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 R. H. Patterson
The Chairman’s Award is given to a person who has demonstrated a high level of commitment to the community, the state, and its people without regard for personal gain.
The award personifies the best in public service and the utmost in recognizing the recipient’s motivation to “slay the giant” if it is necessary to improve the circumstance for the entire community.
Mr. Patterson was chosen to receive the award because he has devoted many years of his life to fighting to educate the legislature and the public to the dangers of alcohol use and abuse.
“Mr. Patterson has warned us frequently and unceasingly that the problems associated with the use and abuse of alcohol will only increase as the product is made more available,” Sen. Fair said.
“He has reminded us that the marketplace for beverage alcohol should be treated with the same caution we give the other controlled drugs.
“He has asked us to recover enough revenues from the beverage alcohol industry to help defray the public costs associated with the consumption of beverage alcohol.
“In recent years Mr. Patterson has slowed down but only a little. In spite of the difficulties with illness, at age 92 he continues to stand before policy makers with an encyclopedic mind reciting the numbers that are true and are troubling.
“He has been immensely successful in making us aware of this sobering fact. Our society has become addicted to the revenues derived from a product in which there is a very dark side.
“Mr. Patterson has made us aware of our own lack of commitment to virtue not because of any discourtesy… He is always a gentleman… but because he always demonstrates the best in courage in the face of adversity!” Sen. Fair concluded.
“We thank you and ask you to accept this award given from a grateful county and state.”
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