[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO ROBERT PATRICK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2003

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
Arkansan, an outstanding citizen and one of our state's enduring 
treasures, Robert Patrick. I am proud to recognize Mr. Patrick in the 
United States Congress for his invaluable contributions and dedicated 
service to the people of Arkansas County and the nation.
  Mr. Patrick was born and raised in DeWitt, which is located in the 
same county where I was raised. While he was still a teenager, Mr. 
Patrick left the small community where he grew up to serve his country 
in the United States Navy. After returning home from his distinguished 
military service, Mr. Patrick married his lovely wife Doris, a fellow 
Arkansas County native.
  Mr. Patrick built a successful career as an energetic and successful 
salesman traveling the country to make a living and support his family. 
He, Doris and their two children, Pam and Kevin, lived in locales as 
varied as California, Missouri and even Connecticut, where the Patrick 
family owned and operated a sports and hobby shop.
  As Mr. Patrick neared retirement age, he and Doris decided to move 
back to her hometown, St. Charles, where his dedication to community 
service took root. Just two years after moving to St. Charles, Mr. 
Patrick was elected mayor, and it seems like he hasn't rested since.
  Personally, I think of him as the consummate utility man--and not 
because he has worked tirelessly to upgrade the natural gas, water and 
sewer infrastructure in St. Charles. Rather, just like a good utility 
player on a baseball team that's willing to play any position in the 
field to help his team, Mr. Patrick has been willing to do anything to 
improve his town. He has done everything from securing a full-time 
police officer for St. Charles to erecting the city's annual Christmas 
light display.
  Mr. Patrick embodies everything that's wonderful about living in 
small town America. He has generously shared his time and talent with 
the citizens of Arkansas County and it's a better place to live because 
of him. On behalf of Congress, I salute Mayor Robert Patrick of St. 
Charles, and thank him for his tireless service to his community, his 
state and his nation.

                          ____________________