[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 69 (Thursday, May 8, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO PAT BELL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to honor an upstanding 
citizen from my home State, the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Pat Bell grew 
up in the heart of Appalachia and has spent his life working to better 
the region and the lives of those who call it home. The Lake Cumberland 
Area Development District will honor him on May 22 when they name their 
office building The Pat Bell Building.
  Patrick R. Bell was born and raised in McCreary County, Kentucky. Pat 
was always passionate about helping others, and once he finished his 
own education he began teaching in the McCreary County school system, 
rising to the position of school superintendent in the 1960s.
  Following his tenure as superintendent, Pat was selected to be the 
Lake Cumberland Area Development District's first executive director. 
In this capacity Pat was able to increase the quality of life in the 
region by organizing infrastructure projects and developing initiatives 
to increase economic activity.
  Pat left the LCADD after 12 years at the helm, but he never lost his 
desire to serve. In fact, his success at the LCADD led to his next post 
as the Director of the Lake Cumberland District Health Department. Pat 
served as director from 1982 until his retirement in 1994, during which 
the Lake Cumberland District Health Department expanded from five 
member counties to 10.
  His retirement was short lived, however. Never one to turn down an 
opportunity to serve his community, Pat accepted an appointment to 
become mayor of Columbia, KY. He then ran for, and won, a second term, 
which expired in 2010. Although he is once again in retirement, his 
friends and family know him too well to rule out the possibility of 
future public service.
  Pat Bell's seemingly unlimited capacity to serve others is an 
inspiration for us all. He truly has a servant's heart, and I ask that 
my Senate colleagues join me in honoring him today.

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