[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            IN HONOR OF THE MEMORY OF MYRAH A. KEATING SMITH

                                 ______


                            HON. RON de LUGO

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 18, 1994

  Mr. de LUGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Myrah A. 
Keating Smith, nurse, midwife, mother and matriarch, who served the 
island of St. John with love and dedication for more than four decades.
  Myrah Keating Smith was godmother for 500 babies she helped deliver 
on the island of St. John over the course of her 45-year career, and 
she became known as the Angel of Mercy for her selflessness and 
devotion to the people of the community she served.
  Myrah Keating Smith was one of the first Virgin Islanders to earn a 
degree in nursing and then return home to practice her skills for the 
benefit of the residents of her islands.
  After graduation, she lived and worked on her native St. Thomas and 
then spent the rest of her career on the island of St. John where she 
was in charge of the Cruz Bay Clinic.
  As isolated as St. John was years ago when transportation between the 
islands was a challenge and communications were difficult at best, 
Myrah Keating Smith was the health expert that residents relied upon 
for their care. For routine exams or emergencies, she was the person 
that two generations of St. Johnians trusted with their health and 
their lives.
  In 1963, the St. John Business and Professional Women's Club honored 
her as Woman of the Year. In 1977, she was cited by the 12th 
legislature for her years of hard work and duty to the people of St. 
John as a registered nurse.
  Also in her honor, the Department of Health established the Myrah 
Keating Smith Health Scholarship so deserving students on St. John 
could pursue their medical educations.
  In 1983, the newly built St. John clinic was named in her honor.
  Myrah Keating Smith retired in 1976 and, 2 weeks ago, passed away at 
the age of 86.
  She left behind a grateful community that for two generations was 
faithfully served by her craft and genuinely touched by her kindness.

                          ____________________