MEXICO - A 20-year Mexico towing service owner, who won a national towing award last fall, was honored by the 123rd Legislature on Saturday afternoon in front of family and friends inside the new Mexico Lions Hall.

During the small ceremony, Rep. Sheryl J. Briggs, D-Mexico, presented a surprised Roland Patneaude, owner of Roland's Automotive on River Road, with legislative sentiment.

The document recognized Patneaude's induction on Nov. 16 into the national Order of the Towman at the American Towman Wrecker Pageant in the World Trade Center at Baltimore.

Patneaude - the only one from Maine - was one of 63 nationwide tow truck owners honored for their dedication to towing and the communities they serve.

"Only in Mexico," Patneaude, 53, of Roxbury said, arms outstretched after Briggs handed him the document. "It is quite an honor to be recognized. I appreciate it a lot."

Friends and family then gave him a standing ovation.

"I'm overwhelmed. I'm very proud of him," Patneaude's wife, Gloria, said while watching people congratulate her husband.

At the Maryland ceremony, which more than 4,000 people attended, Patneaude's daughter Renee Hodsdon pinned his Cross of the Order on his chest.

During Saturday's event, Patneaude proudly wore that medal, which hung from a black and red ribbon from his denim business shirt.

"That was such an honor for him to receive this award," Briggs said, then explained why the Legislature followed suit. "He was the only gentleman from the state of Maine, so the state felt that it was very important he be recognized for this prestigious award."

Briggs, a longtime family friend, cosponsored the sentiment with sponsor Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Canton.

"It was an aide to the state who initiated it. He felt Roland needed to be recognized. When I told Gloria we had this for him, she got really emotional and cried. She said she couldn't believe the state of Maine would do this," Briggs said.

Patneaude, who has 25 years of towing experience, said tow truck owners get inducted into the Order for their professional service, going beyond what's expected of them, and for giving of themselves.

For instance, he said he conducts trainings for firefighters to make them aware of dangers around accident scenes.

But it was letters of appreciation from towing customers and a recommendation letter from Mexico police Chief Jim Theriault that put Patneaude in the running for the national award, Patneaude said.

Except at first, he didn't think it was real.

He said he threw the first letter from American Towman away without opening the envelope, believing it to be advertising and not notification of a national award which he had won. Patneaude received a second letter soon after, stating on the envelope it was his second letter and that there was very important information inside. Intrigued, he opened it.

The letter inside informed him he had only 14 days to contact American Towman and let them know if he would accept his induction in person. He still didn't believe it was real until after he called a phone number on the letter. Briggs said she was there when he did.

"Suddenly, he was beaming and he said, 'This is for real!'" she said.

Both the induction and legislative sentiment, Briggs added, were fitting recognition.

"Roland always gives with his heart and soul. He always goes above and beyond the call of duty," she said.