[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE SERVICE OF ROY G. SMITH, ARKANSAS STATE DIRECTOR FOR USDA 
                           RURAL DEVELOPMENT

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                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Arkansas' USDA 
Rural Development Director, Roy G. Smith for his outstanding efforts to 
improve the quality of life for all rural Americans.
  Roy has been a lifelong champion for rural communities; both as a 
farmer and as an advocate, joining the Farmers Home Administration, a 
predecessor to today's USDA Rural Development 40 years ago. Under his 
guidance countless Arkansans have benefitted from millions of dollars 
in projects to make their lives better.
  We are blessed to have had Roy at helm for the past three and a half 
years and I am blessed to have him as a friend. I have enjoyed the 
Rural Development Tours where he showcased just some of the latest 
funded projects. I have been to many check presentations with Roy and I 
will remember his encouragement of getting civic leaders to sign the 
check ``to get enough signatures to make the check float.''
  Roy has done a tremendous job of meeting the needs of rural 
Arkansans. His leadership will be missed but his influence will be felt 
for years to come.

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