[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 97 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO PATTI O'ROURKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor the life and memory of an outstanding woman from my district. 
Patti O'Rourke of Pueblo, Colorado made tremendous contributions during 
her lifetime to her community and served as leader and role model for 
many.
  Patti graduated from law school at Fordham University in 1944 and 
went to work with a firm on Wall Street. She later became one of the 
first women to practice law in Pueblo County, Colorado, and in 1981, 
became the county's first female judge. Patti's reputation as a fair 
and caring judge, as well as her lifelong commitment to community 
service, was well known. She donated countless hours to a variety of 
causes that are too numerous to mention. In short, Patti served on many 
community boards, worked tirelessly to support family court reforms, 
and took up the cause for senior citizens. Even after leaving full-time 
service on the bench, Patti's interest in serving others prompted her 
to travel to Denver several times a week to help alleviate a large 
backlog of cases.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the life and memory of Patti 
O'Rourke before this body of Congress and this nation today. By 
reaching heights no other woman had attained, Patti became a pioneer 
who blazed a trail other women could follow. By giving so much of 
herself to the community, Patti became a public servant and a beacon 
for everyone in Pueblo, the State of Colorado, and our nation to 
follow. Patti left the world a better place; she will be missed by her 
family, friends, and the many people whose lives she impacted for the 
better.

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