[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9711]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF MAJOR PATRICIA B. OVERTON FOR HER MILITARY SERVICE 
       AND LEADERSHIP OF THE JROTC PROGRAM IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
exemplary member of our community, Major Patricia Overton, for her 
dedicated service to our country and young people through her 
administration of the JROTC program. It is these outstanding qualities 
that have earned her recognition from the Lambda Rho Zeta Chapter of 
the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
  Major Overton, a graduate of the University of Tennessee and Webster 
University, was on active duty from 1981 to 2001 as a U.S. Army 
Officer. She is a member of Lomax Temple AME Zion Church, Detroit 
Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers and the Alpha 
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has received the Meritorious Service 
Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Distinctive 
Silver Instructor award.
  As an outstanding member of her community, Major Overton has 
benefited the JROTC program by serving as the Deputy Director for 17 
high school JROTC programs and approximately 4,000 cadets. Her position 
includes coordinating formal inspections, developing standards for 
staff briefings, producing and editing summer camp newsletters, 
fostering relationships with TACOM/TARDEC for summer jobs for cadets, 
STEM tutoring for cadets and STEM instruction at JCLC. Major Overton 
also improves the lives of our youth by assisting cadets with college 
and scholarship applications. One of her greatest contributions has 
been to establish sponsored visits to West Point for her exceptional 
2nd and 3rd year JROTC cadets who demonstrated interest in a military 
career, which has led an average of acceptance for two of her cadets to 
West Point each year.
  Major Overton has also established a National Forensic League-style 
forensics program for her LET IV cadets, providing them the opportunity 
to enhance their research, critical thinking, and public speaking 
skills, as well as their ability to be informed, engaged citizens of 
our society.
  Mr. Speaker, Major Overton has dedicated her life to serving our 
country through active service and management of the JROTC. From 
helping ensuring JROTC operates as effectively as possible to making 
college a reality for many teenagers, she is a role model to the 
community and the epitome of an excellent leader. She has immensely 
improved the lives of many people through her service. I am pleased to 
honor Major Patricia Overton for her continuing accomplishments and 
service to the community.

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