[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E426-E427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO DR. ALBERT E. SMITH: AN EDUCATOR WITH TRUE VISION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues the retirement of Dr. Albert Emanuel Smith, President of 
Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida, a remarkable 
educator, administrator and leader who has left an indelible mark on 
our entire South Florida community.
  According to Dr. Smith, ``The primary mission of any worthy 
institution of higher education is to produce graduates who understand 
that education is a lifelong endeavor.'' Throughout his career, Dr. 
Smith truly lived that creed. He dedicated his life's work to opening 
the doors of educational enlightenment and opportunity to thousands.
  A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota Dr. Smith earned a Bachelors of 
Science degree from North Carolina A&T State University, a Masters of 
Science degree from George Williams College and his Ph.D., from the 
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh in 1971.
  Dr. Smith's early professional career included a brief stint as a 
minor league baseball player for the Saint Louis Cardinals; two years 
in the United States Army Medical Service Corps where he was a 
commissioned officer and company commander; and five years as the 
director of athletics at North Carolina A&T State University.
  In 1971, Dr. Smith was appointed executive assistant director of 
athletics at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1974, he was named 
director of athletics and associate professor of education at Eastern 
Michigan University. Dr. Smith served as Vice Chancellor for 
Development and University Relations, professor of education, and 
Executive Director of the North Carolina A&T University Foundation in 
1976. He served in this capacity until he became the sixth president of 
South Carolina State University in 1976.
  In 1993, Dr. Smith moved on to become the 10th President of Florida 
Memorial University (then Florida Memorial College). Under his

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leadership, FMU has truly experienced a renaissance and metamorphosis. 
Dr. Smith implemented a major capital improvement program, including 
the dedication of the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts, and he 
achieved an important educational milestone in expanding its offering 
of academic programs and guiding the college to University status.
  I know that everyone in our community thanks Dr. Smith for a job well 
done. We wish him and his wife, Sadie, our very best for continued 
success and much happiness in the future.

                          ____________________