[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO T.J. PATTERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RANDY NEUGEBAUER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2010

  Mr. NEUGEBAUER. Madam Speaker, in celebration of Black History Month, 
I would like to recognize Thomas James ``T.J.'' Patterson for his 
dedication to the 19th Congressional District of Texas, as well as his 
leadership in honoring Black History Month in Lubbock, Texas.
  Born in Waxahachie, Texas on June 29, 1937, T.J. was raised in 
Wichita Falls and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 
1954. He then went on to attend Bishop College and in 1958 received a 
degree in Physical Education. After graduation, T.J. came to Lubbock 
where he met and married his bride of over 50 years, Bobbie Gean.
  In 1961, T.J. was drafted into the U.S. Army where he valiantly 
served his country. After an honorable discharge, T.J. spent several 
years teaching at the Texas Tech University. In 1977, T.J. co-founded 
the Southwest Digest, a newspaper that has served as a strong voice for 
Lubbock's African American community for over 30 years.
  In 1984, T.J. was elected as the first African American to serve on 
the Lubbock City Council, breaking down barriers for others to serve in 
public offices throughout the community, and I had the honor of serving 
with T.J. on the City Council. After 20 years of serving as the 
representative for District 2, T.J. retired from the Lubbock City 
Council in 2004 as the longest serving council member in Lubbock's 
history. In addition to this service, T.J. was elected president of the 
Texas Municipal League in 1998, becoming the first African American 
president in that organization's history.
  T.J. is an active member of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He is a legend in Lubbock's fight against illegal drugs. Over 
the past several years, T.J. has organized and participated in 
countless marches against drugs and violence. T.J. is an incredible 
role model for not only African American children, but all youth.
  T.J. and his wife have a branch of the Lubbock Public Library named 
after them, the Bobbie Gean and T.J. Patterson Library, and the library 
hosts annual events in honor of Black History Month. They are pillars 
of the community and can be found visiting inmates in the local jail on 
Christmas Day offering messages of encouragement.
  I am honored to know T.J. His message to us is that Black History is 
every day, not just one month out of the year. He is a hero, a public 
servant and a dreamer; a man of character and a faithful man of God. On 
behalf of the 19th Congressional District, including myself, I thank 
T.J. for all he has given and continues to give our community.

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