House Resolution 7006, sponsored by Powers, honors Mike Patterson for over fifty years of dedicated public service to the citizens of East Tennessee. Beginning his career with the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA) in 1975, Patterson has significantly contributed to various human service programs, including the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program and the Title XX Home Delivered Meals Program. His roles have included Finance Manager and Assistant Director at the East Tennessee Area Agency on Aging, where he improved financial oversight and operational effectiveness, and later as Director of ETHRA's Transportation Program, where he modernized public transportation services in the region.

Patterson's leadership has led to substantial advancements in public transportation, including securing funding for facility improvements and establishing the first fixed-route transportation program in the area. His efforts to enhance working conditions for transportation employees and implement safety measures have further demonstrated his commitment to community well-being. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tennessee Public Transportation Association. The resolution commends Patterson for his exemplary service and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families throughout Tennessee.