[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF EARL PATY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2007

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my dear 
friend Earl Paty, Jr., of Sheridan, Arkansas, who passed away October 
17, 2007, at the age of 76.
  Earl Paty, Jr., was a lifelong resident of Grant County where he 
built a solid foundation of community service that impacted countless 
lives and will forever be remembered by all who knew him. Whether 
serving others during his 40-year career at International Paper Co., or 
through his involvement with numerous local and state organizations, he 
devoted his lifetime to selflessly giving back to the citizens of Grant 
County and the State of Arkansas to make the world a better place.
  Earl Paty, Jr., was a devout man of faith and a member of Moore's 
Chapel United Methodist Church. He took great pride in serving the 
church and congregation on the Administrative Board, as a Sunday School 
teacher and as a delegate to the Arkansas Annual Conference. He even 
rose to the level of becoming a certified lay speaker within the United 
Methodist Church. In addition, he was actively involved with numerous 
local organizations where he devoted his time and heartfelt energies to 
others. These included the Grant County Fair Board, the Grant County 4-
H Club, the Southeast Arkansas District Development Cooperative and the 
Sheridan Masonic Lodge.
  Perhaps my fondest memories of Earl Paty, Jr., are the many 
discussions we had over the years about politics, as he well understood 
how a career in public service could positively affect the lives of 
thousands. I always admired his fervor for politics which took him up 
the ladder from chairman of the Grant County Democratic Party to the 
Executive Director of the Senior Democrats of Arkansas. His 
contributions to the Democratic Party were recognized in 2003 when he 
was honored with the distinguished Harold Jinks Democratic Memorial 
Award. In fact, it was Earl Paty, Jr., who inspired me, through his 
passion and love of politics and public service, to seek elected office 
and run for the seat I now hold as U.S. Representative of Arkansas's 
Fourth Congressional District. For that, I am forever grateful. He was 
a man I truly looked up to and admired and I am blessed to have been 
able to call Earl a dear friend.
  I send my deepest condolences to his wife of 53 years, Betty Sue 
Autrey Paty; his children Patricia Knighten, David Paty, and Leslie 
Tannahill; his two sisters Sue Walker and Faye Welch; and his nine 
grandchildren, two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 
Earl Paty, Jr., will be greatly missed in Sheridan, Grant County and 
throughout the state of Arkansas, and I am truly saddened by this loss.

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