[House Prints, 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
A Ceremony
Unveiling the Portrait
of
THE HONORABLE
LAMAR S. SMITH
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Wednesday, June 11, 2014
2141 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC
COMMITTEE PRINT
A Ceremony
Unveiling the Portrait
of
THE HONORABLE
LAMAR S. SMITH
A Representative in Congress from the State of Texas
January 6, 1987-Present
Elected to the 100th Congress
Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary
One Hundred Twelfth Congress
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PROCEEDINGS
before the
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
U.S. House of Representatives
June 11, 2014
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 2014
88-956 PDF
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
A Ceremony
Unveiling the Portrait
of
THE HONORABLE
LAMAR S. SMITH
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
U.S. House of Representatives
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
[ iii ]
The Honorable Lamar S. Smith
Congressman Lamar Smith served as Chairman of the House
Committee on the Judiciary in the 112th Congress from 2011-
2013. The Judiciary Committee approved 33 substantive bills
that became law, more than any other Committee in that
Congress. Congressman Smith also served as Ranking Member of
the Committee during the 110th and 111th Congresses, from 2007-
2011.
Before becoming Chairman of the Judiciary Committee,
Congressman Smith served as Chairman of the Immigration
Subcommittee, Crime Subcommittee and Intellectual Property
Subcommittee.
During the 112th Congress, Congressman Smith sponsored H.R.
1249, the ``America Invents Act,'' which was the most
significant update to our patent system in 60 years. President
Barack Obama called the bill the most significant bipartisan
achievement of the 112th Congress. The America Invents Act
streamlines the patent approval process to ensure that better
patents get approved more quickly.
In 2011, Congressman Smith was named Policymaker of the
Year by POLITICO for his work on patent reform legislation. He
was one of two House Members to receive this honor.
One of his top priorities as Chairman of the Judiciary
Committee was to help put child pornographers out of business
and behind bars. Chairman Smith worked across party lines to
secure the enactment of the Child Protection Act. The
bipartisan law increases penalties for child pornography,
increases support for child victims/witnesses, and gives
federal investigators new tools to track down fugitive sex
predators.
Under Chairman Smith, the House Judiciary Committee also
passed six bills to rein in federal regulations--four of which
were approved by the House of Representatives--and held 15
hearings to examine how Congress can reduce the burden of
regulations on small businesses.
As Chairman, Representative Smith was instrumental in
enacting a 4-year extension of three expiring PATRIOT Act
provisions to keep Americans safe from terrorist attacks. And
he helped legislation to become law that increased penalties
for economic espionage and theft of American trade secrets.
From 1995-2000, Congressman Smith served as the Chairman of
the Immigration Subcommittee. In 1996, he coauthored the
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act,
which was the most significant update to our immigration laws
since 1986. As Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Smith
continued to promote strong immigration enforcement, including
the use of E-Verify, the government's system to help employers
verify the status of prospective employees. He also authored
the STEM Jobs Act, which passed the House during the 112th
Congress. The legislation eliminated the diversity visa lottery
and reallocated visas to new programs for foreign graduates of
U.S. universities with advanced STEM degrees.
Congressman Smith is currently Chairman of the Science
Committee. He is former Chairman of the Ethics Committee and a
former Member of the Budget Committee, making him the only
current Member to have chaired three Committees. During his
time on the Budget Committee, Congress enacted the first
balanced budget in over 20 years.
A fifth generation Texan and native of San Antonio,
Congressman Smith graduated from Yale University and Southern
Methodist University School of Law. Before his election to the
House of Representatives, he practiced law, managed a family
ranch and began his career in public service as a Texas state
representative and Bexar County commissioner. He and his wife,
Beth, have an adult daughter and son.
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About the Artist
John Boyd Martin is uniquely distinguished for creating a
strong, vibrant, accurate likeness, while capturing and
maintaining the warmth and essence of the subjects of his
portraits. This distinctive style is achieved through the use
of a broad brush stroke and a palate of rich, diversified
colors.
``The ability to achieve a likeness is a basic human
requirement,'' says Mr. Martin. ``Painting the portrait of a
human being also demands a considerable amount of perception,
discipline and sensitivity. Above all, it should capture the
personality--who the person really is.''
Mr. Martin's portraits create a dialogue with the viewer,
conveying the accomplishments of the subject, as well as a
reference to the institution honoring them.
A native of Kansas and graduate of the University of Kansas
School of Fine Arts, where he was an honor student and member
of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Mr. Martin began his career as
an advertising director and illustrator, winning more than 150
awards for his work over the years. In 1986 he turned his full
attention to his first love--portraiture.
Mr. Martin's works include Members of Congress, five former
secretaries of the United States Army, two former Secretaries
of Agriculture, a former Secretary of Defense, Director of the
National Science Foundation, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, other government officials, and numerous industry and
university executives.
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Artist: John Boyd
Martin
The Honorable Lamar S. Smith
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, 112th Congress
P R O G R A M
Welcome
The Honorable Bob Goodlatte
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary
Remarks
The Honorable Eric Cantor
Majority Leader, House of Representatives
Unveiling of the Portrait
Mrs. Beth Schaefer-Smith
Ms. Nell Smith
Mr. Tobin Smith
Acceptance of the Portrait
The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker, House of Representatives
Response
The Honorable Lamar S. Smith
The Unveiling and Presentation of the Official Portrait of
THE HONORABLE LAMAR S. SMITH
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
U.S. House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC.
WELCOME
The Honorable Bob Goodlatte
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary
Mr. Goodlatte. Order in the court. It has been a long time since we
have had a good hanging in the House Judiciary Committee.
[Laughter.]
And I can't think of anyone who deserves it more than my dear friend
Lamar Smith.
And it is an honor for me to welcome all of you to the Committee room
and to help make sure that this goes along very smoothly.
Lamar and I go back a long way, in fact, long before we even realized
it. Lamar's grandfather was my parents' attorney in Springfield,
Massachusetts, way back in the 1930s. We found that out when I got
here to join Lamar in the Congress.
But I have no dearer friend in the House than Lamar. It is a great
honor to have succeeded him as Chairman of this Committee. And it
is only appropriate that he be honored with the hanging of his
portrait here today.
I want to take a moment to recognize the current and former Members who
are joining us tonight. So far I have seen John Conyers, Sandy
Adams, Speaker Boehner is on his way, Kevin Brady, Leader Cantor is
here, Jason Chaffetz, Howard Coble, Steve Cohen, Henry Cuellar, Tom
Davis, Bill Flores, Bart Gordon, Kay Granger, Tom Marino, John
Carter, Ralph Hall, George Holding, Darrell Issa, Eddie Bernice
Johnson, Steve King, Kenny Marchant, Randy Neugebauer, Ted Poe,
Dennis Ross, Adam Schiff, Steve Stockman, Mac Thornberry, Marc
Veasey, Mel Watt, Roger Williams, Jim Walsh, and Howard Berman,
Mike Conaway, Joe Barton, Mike Burgess, Randy Weber, Louie Gohmert,
Pete Sessions, Trent Franks, Bill Delahunt, and Ted Deutch.
That is great. Thank you all for coming here.
I also want to acknowledge these groups and individuals who helped make
this event a success: Thorsen French Advocacy; Altria Client
Services; Dell, Incorporated; Epiphany Productions; Wine and
Spirits Wholesalers of America; AT&T; CBS Corporation; Express
Scripts; Recording Industry Association of America; Viacom;
National Beer Wholesalers Association; Texas Instruments; The
Entertainment Software Association; Microsoft; Sony Pictures; Time
Warner; Universal Music; the Walt Disney Company; the Nickels
Group; and Cynthia Merifield Tripodi.
Thank you all for the contributions that have gone to the Capitol
Historical Society and helped to pay for this beautiful portrait.
I want to say that Chairman Smith disproved the idea that the House
Judiciary Committee is the most polarized, difficult place in the
House of Representatives to work. And John Conyers did that before
him as well.
This Committee is lawyered up very well. And we make sure that bills
are gone over and debated very thoroughly. But we produce a lot of
legislation in this Committee. And during Lamar's tenure, I think
more bills were signed into law that originated in the House
Judiciary Committee than any other Committee in the Congress, and
that is a testimony to his working with Members of the Committee on
both sides of the aisle, and I would like to say I have learned
from both these gentlemen.
So, congratulations, Lamar. [Applause.]
Now, we are very, very fortunate to be joined this evening by the
Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, who
in my opinion has shown incredible leadership in this House of
Representatives for these last several years. He is a man of great
character. And a man for all seasons, who I and I think all of you
have tremendous respect for.
Our Majority Leader, Eric Cantor. [Applause.]
REMARKS
The Honorable Eric Cantor
Majority Leader
Mr. Cantor. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
It is really a pleasure to be here and especially to be here for our
good friend, Lamar Smith. First of all, he is one of the--if not
the most-- hard-working Member of Congress. Lamar has been Chairman
of three Committees, the Ethics Committee, the Judiciary Committee,
and now the Science Committee. With each and every one of those,
not a day goes by without Lamar's imprint on some work product
coming out of those Committees. I don't think any one of us takes
our job more seriously than Lamar. So it is a great honor to be
able to call him ``friend.''
Secondly, Lamar, ever since I came here, has been about tearing down
the barriers that have been erected to innovation since he believes
that this country is the cradle of innovation. That is what can
propel our economy forward, that can produce the kind of jobs that
we are looking for today. And Lamar believes that it is our legal
structure that allows that innovation to occur, that certainty that
comes with the law without unnecessary red tape in the way.
So whether it was the America Invents Act of 2011 or whether it was the
STEM visa bill of 2011, Lamar is for and about innovation.
So I am here not only for those two things but also, as Bob said, he
has been a dear, dear friend to me. And I want to congratulate him
on his tenure as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and just wish
him well.
Thank you. [Applause.]
RESPONSE
The Honorable Lamar S. Smith
Former Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary
Mr. Smith. I know the Majority Leader has to go, but I just want to
thank him profusely for stopping by and sharing those comments with
us today.
This can't be an easy day for him. But for him to find the time to come
by and talk to you all and say those wonderfully complimentary
things about me shows a great deal about how classy of an
individual he is and how much character he has as well.
Now let me return the favor. There is nobody in Congress who works
harder than Eric Cantor to help us set the agenda and to help us
strategize. I know my Democratic friends might not like to hear all
this, but he has done a great job. No one has worked harder to help
set the agenda and help pass legislation that benefits all
Americans. Eric is a strategizer par excellence. He looks at
everything from 360 degrees, and I don't know of anyone else who
does it as well as he does.
And lastly, Eric really has sacrificed for all of us. When I say ``all
of us,'' I am talking specifically about Members of Congress. He
has traveled around the country. He has come to our events. He has
formulated issues. And all that has really been a sacrifice. And he
has made it for all of us.
So we are going to continue to think of Eric Cantor always as our
Majority Leader whatever he may decide to do. But he will always be
a special friend. And again, I can't think of any better leader and
anyone else who has done more for us.
So, Eric, thank you very much. [Applause.]
Mr. Cantor. Thank you.
UNVEILING OF THE PORTRAIT
Mrs. Beth Schaefer-Smith, Ms. Nell Smith and Mr. Tobin Smith
Mr. Goodlatte. Well, folks, we have some other very, very special
guests here this evening who are going to help us unveil the
portrait. And that is Lamar's family. So I would like to ask Beth
Schaefer-Smith's and Lamar's daughter, Nell Smith, and son, Tobin
Smith, to come forward. And I think there is a cord right here.
[Whereupon the portrait was unveiled.]
[Applause.]
Mr. Goodlatte. We are expecting the Speaker to join us momentarily. But
in the meantime, I think, Lamar, since the artist was not available
to be here this evening, wants to tell you a little bit about this
portrait.
RESPONSE
The Honorable Lamar S. Smith
Former Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary
Mr. Smith. Before I go too far into my remarks, let me just say a
couple things about Bob Goodlatte. I want to thank Bob for being a
wonderful master of ceremonies for us today. It is just a privilege
to have him succeed me as Chairman of the Committee. As Bob said,
we are best of friends. And it is nice to hear that story Bob
described about my grandfather and his parents. We literally did
not know that until we were sitting next to each other one time on
the House floor. We started talking about family backgrounds and so
forth and discovered the connection back to Springfield,
Massachusetts. And here we are representing Texas and Virginia
today. And we went and had lunch and discovered a few more things
that we had in common. So it was a really, really nice beginning of
a friendship.
I also want to say to you all that I consider Bob Goodlatte to be an
ideal Member of Congress. And I say that because he is persistent,
he is knowledgeable and smart, and he also has a positive outlook.
I have seen Bob achieve incredible accomplishments and do wonderful
things as a Member of Congress. But every now and then, there will
be a setback, and he always has a smile. He always is willing to
come back the next day to try to work things out. So when you have
that combination of smart and persistent and good attitude, that is
the ideal combination.
So let's give a round of applause to Bob Goodlatte. [Applause.]
I do want to tell you a little about the portrait. And I regret the
artist is out of the country. We never could figure out a time when
he was available and all family members were available as well.
In my view, maybe because I had low expectations, but I was very happy
with the result. So it worked out well.
I know the family has been introduced. But I want to introduce them
again. My wife, Beth, here on my left; daughter, Nell; son, Tobin.
They will be mentioned again when we get to the portrait in a
second.
I want to thank all my colleagues who are here tonight as well.
Frankly, they have lots of other things to do, and I just
appreciate their taking the time to be here. I know they have been
recognized and introduced, and that is very, very appropriate.
The donors were also mentioned by Bob a few minutes ago, and I thank
them for making this portrait possible and for doing so in such a
generous way.
It is also nice to have friends here, and I have a couple of friends
who actually came up from Austin, and I didn't know they were going
to do that. So it is nice to have them here, too, as well as past
and present staff members. We benefit greatly from their expert
advice during our Committee hearings and markups and in many other
ways.
The artist of this portrait is John Martin. I want to run through
quickly the contents of the portrait.
And let me start with, to my left in the portrait on the credenza, a
family photograph. It is actually a Christmas card. And, again, it
is Beth; Tobin in the middle; and then Nell. Tobin is actually
sitting down. Since he is 6'4'', we don't want him to tower over
everybody else. [Laughter.]
The Capitol Dome is in the background-- then you have the blue skies
and the white clouds. And that is actually the view you see out of
my office window. So I am real fortunate to have that kind of a
view and it also just continues to inspire me. I oftentimes say the
time to retire is when you see the dome and you are not inspired or
when you can't take the steps two at a time. But I am still
inspired by what I see out my window.
On the wall to the right, and Eric Cantor mentioned this, is a framed
bill called ``The America Invents Act.'' That was a bill to reform
the patent system, which hadn't been reformed in over 60 years. It
took 6 long years to get that bill enacted. That is how long we
worked on it. And I want to thank John Conyers for helping me
across the finish line. That was a bipartisan effort; bipartisan in
the House and also bipartisan in the Senate as well.
It is considered I think the major tech legislation that we passed in
the last Congress and so well worth the effort.
Below that are the scales of justice. Obviously, a symbol of the
Judiciary Committee.
Underneath my right hand is a biography of James Madison, who is
considered the father of the Constitution. And I consider those of
us on the Judiciary Committee to be the guardians of the
Constitution. And you can't see it, but on my office wall to the
right, I have an autograph of James Madison. And that is a regular
reminder of what our responsibilities are on the Judiciary
Committee. And again, that is to defend the Constitution.
The other point to make is that I would not be here today with you all
if it weren't for my constituents back home in the 21st
Congressional District. It is a privilege to serve them, and
wherever my constituents are, I do want to thank them for making it
possible for me not only to serve in Congress but also to have been
the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and now the Chairman of the
Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
If you look a little more closely at the plaque at the bottom of the
portrait, besides my name, you are going to see the names of my
chiefs of staff who were chiefs of staff both when I was Ranking
and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and in my personal office.
And I want to read off their names because I couldn't have done it
without them, and they have helped me so much.
So would the chiefs raise their hand when I call out their name?
Joseph Gibson, Sean McLaughlin, Richard Hertling, and Jennifer Brown.
I also want to mention John Lampmann, who is here. He was chief of
staff in the personal office for 18 years. Got to be some kind of a
record.
And also, I want to thank Ashley Smith.
Ashley Smith oversaw the painting of the portrait and organized this
event today. So special appreciation to her as well.
Okay. Well, let me finish up.
And I want to acknowledge that I actually resisted having my portrait
painted, which is why it has been almost 2 years since I served as
Judiciary Committee Chairman. But I was persuaded that this
portrait is more than just about me. And that is why I agreed to
get it done.
I hope that when my family sees the portrait, they will realize they
helped me become Chairman through their love and support.
I hope that when my Republican colleagues see it, they will remember
that their vote ratified my appointment as Chairman. And,
thankfully, my Democratic colleagues didn't object too much.
I hope that when my friends see the portrait, they will feel they had a
part in my achieving that position.
I hope that when my chief of staffs and other staff members view the
portrait, they will take credit for helping me process legislation.
And I hope that those who might gaze upon the portrait, now and in the
future, will recognize that a chairmanship and a Congressional
Committee represent a democratic institution that forms a
government of, by, and for the people.
America is exceptional, from its founding to its protection of rights
and freedoms to its being a ``city that is set on a hill'' and a
``light'' for those around the world.
We can be grateful we live in such a country. And I am grateful that
you all are here today. Near family, extended family and friends,
you honor me by your presence, thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you. You are making it worthwhile now for me to have endured
sitting for the portrait. But I do really appreciate everybody
being here today. And it is just nice to see so many colleagues.
That is why we are here. We enjoy each other's company. We feel
like we are doing some good on both sides of the aisle.
Let's just wait for the Speaker. I think he will be here momentarily.
Mr. Goodlatte. Ladies and gentlemen, the Speaker of the House.
[Applause.]
ACCEPTANCE OF THE PORTRAIT
The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker of the House
Speaker Boehner. Well, let me just say I am honored to be here with all
of you. It is nice to be at someone else's hanging for a change.
Lamar, this is one of those days that you will always remember, much
like your first day here. You know, as you recall, one of the first
things we do when we become a Member is take the oath of office.
And we really do swear to do only one thing, and there is no
mention of parties or titles. We only swear to uphold the
Constitution. That is it.
And I mention this for a reason. In the portrait, you will see that the
same hand Lamar used to take that oath is resting on a book about
James Madison, the father of our Constitution. And anyone who has
served with Lamar will tell you that that is really what he is all
about, a man of principle, and principle to the core. So he
remembers where he came from, and we remember where we came from as
a country.
Exactly what you need in a Judiciary Committee Chairman.
So I am pleased to see patent reform represented in this painting as
well. It was one of the first major bipartisan accomplishments of
our majority. A bill like that just doesn't happen, doesn't just
come with a gavel. It takes years of work and commitment and trust
to put all the pieces together to move a major piece of
legislation.
Having done it, I know how hard it is to do. So that is how you create
something lasting, much like this portrait, which I am honored to
accept into the House collection.
I think it is proud day for Lamar, proud day for the Texans who are
here. I am looking around and seeing a bunch of Texans. I spent 5
days in Texas about a month ago. For a boy from the Midwest, that
is a hell of a long time to be in Texas. [Laughter.]
But it is a proud day for the Judiciary Committee and a really proud
day for our friend, Lamar Smith. [Applause.]
Mr. Smith. I very much appreciate the Speaker stopping by, and those
were wonderful words to hear from him. Obviously, I would not be
Chairman of this Committee were it not for the Speaker's support.
So I want to thank him publicly for that as well.
It is always my feeling that the Speaker, John Boehner, has the second
toughest job in Washington. It actually may be the toughest job.
Now, when you think about it, he has to get 218 votes to pass any
legislation.
Speaker Boehner. It is 218 frogs in the wheelbarrow at the same time.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Smith. Two hundred and eighteen frogs in the wheelbarrow. But also
at the same time he has 435 Members second-guessing what he does.
So it is even tougher than that.
My Democratic colleagues here may or may not agree with the statement
that the House is sort of a firewall that prevents bad legislation
from occurring. I think that is largely an accepted view. But if
that is the case, if we are the firewall that keeps bad legislation
from being enacted, then Speaker Boehner is the chief fire marshal
of the Nation and has done an excellent job doing just that.
We just came from a meeting of all Republicans a few minutes ago over
in the Capitol. And I think our Speaker has united us in a very,
very positive way. And we are looking to the future and looking to
do what is right for America. And when I say ``we,'' I include
Republicans and Democrats alike.
So, John, thank you very much for accepting this portrait. Bob hasn't
told me where it is going yet, but I hope it is somewhere in this
room. [Laughter.]
And then I am happy if anyone wants to take photographs, we can do that
as well.
But thank you, Mr. Speaker, for being here. [Applause.]
Speaker Boehner. Thank you.
Mr. Goodlatte. Before we conclude, I am going to answer that question.
Lamar, your portrait is going right up there. We haven't decided
Jim Sensenbrenner's fate yet, however. He will be around here
somewhere, too. And I am very proud to Chair a Committee that has
three former Members who have been Chairmen.
So thank you all for coming. And I know Lamar would be happy to have a
picture with you right here.
Mr. Smith. Thank you. [Applause.]
Guests
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COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
112th Congress
LAMAR SMITH, Texas, Chairman
F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, Jr., JOHN CONYERS, Jr., Michigan
Wisconsin HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina JERROLD NADLER, New York
ELTON GALLEGLY, California ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT,
BOB GOODLATTE, Virginia Virginia
DANIEL E. LUNGREN, California MELVIN L. WATT, North Carolina
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio ZOE LOFGREN, California
DARRELL E. ISSA, California SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas
MIKE PENCE, Indiana MAXINE WATERS, California
J. RANDY FORBES, Virginia STEVE COHEN, Tennessee
STEVE KING, Iowa HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, Jr.,
TRENT FRANKS, Arizona Georgia
LOUIE GOHMERT, Texas PEDRO R. PIERLUISI, Puerto Rico
JIM JORDAN, Ohio MIKE QUIGLEY, Illinois
TED POE, Texas JUDY CHU, California
JASON CHAFFETZ, Utah TED DEUTCH, Florida
TIM GRIFFIN, Arkansas LINDA T. SANCHEZ, California
TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania JARED POLIS, Colorado
TREY GOWDY, South Carolina
DENNIS ROSS, Florida
SANDY ADAMS, Florida
BEN QUAYLE, Arizona
MARK AMODEI, Nevada
Professional Staff
Richard Hertling, Staff Director and Chief Counsel
[all]