[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S9635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATIONS TO PATRICIA MACK

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to my 
constituent, Patricia Mack, an outstanding Housing and Urban 
Development [HUD] employee and housing activist. Over the years, she 
has accomplished a great deal in her work in the area of public 
housing.
  In 1971, Patricia began her first job in the housing field in the 
Chicago Regional Office of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development [HUD]. She worked as an Urban Renewal Representative, 
advocating for and advancing the cause of civic renewal projects in the 
Chicago area.
  In October 1971, HUD established an office in Patricia's home State 
of Minnesota. Patricia moved back to the Twin Cities to serve as a 
Metropolitan Development Representative where she worked closely with 
metro-area communities to use HUD grant funds for water and sewer 
projects, neighborhood facilities, parks, and historical preservation 
initiatives. She played crucial roles in both the Minnesota Valley 
Restoration Project and the Hennepin County Park Reserve District.
  In July 1974, Patricia's career path took her to Alexandria, VA, to 
serve as assistant to the director of the Alexandria, VA, Planning 
Department. Working primarily on housing issues, she helped to lay the 
groundwork for Alexandria's Housing Assistance Program.
  In February 1976 she returned to Minnesota to the Minnesota HUD 
Office as Housing Assistance Specialist. She worked with Minnesota 
communities on the implementation of the Housing Assistance Program 
much as she had in Virginia.
  In 1985, Patricia was named Special Assistant to the Field Office 
Manager, a position in which she handled responsibilities ranging from 
public and congressional affairs to HUD special projects like the 
affirmative action plan. In this capacity, Patricia played a key role 
in assuring that adequate minority participation was utilized in the 
construction of the new Federal building that was being built in 
downtown Minneapolis.
  In the last decade, Patricia has continued to become actively and 
centrally involved in many programs pertaining to housing and the 
homeless. Patricia's dedication, leadership, and spirit have been 
instrumental in countless successes as a volunteer with Habitat for 
Humanity and in working with the Metropolitan Interfaith Community for 
Affordable Housing,
  In 1995, Patricia was the first Government official to receive a 
well-deserved award from the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless.
  Today, Patricia continues her work helping to address such serious 
and complex issues as homelessness and the availability, quality, and 
affordability of public housing on behalf of Minnesotans and their 
communities.
  It is a privilege for me to recognize and applaud Patricia Mack for 
her fine work and many contributions over the years. She is an 
inspiration, and I wish her continued future success.

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