[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 92 (Friday, June 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO CATHERINE McDERMOTT SMITH OF SHARON, CT

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                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2003

  Mrs. JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life 
and memory of Catherine McDermott Smith, of Sharon, Connecticut. 
Catherine was a dedicated citizen and leader in the Sharon community. 
Her untimely death is an enormous loss to her family and to our entire 
community.
  Catherine Smith and her five-year-old youngest son John Forrester 
Smith died from injuries sustained in an automobile crash late last 
summer. They were en route to their home in Connecticut after dropping 
off her oldest son for freshman orientation at the University of 
Virginia. Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband Frank Smith, daughters 
Mary and Katherine and son Tony all of Sharon, Connecticut; her parents 
Mary and Anthony McDermott of Glen Cove, New York; six brothers, many 
nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by a multitude of 
friends and associates garnered through the years from her ``people 
oriented love,'' politics.
  A native of Oyster Bay, New York, Cathy graduated from Hofstra 
University and New York University. She became involved in politics as 
a child and eventually ran many campaigns and fundraising events. This 
prompted a move to the Washington area where she started an extremely 
effective direct mail solicitation company. Her appointments to various 
state boards and commissions have been numerous. She worked as speech 
writer, communications director, and chief of staff to numerous 
national office holders. Having long enjoyed Connecticut's lovely 
northwest corner as a family vacation spot, she and her family moved 
there just over 2 years ago. Already she was an active member of the 
community.
  Catherine Smith was an outgoing, articulate, competitive person that 
demanded much more of herself than of others. She was most capable of 
analyzing a problem, finding the solution, and then doggedly pursuing 
the correction until conquered. While firm, she was compassionate and 
obliging; along with her trade mark of a smile, twinkle and a laugh, 
she was able to unselfishly motivate the people she loved and 
befriended.
  Mr. Speaker it is with sadness that we remember the life and memory 
of Catherine and her son, Jack. As family and friends mourn their 
passing, I would like to recognize the wonderful life Cathy lived. She 
will be missed.




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