[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E676-E677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO REVEREND SONIA PATRICIA SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Reverend 
Sonia Patricia Smith. Reverend Smith is a woman who has always placed 
her faith and confidence in the Lord.
  For the last 15 years, Reverend Smith has been employed with the 
Visiting Nurse Service of New York where she has spent most of her time 
working tirelessly on behalf of her patients. Whether it is working 
with the elderly or providing nursing support to those infected with 
HIV, she is committed to ensuring that her patients receive the highest 
level of care and respect. She believes that as a medical professional 
it is not only her job only to heal her patients physically, but also 
emotionally and spiritually. Because of her dedication to her patients, 
she was promoted to the management level at VNS.
  In many ways, Reverend Smith sees the fruits of her labor through her 
family, whether it is her childhood sweetheart whom she married, 
Anthony, or her three children. Her eldest son Dr. Oronde Smith is a 
physician and loving husband to his wife Paula and wonderful father to 
his daughter Oniya. Reverend Smith's middle son Jonathan earned both 
his bachelors and masters degrees from Harvard University and is 
currently a third-year law student at New York University. Reverend 
Smith's youngest son Matthew is a talented musician and a third-year 
medical student at Downstate Medical School.
  Reverend Smith's work with her daughter-in-law Paula demonstrates the 
compassion she has for others. Several years ago Paula was interested 
in entering the nursing profession but did not believe she was 
qualified and decided to terminate her schooling early. Reverend Smith 
refused to let her quit and tutored Paula helping her through her 
courses. Today Paula is a registered nurse as well as a nurse 
practitioner with an M.S. in nursing. Reverend Smith's example with 
Paula is not the exception, but rather the rule.
  Reverend Smith has assisted countless individuals by providing help 
and often doing everything within her power to ensure that they achieve 
their goals. She has a special place in her heart for women and 
children, and being the first lady of Gethsemane Baptist Church where 
her husband serves as pastor. She has reached out to many members of 
the congregation giving them advice and lending a listening ear. She 
has worked extensively with the children's ministry or her ``angels'' 
as she

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likes to call them, leading the children's church and vacation bible 
school.
  Another example of Reverend Smith's commitment is demonstrated when 
she, along with her husband, organized and led a trip to Disney World 
for nearly 50 children in the church several years ago. Although 
neither the children nor their families had the financial means to 
afford the trip, Reverend Smith raised the funds and the support for 
this excursion.
  Reverend Smith has touched countless lives through the work she does, 
and there is no doubt that she will continue to do so for many years to 
come.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize all of the good works of 
Reverend Sonia Smith and her commitment to the most vulnerable in our 
society, our elderly and our children.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
this wonderful for her kindness and compassion.

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