Patricia Paige Post Office

Floor Speech

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Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this piece of legislation to designate the New Kent Post Office in honor of a remarkable public servant, Patricia Paige.

Patricia was the very definition of a community leader, and her impact will be felt for generations.

I knew Patricia. She was an incredible lady, one who served both her country, her Commonwealth, and her community through those years.

After graduating from New Kent High School, she served our Nation honorably in the United States Army Reserve for 21 years, embodying the very best of service and sacrifice.

Patricia's commitment didn't end with her military service. Patricia continued to give back at home. She stepped forward in 2015 to serve on the New Kent County Board of Supervisors. Reelected by her community multiple times, she earned the trust and respect of those whom she represented through her tireless dedication and steady leadership.

When Patricia saw an issue, saw a problem, or saw a challenge, she ran to that opportunity to make sure that she worked for her community. She was fearless, and she was selfless.

During her time on the New Kent County Board of Supervisors, Ms. Paige worked tirelessly to bring people together across generations. She created new opportunities for young people by ensuring student voices were included in local government, appointing high school students to county committees for the very first time. At the same time, she championed efforts to protect seniors by helping establish the Chickahominy Triad to educate older residents about fraud and technological threats.

Patricia was a fighter in every sense of the word. As a cancer survivor, Patricia courageously battled the disease multiple times, while supporting others who were facing similar struggles. She was so brave in the face of this devastating disease that you would never have known that she was facing countless challenges in her own private life and her own personal health as you saw her out in the community serving others.

Whether Patricia was organizing events like the Relay for Life or standing beside fellow survivors, she brought strength, compassion, and dignity to every effort that she pursued.

Beyond her many accomplishments, Patricia Paige will be remembered for her character, a leader with an infectious smile, a steadfast advocate, and somebody who never ever walked away from a challenge in the community.

Patricia never saw a stranger anywhere she went. She worked across the region to accomplish big things, like the extension and expansion of Interstate 64 through New Kent County, which was a passion of hers, and she made sure that that got done.

I can tell you that when members of the legislature and members of the Regional Transportation Authority saw Patricia Paige, they knew what she was going to come and talk to them about and to make sure that her constituents had that modernized transportation system through the county--one that kept travelers safe, but also made sure that there was an economic opportunity in New Kent County based upon that main thoroughfare of Interstate 64.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to speak on behalf of this legislation today to rename the post office in New Kent County so that Patricia Paige's life and her legacy will continue to be recognized for generations to come.

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