[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING THE HILL-SMITH FAMILY REUNION

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                            HON. DAVID SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2006

  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Hill-Smith family reunion and I ask that my colleagues join me in 
honoring this wonderful occasion. This reunion affirms the importance 
of family gatherings, drawing together relatives from Atlanta and as a 
far away as Boston, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut.
  The Smith and Hill families celebrate the union of Thomas Landrum 
Smith and Armentis Hill which joined the two families in 1919. Eight 
children resulted from this matrimony, and from those eight children, 
85 direct descendants and hundreds of other relatives who bear the 
surnames Smith and Hill.
  The Smith and Hill families organized their first reunion in Roanoke, 
VA in July of 1986. Over the next 20 years reunions were held every two 
years in New York, NY, Boston, MA, Jonesville, SC, Atlanta, GA, Pacolet 
SC, and Rocky Mount, NC. This year the Hill and Smith families will 
reunite in Stockbridge, GA for their tenth bi-annual reunion. Hundreds 
of relatives coming from every corner of the United States will reunite 
for a week of activities to reconnect and celebrate the meaning of 
family. Youth filled with zeal and exuberance along with elders 
seasoned by the wisdom of years will unite because of this occasion. 
The Hill-Smith family will welcome Marjorie S. Kirk of New York, NY 
with a special degree of warmth. At 83, Ms. Kirk will be the oldest 
family member attending this year's reunion. The youngest and most 
recent addition to the family is Maleek Thompson, born April 19, 2006. 
While only a few months old, Maleek will join his family traveling from 
Maryland to participate in his first reunion.
  The governor of the state of Georgia, Sonny Purdue, recognized this 
momentous gathering with a welcome letter and the host city of 
Stockbridge, GA issued a proclamation to honor the Hill-Smith reunion. 
I ask that this great legislative body stand with me and add to these 
acknowledgements by honoring the Smith and Hill families. I am proud to 
represent the Hill-Smith family members who call the 13th Congressional 
district of Georgia home.

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