[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 152 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO R.C. SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 12, 1998

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my constituent and 
dear friend, Mr. R.C. Smith of Long Creek, Illinois who is retiring 
from the Macon County Board with 18 years of service. This is only a 
fraction of his 30 years of public service and dedication, but he will 
be truly missed on the county board. On this year after 30 years of 
public service. On November 12th, several area state legislators will 
be honoring him with a special presentation at his last County Board 
meeting.
  I have known R.C. since I have been involved in politics. He has been 
a loyal employee to the Wabash, Norfolk and Western and Norfolk-
Southern Railroad for nearly 39 years. He served as Executive Director 
of the Decatur Area Labor Management Committee for 8 years. At the same 
time, R.C. has remained focused on his commitment to the people of 
Illinois through his local political involvement. He was first elected 
as Assistant Long Creek Township Supervisor in 1961, and has served and 
been reelected on the Macon County Board of Supervisors for 10 years.
  Wanting to do even more for Macon County, R.C. decided to run for 
Macon County Board in 1980 and has been reelected ever since by his 
constituents. In fact, his colleagues elected R.C. as Chairman in 1985 
and he has served as Vice Chairman of the Board for the past 10 years. 
In addition, he was elected last year as Long Creek Township Clerk. 
Both his colleagues and his constituents recognize R.C.'s commitment to 
his community, and the strong leadership skills he provides the Board 
and county. This is evident in the fact that they have faithfully 
awarded him these important positions, and R.C. has served with the 
highest level of integrity.
  Moreover, R.C. has devoted a great deal of his time to the Macon 
County community. He has served on the Macon County Mental Health 708 
Board and has been Democratic Precinct Committeeman for 40 years. As a 
devout Christian, R.C. has served in the Adult Men's Sunday School 
teacher program for over 35 years, and is a Deacon for his church.
  It has been a pleasure knowing R.C. Smith as a local community 
leader. He has been a role model of commitment and dedication while 
serving on the county board. It has been an honor to serve in Congress 
as his representative, and I wish him all the best in the future. Mr. 
Speaker, please recognize R.C. Smith for his loyalty to Macon County 
and the excellent leadership he has provided.

                          ____________________