[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MAYOR DAVID W. SMITH FOR HIS 25 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE 
                       TO THE CITY OF NEWARK, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2003

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor David W. Smith 
for his years of dedicated service to the city of Newark, California. 
On March 13, 2003, Mayor Smith's colleagues will celebrate his 25 years 
of service at a reception in Newark.
  Mayor Smith was elected to the Newark City Council in 1976, and two 
years later was elected mayor. He is currently serving his 12th 
consecutive term, making him the most senior mayor currently serving in 
California and the 7th most senior mayor in the country.
  Mayor Smith's genuine love for the city of Newark shows in the 
intelligent, common-sense approach he brings to decision making, and 
colleagues point to his terrific sense of humor as one of his great 
attributes. Under Mayor Smith's leadership, Newark has evolved into an 
efficient and responsive government.
  When he first came into office in 1978, Newark generated little tax 
revenue outside of property taxes. Throughout his tenure, Mayor Smith 
has led Newark's resurgence by working to attract top companies and 
building state-of-the-art educational and recreational facilities.
  Under Mayor Smith's leadership, the NewPark Mall Regional Shopping 
Center and the Newark Hilton Hotel opened for business in the 1980s. In 
the last decade, he has worked to accelerate development of the Newark 
Auto Center, which now houses 13 auto dealerships. He was also 
instrumental in attracting a large Sun Microsystems complex to the 
city.
  Recently, Mayor Smith provided leadership in planning a new community 
college and in developing and constructing the George M. Silliman 
Complex, a world-class recreation center that will include a large 
indoor aquatic park.
  While leading Newark's growth, Mayor Smith has also maintained his 
position as Vice-President of the Oatey Company's Retail Division. He 
serves on the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Alameda County Conference 
of Mayors, and the Alameda County Transportation Authority, and on many 
local and national committees and boards. His many awards and honors 
include a Lifetime Membership in the U.S. Jaycees, and a listing in 
Who's Who in the West.
  I am honored to join the colleagues of Newark Mayor David W. Smith in 
commending his exemplary leadership, which has enabled Newark to grow 
into a wonderful place to live and a successful commercial leader.

                          ____________________