[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           AMERICAN PATRIOT AND PUBLIC SERVANT: HAROLD PRATTE

                                 ______


                           HON. BILL EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 20, 1994

  Mr. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a pillar in St. 
Francois County, MO, a community which is in my congressional district. 
After nearly a decade in county government, Harold Pratte will turn off 
his county collector's calculator for the final time and transition 
into the glory years of retirement.
  Harold Pratte is a true American patriot and public servant. He 
served 20 years in the U.S. Army, where he received a distinguished 
graduate honor from the Army's Non-Commissioned Officers Academy and 
other honorable decorations. They include the Army's most coveted 
Combat Infantryman Badge during the Korean war, a Bronze Star, two 
meritorious service medals, and an Army commendation model. Upon 
retirement from the Army, Harold continued to serve his fellow 
countrymen as an active member and leader in a number of Veterans 
organizations and civic groups.
  For instance, Harold was president of the Desloge Chamber of Commerce 
and Desloge Kiwanis from 1986-87. He chaired the Desloge centennial in 
1987. He earned Citizen of the Year honors from the Desloge Chamber and 
Daily Journal newspaper in 1988. He has been treasurer of the St. 
Francois County Veterans War Memorial and he has chaired the Korean War 
Memorial Committee located at Mineral Area College and Desloge 
Benevolent Fund Committee. Mind you, all of these accomplishments and 
activities have been in addition to his work as second district county 
commissioner from 1985-86 and his role as collector of revenue from 
1987 through the present.
  During his 7 years as collector, Harold helped usher the county into 
the 21st century. For instance, he upgraded all office equipment from 
80 percent manual processing to 100 percent computer mechanization. 
Through Harold's foresight of making technology work for us, rather 
than against us, St. Francois County was awarded a grant from the 
Missouri Secretary of State to microfilm all permanent record tax 
books.
  Quite simply, we need more Americans like Harold Pratte. He has used 
his faith in God and love of country as a moral guide in proudly 
serving the United States and the St. Francois County community with 
honor and dignity. Speaking for the entire community, I want to thank 
him for all of his selfless and tireless efforts, wish him good luck on 
the golf course, and most especially pass along to Harold and his wife, 
Patsy, all the best on their journey into retirement.

                          ____________________