth through transportation.
