[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 28 (Thursday, March 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING SALLY SMITH FOR EXEMPLARY COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SERVICE AS 
          CHAIR OF THE CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the exemplary 
public service of Sally Smith, a resident of the Chautauqua County town 
of Pomfret, upon the occasion of her retirement as Chair of the 
Chautauqua County Democratic Committee.
  Sally's dedication to public service has been manifest, and her 
commitment to the residents of her town and her county has been 
outstanding.
  Sally served for many years as an employee at Fredonia State College. 
During that time, Sally served as Director of the Region 6 Political 
Action Committee for the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). At 
the same time, Sally served as Chair of her hometown Democratic Party 
committee.
  In January 2003, after her election as First Vice Chair of the 
Chautauqua County Democratic Committee, Sally was elevated to Chair 
after the resignation of the incumbent, being elected to that position 
in full in June of that year. She was re-elected Chair in September 
2004.
  Sally's tenure as Chair has by all objective analysis been a rousing 
success. Sally oversaw the re-election of the Chautauqua County 
Legislature's Democratic Majority in 2003, an election which also saw 
success for Democrats at every local level, from village trustees to 
county legislators. In 2004, Sally was part of a coalition of party 
leaders that helped elect a Democrat to Congress from Chautauqua County 
for the first time since 1984, which was the last election for Congress 
won by former Representative Stan Lundine of Jamestown.
  Sally has never forgotten her roots as the leader of a rural county. 
In April 2004, Sally and the Chautauqua County Democrats hosted the New 
York State Democratic Rural Conference in Jamestown, putting the 
statewide spotlight on Jamestown and Chautauqua County. Later that 
year, when Senator John Edwards of North Carolina visited the world-
renowned Chautauqua Institution to prepare for his the Vice 
Presidential debate, Sally and other Democrats--many of whom had never 
participated locally before--organized a Democratic march and rally at 
Fredonia State College in support of the Democratic ticket.
  On a strictly personal level, it has been nothing short of a delight 
to work with Sally. A consummate professional a someone with a 
steadfast affection and connection to both her community as well as the 
Democratic Party, my time in working with Sally Smith has always been 
characterized by her support for working men and women in Western New 
York, about the dignity and her refusal to allow her community to be 
taken for granted.
  Her work on behalf of her community has been without fanfare, but has 
been tremendously effective.
  Now in her retired years, Sally and her husband Dan want to enjoy 
more personal time with friends and family, prompting her to resign her 
post as Chair, turning over the reins to another great Democrat, 
Chautauqua County Legislature Chairman Keith Ahlstrom. As Sally leaves 
active service as County Chair--but remains as Pomfret Town Chair--we 
must pause to consider the contributions she has made, not just to the 
Democratic Party in general, but to the people of her community, her 
county and to western New York as well. Chautauqua County is a better 
place because of Sally Smith's commitment to public service, and I am 
proud, Mr. Speaker, to have an opportunity to honor her today.




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