[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 69 (Monday, May 23, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE MARGARET SMITH, RETIRED SENATOR OF THE GENERAL 
                   ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2005

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life 
of the Honorable Margaret Smith who made her heavenly transition on 
Monday, May 16, 2005. Senator Smith served with distinction in the 
Illinois General Assembly for 22 years until her retirement in 
December, 2002.
  Prior to her 20-year tenure in the Illinois State Senate, Senator 
Smith served one term as a member of the Illinois House of 
Representatives. Senator Smith served as the chairwoman of the 
influential Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, where she had 
the distinction of being the first female State Senator in the United 
States to serve as the chairperson of the same committee chaired 
previously by her spouse, the late Senator Fred J. Smith.
  Senator Smith has been recognized for her sponsorship and support of 
legislation on health care and women's issues, including requiring 
Illinois to cover the cost of mammograms for poor women, requiring 
insurance companies to cover mammograms, protecting senior citizens in 
nursing homes and assisted living facilities, improving the child 
immunization system in Illinois; and accordingly received the coveted 
``Legislator of the Year Award'' from every major public health 
organization in Illinois, including the Illinois Nurses' Association, 
the Illinois Health Care Association, and the Illinois Hospital and 
Health Systems Association.
  A recognized national leader, Senator Smith served as a member of the 
National Conference of Black State Legislators, the Midwestern 
Legislative Conference, and the National Conference of State 
Legislators, NCSL, serving as the chairperson of the NCSL's Health and 
Human Services Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage all those whose lives were touched 
by this gentle stateswoman, the Honorable Margaret Smith, to always 
remember to look to the hills from which comes all of their help. 
Senator Smith was an anchor within the Illinois governmental and 
political landscape. I am truly blessed to have known, worked with and 
supported her. I am honored to pay tribute to this outstanding public 
servant and am privileged to enter these words into the Congressional 
Record of the United States House of Representatives.

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