[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 11 (Thursday, January 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E64-E65]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BEV FITZPATRICK TO THE ROANOKE REGION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 18, 2018

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, during my service in Congress, I have had 
the great opportunity to meet men and women in Virginia's Sixth 
Congressional District who exemplify what it means to serve. One of 
these individuals is Beverly T. ``Bev'' Fitzpatrick, Jr. I've had the 
great honor of knowing Bev for many years, and I have seen just how 
much of an impact he has had on the Roanoke region.
  Bev grew up in South Roanoke. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1970 
and went on to serve in the United States Army. After his time in the 
military, Bev returned home to Roanoke. Over the years, he has worked 
in a variety of fields, including finance, economic development, 
education, public television, and

[[Page E65]]

transportation--impacting western Virginia in his own unique way in 
each position. He even served on the Roanoke City Council. It would be 
difficult to convince me that there is something Bev has not done, and 
done well for that fact.
  After serving as the head of the Virginia Museum of Transportation in 
Roanoke for 11 years, Bev retired from his post of Executive Director 
on December 31, 2017. During this time, he oversaw the complete 
turnaround of the museum. Attendance increased from 12,000 to about 
50,000 visitors a year. The staff grew and the annual operations budget 
more than doubled. Thanks to his dedication, the museum highlights 
Virginia's transportation history as well as the Roanoke region's rich 
rail heritage. Without Bev's leadership the Virginia Museum of 
Transportation would not be the well-known and respected place it is 
today.
  Bev was also instrumental in bringing the historic Norfolk & Western 
Class J 611 steam engine back online. In 2015, after much hard work and 
multiple rounds of negotiations, the 611 began operating passenger rail 
excursions, attracting railroad enthusiasts from around the world and 
across the country and local families alike. It is America's railroad 
history brought to life.
  Bev Fitzpatrick's legacy is one of service. His love for 
transportation and the Roanoke Valley is seen in every comer of the 
museum, inside and out. I want to thank him for making the museum his 
final destination in a career of service to the community. It's been a 
true pleasure to work closely with him over the years on so many 
ventures that have benefitted Virginia's Blue Ridge region. I know Bev 
and his wife, Shirley, look forward to some much-deserved time off to 
spend with one another and their family and friends.
  Congratulations on a well-earned retirement.

                          ____________________