[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING RETIRING HAMBURG TOWN SUPERVISOR PATRICK H. HOAK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and great pleasure 
to rise today to honor one of Western New York's premiere elected 
leaders, and someone who has given nearly twenty years of dedicated 
service to the residents and taxpayers of the town of Hamburg. I rise 
today to honor retiring Hamburg Town Supervisor Patrick H. Hoak.
  Pat Hoak's love for government service was sparked by the example of 
his father, the late State Senator Bertrand H. Hoak. Through the years, 
Pat has served Hamburg as a community leader, a sports and youth league 
coach, a teacher and a longtime businessman. In 1987, however, he 
assumed more official duties in the town as a member of the Town Board.
  First elected to the Town Board in 1987, Pat served as Councilman 
until his initial election as Town Supervisor in 1993. As Councilman, 
Pat put a great deal of focus on the expansion of recreational programs 
and facilities for town residents, including the expansion of the 
town's golf course.
  Starting in 1992 and for thirteen years afterward, Pat Hoak presided 
over one of the most efficiently-run town governments in New York 
State.
  As Supervisor, Pat's leadership resulted in the creation of 
nationally acclaimed programs for Senior Citizens. His administration 
resulted in an unprecedented level of cooperation between government 
and the private sector in quality of life issues, including combating 
drug addiction and family violence. Working with other dedicated town 
leaders, Pat helped turn the town of Hamburg into a model for town 
governments statewide, winning awards for fiscal responsibility and 
making Hamburg into a premiere suburban town for residents to live, 
work and raise a family.
  The Hoak family has been very blessed over the years, and the family 
has given much back to the community it loves so dearly. For his nearly 
twenty years of public service and his many decades of community 
service, the town of Hamburg is better for the contributions made to it 
by Pat Hoak. We thank him for his service to our community, and wish 
Pat and his family all the best of good luck and Godspeed in all of his 
future endeavors.

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