[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 138 (Wednesday, October 26, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H9247-H9248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING SAM SMITH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GINGREY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recall the life of Sam C. 
Smith, former mayor of Cartersville, Georgia, president of Century 
Bank, and a lifelong community activist who leaves behind an 
everlasting legacy of service to his hometown. Sam is survived by his 
wife, Connie Hill Smith, and his three children, Ginny, Taylor, and 
Drew.
  Sam's untimely death this past weekend is deeply felt by the entire 
Cartersville community, and I would like to share some of his 
accomplishments here today.
  Sam lived life with a passion for everything he did, and he worked 
tirelessly for the betterment of his community. Never a man with small 
dreams or goals, Sam served as mayor of Cartersville from 1998 to 2002, 
and his tenure exemplified the kind of work that can be achieved when a 
city's leader is committed, involved, and enthusiastic about making his 
city a better place to live.

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  However, Sam's involvement in his community far outdates his rise to 
mayor. Sam Smith was a true fixture in Cartersville, and his shoes will 
be hard ones to fill. This is a man who earlier today was laid to rest 
less than a mile from the place where he was born 58 years ago.
  After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in 
finance, Sam quickly became a shining star for the Bartow County 
community. In 1972, he was named Cartersville's Outstanding Young Man 
of the Year, and in 1979, he was named one of five Outstanding Young 
Men in the State of Georgia by the Georgia Jaycees. These early 
accolades were followed by years of service to the community that 
honored him.
  At the age of 26, Sam became president of Bartow County Bank, making 
him the youngest bank president in the State of Georgia. His 
distinguished tenure lasted for 20 years. More recently, he cofounded 
and served as president of Century Bank, the position he held at the 
time of his death.
  Sam Smith exemplified that ``personal banker'' we value in a bank. So 
many people remember Sam as a banker who gave them their first loan, 
their first job, or that first vote of confidence in their new home or 
business.
  Sam was also intimately involved in community organizations. He 
served as president of the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce in 
the early 1980s and as chairman of the Georgia Bar Association 
Committee on Fee Arbitration in the 1990s. At the time of his death, 
Sam was chairman of the Independent Bankers Association's Bank Services 
Committee.
  Sam Smith's community involvement went well beyond the financial 
sector. He helped bring a new Georgia Highlands College campus to 
Cartersville, and was an active member of Sam Jones United Methodist 
Church, and was an avid supporter of Cartersville's high school 
athletics. Just 12 days ago I was honored to be his guest at the 
Cartersville-Carrollton football game. Sam knew every Purple Hurricane 
by first name.
  Last night I attended Sam's wake, and I was reminded of the impact a 
leader can have on the community he serves. Everyone shared words of 
praise, joyful memories, and personal stories I know will be told for 
many years to come.
  It is fitting that the current mayor of Cartersville, a job Sam held 
with such honor, eloquently captured the spirit of Sam Smith this week. 
Cartersville mayor Mike Fields commented, ``I can't think of anybody 
else who cared more about this city than Sam Smith. Very few people put 
as much heart and soul into the city than Sam. His accomplishments 
speak for themselves, but it will take an awful lot of effort from a 
lot of folks to replace what he did.''
  Madam Speaker, the residents of Cartersville, Georgia, were fortunate 
to have Sam leading their community. He made Bartow County a better 
place to live, to do business, even cheer on a local baseball team. It 
was a privilege to know him, and his presence will be deeply missed.
  Madam Speaker, today Bartow County said goodbye to a favorite son. I 
offer my condolences to his family, his friends, and his beloved 
community. I know that while Sam Smith is no longer with us, his legacy 
will continue for many years to come.

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