[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 120 (Monday, July 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING WILLIAM PATTERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 25, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career 
and lifetime of leadership of Mr. William Patterson as he receives a 
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Boys Scouts of America--San 
Francisco Bay Area Council. Mr. Patterson's dedication and 
contributions to the San Francisco Bay Area have aided in the success 
and advancement of thousands of people and he is widely recognized as 
one of Oakland's civic champions due to his involvement in many 
political campaigns and community organizations in the last four 
decades.
  Mr. Patterson first learned to help others at all times when he 
became a Boy Scout in 1948. As a Scout, Mr. Patterson learned the 
values of Scout Law that would ultimately guide his life of service. 
Further, Mr. Patterson received both his Bachelor's and Master's 
degrees from San Francisco State University.
  Mr. Patterson went on to serve as the President of The East Bay 
Municipal Utility District's (EBMUD) Board of Directors and left a 
lasting impact. Mr. Patterson was able to significantly expand the 
retirement fund assets. He is also a retired Oakland Parks and 
Recreation Manager, who has been credited widely by many established 
athletes who have gone on to gain Hall of Fame Recognition, including 
the likes of basketball's Bill Russell an baseball's Joe Morgan. In 
addition, Mr. Patterson was a close confidant and advisor to the late 
Oakland Mayor Lionel Wilson and worked for the Oakland Parks and 
Recreation Commission for thirty seven years until his retirement. He 
is the only former employee to serve as a member of the Oakland Parks 
and Recreation Commission, displaying his exceptional dedication to the 
greater Oakland community.
  Mr. Patterson has an extensive and impressive background of 
involvement in the community. Mr. Patterson was a three-term president 
of the Oakland chapter of the National Association for the Advancement 
of Colored People (NAACP), a seven-year past chair for the NAACP Life 
Membership Committee and eight year member of the NAACP National Life 
Membership Committee. He served as Chair of The Alameda County Juvenile 
Delinquency Prevention Committee and Chair of its Public Ethics and 
Parks and Recreation Commission, the Workforce Investment Board, and 
Pardee Museum Board.
  In addition to his impressive and extensive career, he has received 
countless awards in recognition of his accomplishments from government, 
community and political organizations. Some of the most honorable 
awards includes: California Attorney General's Award of Excellence in 
Civil Rights, City of Oakland Living Legends Award, the naming of Bill 
Patterson Park, African American Water Leadership Coalition (AAWLC) 
Legacy Award, Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School Legacy Award, McClymonds 
High School Legacy Award, and Shiloh Church of Oakland Living Legacy 
Award.
  Mr. Patterson currently lives in Oakland, California with his wife 
and son; he remains active in numerous community activities. Currently, 
he serves as a Board Member of The Joe Morgan Youth, Oakland Urban 
Strategies Council, Oakland NAACP Executive Committee, the Oakland East 
Bay Black Elected Officials Council and as an advisor to Oakland Mayor 
Libby Schaaf. Mr. Patterson is a member of Oakland's Rotary Club #3, 
Golden Heritage Life Member of NAACP, and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi 
Fraternity.
  On a personal note, Bill has been a supporter and colleague for many 
years. I value his expertise, his brilliance, and most importantly, his 
friendship.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors a 
great friend of the Bay Area and a true champion of civil service, Mr. 
William Patterson. His work with the NAACP, EBMUD, Oakland's Parks and 
Recreation and embodiment of Scout Law has had a tremendously positive 
impact on California's 13th District, and we are lucky to have him 
remain active in our community in all of his future endeavors.

                          ____________________