[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 123 (Friday, July 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF PAT FERRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAN BOREN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2008

  Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember a dear friend of 
Southern Oklahoma who passed away on July 20th, 2008 after a short 
battle with cancer. Pat Ferris devotedly served Johnston County as the 
District 1 Commissioner for nearly ten years and was a recognized 
friend of the entire community.
  Pat lived most of his life in his home county, leaving briefly to 
pursue higher education through earning a bachelor's degree in 
Agricultural Education from Oklahoma State University in 1977. Ferris 
was an incredibly active member in the Johnson County community, but 
his true passion was working with Oklahoma youth. He was heavily 
involved with Future Farmers of America and the Johnson County Junior 
Livestock Association.
  While a rancher in Connerville, Oklahoma for most of his life, Pat 
received the call of public service and ran for a County Commissioner 
position in 1998, winning in a hotly contested election. He was 
reelected twice, most recently in 2006. Throughout his tenure in the 
position of Commissioner, Pat worked on issues important to his 
constituency. He was instrumental in preserving the county hospital and 
in the creation of a new jail.
  Pat Ferris is not only dearly remembered by his wife Robin and their 
five children, but also by countless citizens in Johnston County, 
Oklahoma who he touched in the 53 years of his life. I stand today to 
honor and celebrate the life of this great Oklahoman.

                          ____________________