[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





RECOGNIZING PATRICIA VAIL FOR RECEIVING THE FLORIDA BAR PRESIDENT'S PRO 
            BONO SERVICE AWARD FOR THE 4TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

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                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 9, 2016

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Patricia Vail for 
receiving The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award for the 
4th Judicial Circuit.
   In her legal career, she has served in several capacities, from 
statewide coordinator for Florida Legal Services to corporate counsel 
for CSX Transportation. In addition, Patricia has also served on the 
board of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. Upon retirement from CSX 
Transportation, Patricia served in The American Bar Association's 
Collaborative Europe and Eurasia Law Initiative program as a volunteer 
lawyer in Kazakhstan. Patricia's commitment to pro bono work for low-
income people and her positive impact have been quite remarkable.
   Since 2008, Patricia has been a regular presence in Northeast 
Florida senior citizen centers and HUD residential facilities, where 
she has become a trusted pro bono legal resource. Patricia meets with 
individuals and groups as legal questions arise, and she helps prepare 
simple wills, durable powers of attorney, designation of health care 
surrogate, and designation of pre-need guardian. For nearly three 
years, Patricia provided these services single-handedly. When it became 
clear that the need far exceeded one attorney's ability in 2011, 
Patricia initiated a program to serve more area seniors with 
comprehensive and scheduled legal services called Advance Directives 
for Seniors Project. The Project provides 60-80 seniors annually with 
complete advance directive packets and has expanded to include senior 
patients at medical clinics and seniors at the Councils on Aging in 
Clay and Nassau counties.
   In recognition of all her countless hours spent helping needy 
Jacksonville area residents through pro bono legal work, Patricia Vail 
was selected to receive The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service 
Award for the 4th Judicial Circuit.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask you and Members of Congress to join me in 
congratulating Patricia Vail on winning the Florida Bar President's Pro 
Bono Service Award.

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