[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 21, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NEAL SMITH FEDERAL BUILDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 13, 2007

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, as a proud cosponsor of H.R. 1045, a bill to 
designate the federal building located at 210 Walnut street in downtown 
Des Moines, Iowa as the ``Neal Smith Federal Building,'' I strongly 
support its passage.
  As a distinguished public servant to an Americans--a World War II 
bomber pilot and the State of Iowa's longest serving Member of the U.S. 
House of Representatives--Neal Smith deserves to be recognized by this 
body, where he served the people of Iowa with honor for 36 years.
  To this day, Neal Smith is held in high regard by Iowans. His 
accomplishments as a member of the House Appropriations Committee 
helped strengthen Iowa's economy and improve the lives of its citizens. 
In addition to his committee work, Neal Smith championed many issues 
important to Iowa agriculture and the environment. Neal Smith is 
credited with creating the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and a 
federal national wildlife refuge in Prairie City, Iowa that now bares 
his name.
  But what is most impressive to me and most important to Iowa and this 
country is the dedication and sacrifice Neal Smith made during World 
War II. As a courageous United States Army Air Force bomber pilot Neal 
Smith, encountered enemy fire and his plane was shot down. His valor 
and perseverance earned him the Purple Heart, nine Battle Stars and the 
Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters.
  Neal Smith--Iowa is proud and thankful for your many years of service 
and I proudly support H.R. 1045.




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