[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E73]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MATT SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2002

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank publicly a 
member of my District Office staff for years of exceptional service to 
me and to the residents of the Second Congressional District of Oregon.
  Matt Smith has been steadfastly true to a legacy of selfless public 
service that has long been a tradition in the Smith family. As the son 
of Kaye and Chairman Robert F. (Bob) Smith, who served Oregon so 
effectively as a leader for 36 years in the Oregon House and Senate and 
then in the U.S. Congress, Matt was raised with the knowledge that the 
most meaningful rewards in life come from helping others. Countless 
Oregonians have benefited from Matt's advocacy on their behalf and from 
his role as an integral participant in helping me address issues in the 
district that have directly impacted thousands of hard-working Second 
District residents.
  Whether stepping in to save a rancher's grazing permit or helping to 
hone the finer details of my legislation to save the Steens Mountain 
area from unwarranted national monument status, I have counted on Matt 
to get the job done. He has been a loyal and dedicated public servant 
on such issues as saving the Elk Creek Dam from wasteful demolition and 
protecting lives and resources by keeping the Medford Air Tanker Base 
open.
  Matt has brought to his work a bright mind and a natural ability to 
work well with others. Not only have the people I represent placed 
great faith in his abilities, but so have his coworkers. Matt has been 
a team player in every respect and could always be counted on to solve 
tough problems and help others to reach their potential. Perhaps most 
importantly, Matt is a dependable friend with a great sense of humor.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud of what Matt has accomplished and am proud to 
have had him on my staff. For someone who looks up to his father as 
much as I do, it has been a delight to watch Matt grow and mature into 
a man who must make his father very proud. Matt's stellar career has 
not gone unnoticed by others and many new opportunities have presented 
themselves. This month Matt is going to follow his expanded horizons by 
taking a position with Smith-West, a distinguished government relations 
firm. I have every confidence that in Matt's new job he will continue 
his own strong record of public service.
  Matt Smith will continue to help others and make Oregon a better 
place. He will continue to be an impact player and make a difference. I 
am sorry to see Matt leave and lose his invaluable assistance, but I am 
so very proud of what he has accomplished and the good work I know he 
will continue to perform.
  I join Matt's coworkers in saying thank you and congratulations for a 
job well done. We will miss you as a colleague, Matt, but we know in 
our hearts that you will always be our friend.

                          ____________________