The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO DAVID PATTEN, JR.
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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 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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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 162
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