[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




GARTH PATTERSON--FRIEND OF THE FISHERMEN, FRIEND OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND 
                            MY GREAT FRIEND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2012

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I have never had to learn 
more about an issue in my life than when I learned in 1992 that the 
City of New Bedford and its fishing industry was included in the new 
Congressional district that I have proudly represented. New Bedford is 
one of the most successful fishing ports in the county, and in fact for 
the 12th consecutive year New Bedford had the highest-valued catch of 
any port in the United States. Fishing is not only a vital part of the 
economy of the region, but an integral component of its culture and 
social makeup. I could not represent the needs of such a unique 
community without a talented staff, and I am honored that my longtime 
aide, Garth Patterson, is the recipient of the 2012 Friend of the 
Fisherman Award recognizing his exemplary work.
  He received this award from the fishing community of New Bedford 
because of the high quality of the work he has done to provide the kind 
of first-rate public service and advocacy that is so essential to the 
continued survival of the fishing industry. In some cases, our advocacy 
can be uncomplicated, but there are also cases where mastering a very 
complex body of data is essential if we are to do our job right. Garth 
provided me with an extraordinary degree of technical expertise, 
practical knowledge, political savvy, and an ability to understand all 
viewpoints and articulate his own. He has been an enormous asset not 
only to me, but also to those concerned with the survival of the 
fishing industry.
  Mr. Speaker, I join the fishermen in thanking Garth. He is a tireless 
advocate for the community, and his nearly quarter century of public 
service is the quintessential model of how constituent relations should 
be conducted. I am proud that he is receiving this award, proud of his 
hard work for the people of Massachusetts, and proud to call him my 
friend.

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