[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 138 (Wednesday, September 28, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             TRIBUTE TO FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS ED PATTEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pallone] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, today, 14 years after Ed Patten's 
retirement from Congress, his name is still a household word in my 
district.
  I did not have the good fortune to serve with Ed, but I now represent 
eight towns in Middlesex County that were in his district. My 
constituents, mayors and councilmen, educators, workers and businessmen 
continue to refer to him with the warmth, love, and respect that he 
engendered during the 18 years he served in the House of 
Representatives.
  As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Ed fought tirelessly for 
New Jersey and his district. His was responsible for seeing that 
vocational and adult education received the national attention and 
funding it deserved. Without Ed Patten, Rutgers University would not be 
the leading institution it is today and Princeton might never have 
obtained the special physics lab that has pioneered research in atomic 
fusion. Ed Patten was responsible for the creation of Middlesex County 
College.
  He also initiated the restoration of Ellis Island and began the 
cleanup of the Raritan River. To students, senior citizens, factory 
workers, and consumers in general, Ed Patten was a hero.
  There was the memorable personal side of Ed Patten. He was once 
referred to as Perth Amboy's answer to Will Rogers. This is because he 
had a unique wit and wisdom and never lost touch with his constituents.
  He probably knew more of his constituents on a first-name basis than 
any Congressman in history. With his pockets full of pennies for the 
kids, he would attend weddings and funderals during his weekends home. 
He spoke the langauge of his constituents and reflected their views 
naturally.
  Many remember Ed Patten as one of the most colorful individuals ever 
to serve in Congress. He was also a consensus builder. At a time when 
we perhaps take ourselves too seriously, it is worthwhile to reflect on 
Ed Patten and the perspective he brought to these Chambers. He knew it 
was important to stand up for what you believe in--and he did that on 
many occasions--but he also knew that whether you won or lost, it was 
as important to be a good loser as a good winner. In that way, both 
sides could move on to the next important issue and get things done, 
which is, after all, why we are here.
  Upon Ed Patten's retirement 14 years ago, a letter was read in this 
Chamber from a Metuchen, NJ, woman whose sons had interned in his 
office. She wrote:

       Both my sons were imbued with a sense of respect for the 
     office you honor. In a time of doubt and cynicism, I am 
     thankful that they had the opportunity to have developed such 
     positive feelings about the workings of our government.

  Ed Patten's passing gives us the opportunity to think about some of 
the things he stood for and perhaps make this institution function--for 
the good of everyone--in a more effective and less contentious manner.

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