[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 198 (Monday, December 17, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MS. PATRICIA W. McDOWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 17, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. 
Patricia W. McDowell on the occasion of her retirement from USDA Rural 
Development following 30 years of exemplary service to the State of 
Mississippi and to the Nation.
  Raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Patricia graduated from Wingfield 
High School in 1974 and then attended Jackson State University. She 
began her career with the Farmer's Home Administration in 1988, 
following employment with the American Red Cross in service to military 
families. Patricia's initial duties with USDA began in the Single 
Family Housing Program as a Loan Clerk. She was then promoted to the 
position of Community & Business Programs Technician, and later she was 
promoted to the position of Loan Specialist within the Community 
Programs Division. In February 2017, Patricia was promoted to Community 
Programs Director where she has ably led the Division and will retire 
on December 31, 2018.
  In her role as Community Programs Director for USDA Rural Development 
in the State of Mississippi Patricia has provided communities 
throughout the state with access to the services they need to grow and 
thrive. She has ensured that Mississippi's rural citizens have access 
to basic necessities such as: safe water, electrical utilities, and 
healthcare services. She has worked diligently to utilize the resources 
under her authority to promote educational opportunities, support law 
enforcement and emergency responders, and promote access to childcare 
and other critical community facilities. In every aspect of her work, 
she has performed professionally and with great enthusiasm, and she is 
a shining example for those who will follow in her footsteps.
  Mr. Speaker, too often we overlook the many contributions made by the 
career civil servants of the U.S. Government who work so diligently and 
professionally in service to their country and community. Patricia has 
made a career of serving others, and her work has had a direct and 
positive influence on the lives of literally tens of thousands of 
Mississippians. It is my honor to represent Ms. Patricia W. McDowell in 
Congress, and a privilege to offer her the genuine gratitude of this 
chamber in support of three exemplary decades of civil service. I 
congratulate Patricia for her years of service and the innumerable 
contributions she has made to improve the quality of life of rural 
Mississippians. I know her service to others is not over, and I wish 
her the best as she moves on to the next chapter of her life.

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