[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 162 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E993-E994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DAVID PATTEN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 20, 2021

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a servant 
leader, professional athlete, and a son of South Carolina. David 
Patten, Jr., from Columbia, South Carolina, passed away on September 2, 
2021 at the age of 47. He was taken from us too soon but lived his life 
as an example for others to follow and his legacy will live on in the 
countless number of people he touched.
  David was born the third of four children to David Patten, Sr., and 
Betty Williams Patten. He was a football stand out at Lower Richland 
High School and earned a full scholarship to play at Western Carolina 
University.
  When he left college, David was passed over by the National Football 
League (NFL) because of his small stature. But what he didn't have in 
size, he made up for in determination. While working in a coffee bean 
factory, he trained hard to achieve his goal of becoming an NFL player 
and spent time playing in the Canadian and Arena Football Leagues. His 
big break came at a University of South Carolina Pro Timing Day, when 
the New York Giants extended him an invitation to try out. The rest is 
history.
  David went on to have a successful 12-year career as a receiver in 
the NFL, where he earned three Super Bowl rings. He is best remembered 
for making two iconic catches to help the New England Patriots win 
their first Super Bowl in 2001. Over the course of his career, David 
played for the New York Giants (1997 to 1999), Cleveland Browns (2000), 
New England Patriots (2001 to 2004), Washington Redskins (2005 to 
2006), and the New Orleans Saints (2007 to 2008). He played in 147 NFL 
games, caught 324 passes for 4,715 yards and scored 24 touchdowns.
  His motto ``maximum effort'' grew from his philosophy that one must 
work hard to be the best at whatever he pursued. When he retired from 
the NFL, David applied his motto to finishing his degree in social work 
at Western Carolina. He became an ordained minister in 2013. He also 
became a property investor, renovator, and landscaper, all while 
applying his motto, ``maximum effort'' to his life experiences.
  David was a powerful motivational speaker. The driving force in his 
life was his Christian faith, and he became well known for his mission 
to be an ambassador for Christ. David

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married his college sweetheart, Galiena Hardy, and they were a devoted 
couple for 24 years. They established the ``A Way of Life'' (AWOL) 
Ministries. Together they sought to leave no soul lost.
  David leaves to mourn his wife and their four children, David III, 
Daquan, Quinton, and Mia, his parents, siblings and extended family.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the life of David Patten, Jr. President Abraham Lincoln is purported to 
have said, ``It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life 
in your years.'' I believe this to be fitting for David. He lived a 
significant and meaningful life, and we are all better for having had 
him among us.

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