[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 140 (Thursday, September 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1936-E1937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO REVEREND WILLIAM W. SMITH, III

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2007

  Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life 
of Reverend William W. Smith, III, of Minnesota, a selfless servant who 
was committed to his faith, family and the struggle for civil rights 
and social justice. While I regret to report the recent passing of Rev. 
Smith at the age of 69, I am grateful for his spirit of equality and 
inclusiveness which will continue to live on in the city of Minneapolis 
and beyond.
  Rev. Smith's relationship with Minneapolis began over 50 years ago 
when he was stationed in the city while serving as an airman in the 
United States Air Force. Following his tour of duty, Smith returned to 
Minneapolis, where he took on the important work of mentoring and 
empowering children, youth, families and the elderly as a staffer at 
the Phillis Wheatley Community Center. Smith would later go on to serve 
as a leader at the Twin Cities Opportunities Industrial Center.

[[Page E1937]]

  Rev. Smith was a visionary who knew that Minneapolis could become a 
place of equal opportunity for all people regardless of racial or 
ethnic differences. During the turbulent 1960s, Smith worked vigorously 
to advance the cause of the civil rights movement in Minneapolis. He 
served as a local facilitator working with community leaders to set 
into action the teachings of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Smith's efforts ultimately contributed to the creation of human rights 
commissions in Minneapolis and throughout the state of Minnesota. Smith 
also helped guide local social action groups such as the Minneapolis 
Urban League and the Black Unity and Futurism Youth Organization of 
Minneapolis.
  Recognizing the important role which unions play in protecting 
workers rights, Smith fought vigorously to gain union membership for 
African American workers. Once that battle was won, Smith accepted the 
challenge of becoming a union organizer, working for the American 
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO in New 
Orleans, Atlanta and Tulsa.
  In closing, Madam Speaker, I wish to express my condolences to those 
surviving Rev. Smith: his daughter, his sons, former wife, and the 
community he worked for, the community he loved. It is an honor to 
stand in recognition of the memory and life of a man who gave so much 
of himself to Minneapolis yet demanded so little in return. Reverend 
Smith, today we thank you.

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