[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 94 (Friday, June 2, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E745-E746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RETIREMENT OF PATRICIA BROUGHTON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 2, 2017

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Patricia 
Broughton, a dedicated public servant who is retiring after serving 
five members of Congress in the Los Angeles Harbor Region. This week is 
Patricia's last week as my San Pedro caseworker. I like to call her a 
miracle worker.
   Patricia is retiring after a 29 year long distinguished career 
advocating for the interests of constituents and our community. I 
extend my sincerest appreciation to her for her decades of dedicated 
service to the Los Angeles Harbor Region and our nation.
   Patricia was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. She spent her 
formative years in Japan and returned to the United States in 1963. 
After her studies, she moved to Long Beach, California, and began her 
congressional career in 1989.
   Over the years, Patricia has developed a reputation in the Los 
Angeles Harbor Region as a champion for constituents. My predecessors--
including former Representatives Janice Hahn, Jane Harman, the late 
Steve Horn, and the late Glen Anderson--and I have received countless 
letters of appreciation from those whose lives were positively impacted 
by Patricia, and in 2011 the Wilmington Coordinating Council awarded 
her their ``Outstanding Civil Servant'' award.
   As I mentioned, Patricia is a miracle-worker, and has handled 
virtually every type of case that is referred to a congressional 
office. She has solved complex Social Security and Medicare claims for 
seniors, helped disabled veterans who were not receiving their earned 
disability checks, and assisted those who had trouble with the 
Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Internal Revenue 
Service.
   Patricia has been a voice for those in need and a source of comfort 
for those trapped in the bureaucratic maze that is the federal 
government. For example, Patricia successfully

[[Page E746]]

helped a Vietnam veteran get compensation with the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for a $200,000 claim.
   Among her many other responsibilities and accomplishments include 
organizing workshops for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals 
beneficiaries, and resolving thousands of casework files.
   Patricia is also devoted to the humane treatment of animals. She 
heroically rescued a dog that was hit by a car and abandoned in front 
of my predecessor's district office, taking the injured dog home and 
making it a part of her family.
   Her coworkers and I have enjoyed working with her and will miss her 
warm heart and signature elegance. Her compassion, persistence, and 
dedication have left a lasting mark on thousands of residents in my 
district and the Los Angeles Harbor Region.
   I am sure that I speak for the dozens of people who have worked with 
Patricia throughout her career in congratulating her upon her 
retirement and extending our heartfelt gratitude for her remarkable 
dedication to public service.

                          ____________________