[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2239-E2240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      A SPECIAL TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE MEMORY OF EDWARD A. SMITH

                                 ______


                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 1995

  Ms. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor 
the memory of one of Kansas City's outstanding business and civic 
leaders, Edward A. Smith. Mr. Smith died tragically November 20, the 
victim of a hit and run accident.
  Ed Smith leaves a legacy of outstanding achievements and selfless 
contributions to the community he called home, Kansas City, MO. He 
worked tirelessly within both the business and civic communities, 
quietly direct many high level philanthropic efforts and helping to 
shape important businesses and foundations. Ed Smith gave a lifetime 
commitment to making Kansas City a better community for all of us.
  In his eulogy to the more than one-thousand mourners who gathered to 
say farewell last week, Rabbi Alan Cohen said of Ed Smith, ``He was a 
mentor to a great many people. He was a visionary. He truly left his 
mark.'' I join with his many friends and family members in describing 
Ed Smith as an ``uncommon person.'' Rabbi Cohen added that although Mr. 
Smith loved the law, his fiercest loyalty was to his family. ``His 
loyalty extended to everything he did'' according to Rabbi Cohen. ``He 
was always ready to give back to people and places that had been a part 
of him.''
  Henry Bloch of H & R Bloch has said that Ed Smith is largely 
responsible for the success of H & R Bloch, where Smith was a long time 
director. According to Henry Bloch, ``Whenever we had a problem, we 
said, `let's call Ed.' He was a man of superior intellect, but not 
ego.''
  Close friends have described Ed Smith as someone who worked 
tirelessly and was passionate about philanthropy. Many have noted that 
he was one of Kansas City's most effective behind-the-scenes leaders, 
never seeking recognition for his work, but focusing instead on getting 
things accomplished.
  In the late 1970's Mr. Smith attended a dinner party with several 
other civic leaders. They agreed to form a community foundation, 
passing the hat and amassing just over two-hundred-dollars that night. 
That group has since become the Greater Kansas City Community 
Foundation and Affiliated Trusts which now manages assets of $270-
million in 450 charitable funds. It also owns the Kansas City Royals 
baseball team.
  Among the many awards Edward Smith received: the University of 
Missouri, Kansas City, Chancellors Medallion in 1991; the Charles Evans 
Whittaker Award in 1992 given by the Lawyers Association of Kansas 
City; the National Conference of Christians and Jews Citation award in 
1993; Ingram's Magazine named Edward Smith one of their ``Local 
Heroes'' and ``Hall of Famers'' in 1994-1995.
  Ed Smith was very active in the Jewish community. He was a member of 
the Beth Shalom congregation and a past director of the Jewish 
community Center. He also held a directorship with the Beth Shalom 
Foundation. In 1986, Mr. Smith received the Civic Service award from 
the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
  Edward Smith was born January 20, 1918 in Worcester, MA. He attended 
Clark University in Worcester where he graduated with honors in 
Economics in 1939. He went on to Harvard Law School where he graduated 
in 1942. A founder of one of Kansas City's most prominent law firms, 
Smith, Gill, Fisher and Butts, Ed Smith was instrumental in building 
its success and in facilitating its recent merger with the Bryan Cave 
law firm.
  Edward Smith leaves his wife, Beth K. Smith, with whom he has 
celebrated 50 years of marriage, and four children: Sarah S. Malino, 
Judith E. Smith, Deborah M. Smith and James D. Smith. He also leaves 
eight grandchildren. Beth Smith shared her husband's commitment to 
civic, cultural, and social causes, and her leadership is revered in 
the community.
  Today Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join with me and with the 
people of Kansas City, who keenly feel the loss of Edward Smith. Our 
thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sorrowful time. Edward 
Smith was an outstanding individual who took a special interest in 
helping young people develop their abilities and leadership skills. The 


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void he leaves in our community will long be felt by all who had the 
privilege of knowing and working with him. The legacy of leadership he 
leaves will live on in future generations whose lives he has touched in 
the most remarkable way.

                          ____________________