[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 16548-16549] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE LIFE OF PAT FERRIS ______ HON. DAN BOREN of oklahoma in the house of representatives Thursday, July 24, 2008 Mr. BOREN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember a dear friend of Southern Oklahoma who passed away on July 20th, 2008 after a short battle with cancer. Pat Ferris devotedly served Johnston County as the District 1 Commissioner for nearly ten years and was a recognized friend of the entire community. Pat lived most of his life in his home county, leaving briefly to pursue higher education through earning a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education from Oklahoma State University in 1977. Ferris was an incredibly active member in the Johnson County community, but his true passion was working with Oklahoma youth. He was heavily involved with Future Farmers of America and the Johnson County Junior Livestock Association. While a rancher in Connerville, Oklahoma for most of his life, Pat received the call of public service and ran for a County Commissioner position in 1998, winning in a hotly contested election. He was reelected twice, most recently in 2006. Throughout his tenure in the position of Commissioner, Pat worked on issues important to his constituency. He was instrumental in preserving the county hospital and in the creation of a new jail. Pat Ferris is not only dearly remembered by his wife Robin and their five children, but also by countless citizens in Johnston County, Oklahoma who he touched in the 53 years of his life. I stand today to honor and celebrate the life of this great Oklahoman. [[Page 16549]] ____________________