[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING PATRICIA SMITH OF LEBANON ON HER RETIREMENT FROM THE FARM 
                             SERVICE AGENCY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2012

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my heartiest 
congratulations and thanks to Patricia Smith of Lebanon for her more 
than three decades of service to farmers in eastern Connecticut. This 
past December, Pat retired after 31 years of working for the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency's Connecticut office.
  After graduating from Norwich Free Academy, Pat began working at the 
Groton Sub Base. She later worked in Boston at the Naval Shipyards, a 
rural letter carrier in Lebanon, Connecticut and also at the Social 
Security office in Willimantic, Connecticut. Always a dedicated public 
servant, Pat worked hard to serve the people of eastern Connecticut in 
her various capacities. In 1980, Pat was hired by current Connecticut 
Farm Service Agency Executive Director Marsha Jette to serve as a 
Program Technician assisting farmers in eastern Connecticut.
  Pat's experience as a herdswoman on her brother Nathan R. Cushman's 
farm gave her the hands-on experience she needed to provide dedicated 
and timely service to her fellow farmers. At the time she began working 
for USDA in 1980, Pat also milked 16 20 Brown Swiss cows that she kept 
at her residence that belonged to her and her daughter Julie who was 
actively involved in the 4 H program.
  Pat's dedication to her work never wavered despite the challenging 
times dairy farmers and others in Connecticut faced during her three 
decades at USDA. While Pat's retirement has left a void that will not 
easily be filled at the Farm Service Agency office, she continues her 
service through volunteer efforts at the New London County Farm Service 
Agency office. Always the dedicated public servant, Pat Smith's 
experience and care for her fellow farmers will be sorely missed as she 
moves from full time work to volunteering for farmers in Connecticut. I 
ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Pat on her retirement 
and wish her well in her continued efforts.

                          ____________________