[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 171 (Monday, October 31, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF BILL PATRICK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 31, 2022

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the memory of Bill Patrick, a tenacious public servant from Eastern 
Kentucky, a beloved leader of the Kentucky County Attorneys 
Association, and a champion for drug control policies and addiction 
recovery efforts in the Commonwealth.
  Bill wore many hats with great success, serving in various public 
offices from Powell County to the state capital. He was magnanimous by 
nature and unafraid to effect change at an early age. When he was 26 
years old, he was elected Powell County Judge Executive, courageously 
edging out a long-time incumbent to become the state's youngest top 
county executor at the time. Before his second term ended, Governor 
Wallace Wilkinson appointed him Commissioner of Local Government. 
However, his fast-paced victories didn't come without challenges. Bill 
valiantly battled alcoholism and spent a lifetime helping others do the 
same, offering his personal support through the 12-step recovery 
program and visiting individuals when their struggles intensified. He 
passionately shared his own testimony, planting seeds of hope where it 
was needed the most. Bill proudly earned his 21-year Alcoholics 
Anonymous Medallion just weeks before his battle with cancer proved to 
be too great a feat.
  Even though we stood on opposite sides of the political aisle, Bill 
was a loyal friend and a stalwart partner for programs that would 
improve the future of Eastern Kentucky. As former Director of 
Kentucky's Office of Drug Control Policy, he was one of Operation 
UNITE's greatest allies, working diligently to develop life-saving 
efforts to drive down drug overdose death rates across Kentucky. It was 
evident that his own recovery fueled his courage of conviction as he 
led this arena with tremendous gratitude and humility.
  We lost this Kentucky gentleman far too soon, but Bill's family and 
friends should be proud of the legacy he leaves behind. My wife Cynthia 
and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Patrick family and we 
pray for God's peace and comfort in the days ahead.

                          ____________________