[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO REV. WAYNE SMITH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Rev. Wayne B. 
Smith, a man who has served his church, and central Kentucky, for more 
than 40 years. Reverend Smith is retiring as senior minister of 
Southland Christian Church in Lexington, which has the area's largest 
Protestant congregation.
  Reverend Smith was 27 years old when he became Southland's founding 
pastor in 1956. Forty years later he is the only senior minister the 
church has had and is now one of the most well-known ministers in 
central Kentucky. Southland Christian has flourished under Reverend 
Smith, who has a congregation of more than 3,800 plus 50,000 on TV and 
radio. Known for his sense of humor, Reverend Smith is often referred 
to as ``the Bob Hope of the ministry.''
  Reverend Smith has been named 1 of the 13 most influential people in 
Lexington. He served two terms as president of the Lexington 
Ministerial Association and is a past president of the North American 
Christian Convention. He is also the charter president of the Lexington 
Bluegrass Breakfast Lions Club.
  Many of Reverend Smith's friends and colleagues have praised him for 
his humility and his many acts of kindness. Upon his announcement of 
retirement to the congregation, one Southland member said, ``It won't 
be the same. He is one of those people who you don't replace. There 
were several people, including me, who had tears in their eyes.''
  At a farewell ceremony for Reverend Smith, which attracted a crowd of 
approximately 7,000, his friends gave testimonial after testimonial 
praising him for being a great servant of the Lord. In his resignation 
letter, Smith addressed his congregation saying, ``You have been a 
wonderful flock; but also * * * my friends. We have never, for even a 
moment, felt unloved.''
  Reverend Smith and his wife Marjorie have two daughters and five 
grandchildren. Although he is retiring, Reverend Smith won't be able to 
rest for long as his future plans include speaking engagements and 
revival meetings across the country.
  Mr. President, I would like to pay special tribute to Rev. Wayne B. 
Smith for his dedicated service to his church, his family, and his 
community.

                          ____________________