[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 134 (Wednesday, October 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2048-E2049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO PATRICIA C. JARRETT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 6, 1999

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, each year the National Industries for the 
Blind selects three of its employees to win national awards for 
service, manufacturing and career achievement. I am proud to say that 
this year's winner of the Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award 
is from the Sixth District of North Carolina. The story of our winner, 
Patricia C. Jarrett of Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of the most 
inspirational you will ever hear.
  One sunny summer day in 1977, Patricia went for an early morning walk 
on the beach. Her peaceful stroll was interrupted by a man with a gun 
who abducted her and shot her three times when she tried to escape. He 
left Patricia to die in a sand dune.
  Luckily she was found, but just barely alive. One bullet lodged in 
Patricia's brain, a second had pierced her right shoulder, and the 
third struck her in the nose. When she regained consciousness, Patricia 
was as helpless as a newborn baby.
  The damage was permanent. Patricia lost most of her vision along with 
her hearing in one ear. She was paralyzed on one side of her body. 
Patricia even had to relearn how to swallow and eat. Patricia completed 
the 10th and 11th grades of high school through a home tutoring 
program. She returned to school for the 12th grade winning the award 
for ``the most courageous senior.''
  Fast forward several years to where Patricia met her future husband, 
Doug, at a church retreat conducted, ironically, at the beach. In 1991, 
Patricia entered a training program at Industries and business skills. 
She was hired as Sears TeleService Center where for four years she 
handled customer complaints and scheduled repair calls. In 1996, 
Patricia was hired by the organization which trained her, Industries of 
the Blind, as a receptionist and switchboard operator.
  In her duties, she greets visitors, manages the switchboard, handles 
walk-in sales, and

[[Page E2049]]

processes mail for a manufacturing plant with more than 100 employees. 
In addition to her work responsibilities, Patricia has served on the 
Greensboro Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities. She has 
been involved in initiatives to improve transportation opportunities 
for the disabled and has helped plan annual celebrations in recognition 
of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Patricia was even a 1996 
torchbearer for the Paralympics relay that came through Greensboro on 
its way to Atlanta.
  Now, Patricia is living a full life with no time allowed to feel 
sorry for herself. In addition to her job, Patricia enjoys spending 
time at home with her husband and their dog. Looking to the future, 
Patricia wants to obtain even more computer skills and grow in 
responsibility at the Industries of the Blind.
  On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we 
congratulate Patricia C. Jarrett on her national honor. We are thrilled 
that the National Industries for the Blind awarded Patricia with the 
1999 Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award. Patricia is living 
proof that the human spirit is greater than the evil which walks among 
us and that there are no limits placed upon any of us despite the 
hardships we may endure. Patricia's story is an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________