HR 7006

                                                                      <BillNo> <Sponsor>
                                  HOUSE RESOLUTION 7006
                                           By Powers
                              A RESOLUTION to honor and commend Mike Patterson for his
                                           more than fifty years of public service to the
                                           citizens of East Tennessee.
       WHEREAS, Mike Patterson began his career with the East Tennessee Human
Resource Agency (ETHRA) in 1975 and has devoted more than fifty years of exemplary public
service to improving the lives of individuals and families throughout the East Tennessee region;
and
       WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Patterson has served in numerous
human service programs that provided critical support to vulnerable populations, including the
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program and the Title XX Home Delivered Meals Program,
demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the health, dignity, and well-being of older adults,
children, and families; and
       WHEREAS, in the early 1980s, Mr. Patterson joined the staff of the East Tennessee
Area Agency on Aging as Finance Manager, where he played an instrumental role in
strengthening financial oversight, operational effectiveness, and program accountability for
services supporting older Tennesseans across the region; and
       WHEREAS, over the course of more than two decades with the Area Agency on Aging,
Mr. Patterson rose through the ranks to become Assistant Director, earning the respect of
colleagues, community partners, and public officials through his integrity, professionalism, and
innovative leadership; and
       WHEREAS, during his tenure as Finance Manager and Assistant Director, Mr. Patterson
implemented numerous initiatives that improved efficiency and compliance, including enhanced
payment systems for subcontractors, the implementation of a new software system supporting
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TennCare/Medicaid automated billing, and various administrative improvements that
strengthened the agency's service delivery and stewardship of public resources; and
       WHEREAS, following his service with the Area Agency on Aging, Mr. Patterson became
Director of ETHRA's Transportation Program, where he led transformative efforts to expand and
modernize public transportation services throughout the region; and
       WHEREAS, under his leadership, ETHRA secured funding for substantial improvements
to the regional maintenance facility, established the first fixed-route transportation program in
the region, expanded funding and contractual partnerships with the Federal Transit
Administration, and implemented initiatives that strengthened operational efficiency and
accountability; and
       WHEREAS, Mr. Patterson worked tirelessly to improve compensation and working
conditions for transportation drivers and employees, recognizing the vital role they play in
connecting citizens to employment, healthcare, education, and community resources; and
       WHEREAS, Mr. Patterson further demonstrated visionary leadership through the
implementation of a comprehensive vehicle camera system that mitigated losses, improved
safety, and enhanced the overall integrity of transportation services; and
       WHEREAS, beyond his direct service to ETHRA and the citizens of East Tennessee, Mr.
Patterson contributed to the advancement of public transit statewide through his leadership and
involvement with the Tennessee Public Transportation Association; and
       WHEREAS, in recognition of his extraordinary dedication, professional
accomplishments, and lasting contributions to public transportation and human services, Mr.
Patterson was most recently selected by the Tennessee Public Transportation Association to
receive its Lifetime Achievement Award; and
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       WHEREAS, Mike Patterson's career reflects the very highest ideals of public service,
leadership, innovation, and compassion, and his contributions have left an enduring impact on
the citizens and communities of Tennessee; now, therefore,
       BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, that we recognize
and honor Mike Patterson for his more than fifty years of distinguished public service to the
people of Tennessee and commend him for a lifetime of dedication to strengthening human
services, public transportation, and community well-being throughout East Tennessee and
across our great State.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy.
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