[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE SERVICE AND DEDICATION OF JOE PATTERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 17, 2010

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Joe 
Patterson for his contributions to Tennessee's Sixth Congressional 
District. As any member of Congress knows, our legislative achievements 
and successful constituent services programs would not be possible 
without a cadre of great staff working behind the scenes. They work 
long hours--often for little pay or recognition--and their service is 
simply invaluable to those of us who serve in this esteemed chamber. 
Throughout my 26 years in Congress, I have been fortunate to have many 
bright, able staff members with an interest in serving their country by 
working in this body. Today, I'd like to single out those who are 
serving my constituents as my tenure comes to a close.
  Joe Patterson joined my staff in 2000. Incredibly, that makes him one 
of the newest members of the team in Murfreesboro. It is a joke among 
my staff that even with a decade of dedicated public service under his 
belt, Joe is still the low man on the totem pole in my hometown office.
  All joking aside, Joe's depth of experience overshadows his 
seniority. In addition to his work as my field representative and 
advocate for seniors, persons with disabilities, and those in need of 
housing assistance, Joe also has the responsibility of helping people 
who urgently need passports or visas on short notice. Thousands of 
Sixth District residents might not have been able to attend a loved 
one's funeral, take a business trip or enjoy a hastily-planned 
honeymoon if not for his work expediting their passports. Grateful 
constituents have sent him best wishes from sandy beaches on six 
continents--he's only waiting on Antarctica.
  Joe is an incredibly hard worker. He has a great rapport with the 
constituents he works with and has deep roots in the community. Stories 
of his cows getting through fences on his property and roaming all over 
Cannon County have been the subject of my annual Christmas letters over 
the years. What has never been publicly recognized until now is Joe's 
uncanny knowledge of trivial information. Whether the topic is cuisine 
or the latest hi-tech gadget, Joe can always bring some new and 
interesting tidbit to the conversation.
  An enthusiastic student of aeronautics, Joe has worked with NASA and 
local school districts to enable teachers in Middle Tennessee to attend 
Space Shuttle launches at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The once-in-
a-lifetime experience and lesson plans brought back to the classrooms 
have been a welcome addition to schools across my district. This 
worthwhile endeavor would not have been possible without Joe's passion 
for the subject and dedication to the project.
  Madam Speaker, Joe has been an integral part of my staff and an 
invaluable help to the people of the Sixth District of Tennessee. I 
wish him, his wife, Lori, and their daughter, Kyla, all the best in the 
future.

                          ____________________