[2] Congressman Patterson was the first Democrat to be elected to Congress from a district entirely within Orange County, California.

Patterson was also a member of the United States House Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families.

Patterson retired from his law practice in 1997 and has been president of his own public affairs consulting firm since 1998.

Patterson continued to be an educator, community activist and member of nonprofit boards and commissions.

[6] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress