[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E682-E683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATIONS ON 55 SUCCESSFUL YEARS

                                 ______


                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 1996

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friends 
Frances and Bartlett Smith, of Milford, who are celebrating their 55th 
year of marriage this year.
  In 1937, they came to Detroit to seek their fortune and found each 
other. Frances, with her sister Ann, came from Milford to work at 
Detroit Bank & Trust. Bartlett B. Smith came from Kalamazoo to attend 
the Detroit College of Law and work at the National Bank of Detroit. 
Bart and Fran met, courted and were married May 17, 1941, at the 
Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in the Indian Village area of 
Detroit.
  Following Bart's graduation from law school, they moved back to the 
family farm in Cooper Township near Kalamazoo where Bart's family had 
been original settlers. Not only did he work the farm, he worked 12-
hour days welding tanks for the war effort as he awaited the results of 
his bar exam. When Bart joined the U.S. Army, 3d Armored Division in 
Fort Knox, KY, Frances and their two young children, John and Sarah, 
moved back to Milford, MI, to be near her family.
  At the end of the war, Bart joined the Oakland County prosecutors 
office and served for 2 years. He opened his own firm in Milford, 
practiced for 46 years and retired in 1993. He was admitted to practice 
before the U.S. Supreme Court having been sponsored by U.S. Senator 
Philip A. Hart and Oakland County Circuit Judge William John Beer. 
Frances joined the practice as secretary in the late 1950's and son 
Christopher joined him as partner following his graduation from law 
school.
  Civil duty has long been a family tradition. Frances has served on 
the Milford Township Library Board for 47 years, the last 30 as 
president of the board. She continues to serve today.
  Bart served as Milford Village president, councilman, member of the 
township board, and justice of the peace. He is a member of various 
civic organizations including the American Legion, Rotary, Chamber of 
Commerce, and Masons. His service began in the 1940's, when as ``Sam 
McCall's son-in-law'' he was grand marshal and led the V-J Day parade 
down Main Street on horseback.
  Oldest son John is a veterinarian practicing in Ypsilanti, MI. 
Daughter Sarah Redmond is a financial advisor for American Express 
Financial Advisers. Son Steve lives in Johnson

[[Page E683]]

City, TN. Youngest son David lives in Howell, MI. Bart and Fran have 
nine grandchildren, Karen, Jeff, Brian, Kristen, Angela, Kevin, 
Courtney, Michael, and Paul; and two great-grandchildren, Justin and 
Cassandra.
  Growing up on stories of the Civil War and early pioneers to standing 
on the edge of the 21st century, they have seen much, shared greatly, 
and anticipate the new century. Congratulations and best wishes.

                          ____________________