[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 164 (Monday, December 13, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S8847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING RANDY SMITH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to draw attention to the 
life and legacy of a good friend of mine, who sadly lost his battle 
with cancer. Randy Smith, the longtime executive director of the 
London-Laurel County Chamber of Commerce, died on November 19, 2010, at 
the age of 52 years old. For almost 17 years, Randy led the chamber and 
the entire community toward a stronger, fast-growing future. More than 
promoting the local businesses in the area, Randy dedicated his 
professional life to advancing the untapped potential and unique 
splendor of his community. He had the skills, personality, and 
intelligence to accomplish nearly everything he undertook--from 
creating some of the best civic events and festivals in the 
Commonwealth, to building a stronger chamber membership at a time when 
many small businesses are struggling.
  There is no doubt that Randy's good humor will be deeply missed by 
all who knew him. But let there also be no doubt that Randy's record of 
accomplishment and legacy in Laurel County will never fade. The 
tenacity with which he fought his cancer for more than a year displayed 
the same trademark character that I have seen in him during our 
friendship of over a decade. No matter the issue, Randy Smith could be 
counted on to handle the challenge with the utmost integrity.
  It is with a saddened heart that I ask my colleagues to join me in 
remembering the life and accomplishments of one of the Commonwealth's 
true unsung heroes. I would further ask that my colleagues join me in 
expressing our deepest sympathies to his wife Kim and their children 
Logan, Cameron, and Brianna. I would also like to share my sympathies 
with Randy's parents, Earl and Rosie Smith, as well as his brothers and 
sister, Phil and Eddie Smith and Sharon Benge.
  The Sentinel Echo recently published a story remembering the life of 
Randy Smith and I ask unanimous consent that the text of that article 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record as follows:

                 [From the Sentinel Echo, Dec. 3, 2010]

                  Randy Smith Loses Battle With Cancer

                     (By Nita Johnson/Staff Writer)

       Laurel County, Ky.--Long-time London-Laurel County Chamber 
     of Commerce Executive Director Randy Smith lost his battle 
     with cancer Friday morning, leaving a legacy of dedication to 
     his community.
       Ironically, Smith died the day of the 2010 Christmas on 
     Main events--a celebration he was instrumental in starting in 
     1994, the first year he was named the Chamber's executive 
     director.
       According to his brother Phil, Smith died just after noon 
     on Friday. He had been undergoing treatment for cancer at 
     M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in 
     Houston since Nov. 2.
       ``There was a medical team there waiting for him to undergo 
     radiation three days after we got here,'' Phil Smith said. 
     ``The treatments were to be completed Nov. 18 and Randy did 
     OK. He was getting around on a walker, went outside and was 
     doing well.''
       But on Nov. 17, things took a turn for the worse.
       ``Randy had a lung biopsy on Nov. 17 and it was very 
     challenging to him physically,'' Phil added. ``We were going 
     to come home on Nov. 18, with our reservations to fly out at 
     2:20 p.m. Randy was ready to roll but around lunchtime he 
     started having some shortness of breath. By that afternoon he 
     was in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and diagnosed with 
     aspiration pneumonia. He was really struggling. He spent two 
     weeks and a day in ICU but his cancer was advanced and with 
     the pneumonia and becoming septic while in ICU, it was more 
     than his body could handle.''
       Randy Smith's wife, Kim, children, parents, two brothers 
     and their families were with him on Friday. Most of them had 
     been there since Thanksgiving.
       Randy Smith began having health complications in the spring 
     of 2009. In August 2009 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and 
     later on, with bone cancer. But his fighting spirit prevailed 
     throughout his illness--a trait that Phil Smith said enabled 
     his brother to fight the disease as long as he did.
       ``Randy was a battler with his condition. He's always been 
     competitive and up for a challenge,'' Phil said. ``I guess he 
     saw the finish line God offered more rewarding than the 
     finish line here.''
       His competitiveness is what many attribute to Smith's 
     success with the Chamber of Commerce, said Holbert Hodges, 
     who was president of the Chamber when Smith became a board 
     member.
       ``I asked Randy to become a director and that's how he 
     became involved with the Chamber, as a board member/
     director,'' Hodges said. ``He was the heart and soul of the 
     Chamber. He did a lot of things for this community and for 
     people, a lot that he didn't want people to know about. He 
     was dedicated, a hard worker, a good family man. When help 
     was needed, Randy was always the first in line. He had all 
     the traits necessary to represent the Chamber and was the 
     steadying force behind its success.''
       Hodges said hearing of Smith's passing caused many memories 
     to surface.
       ``I'm just sitting here having memories of Randy,'' Hodges 
     said from his office on Friday afternoon. ``We worked 
     together through many good and bad times and he was the 
     steadying force. His energy level amazed me. He's going to be 
     missed.''
       Hodges said Smith was the driving force behind the annual 
     Christmas on Main celebration.
       ``We wanted it to be more than just a parade and we came up 
     with the idea to set up bleachers in front of the courthouse 
     for choruses and choirs and to involve the schools and 
     churches,'' Hodges said. ``We wanted it so kids and 
     grandparents and parents and aunts and uncles could come out. 
     It was very successful.''
       Under Smith's leadership, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored 
     many other events. The annual Red, White and Boom 
     Independence Day celebration was instituted under Smith's 
     helm at the Chamber. The annual Chamber banquet, which 
     honored a local teacher from the elementary, middle and high 
     school levels along with local business people, received 
     great acclaim.
       The Chamber also sponsored job fairs, career fairs, and 
     most recently, the ``Women in Business'' awards. Though some 
     of those programs have changed or are now under management by 
     the Chamber's Ambassador Club and the London Downtown 
     organization, Smith was the man who pushed these events to 
     success.
       Willie Sawyers, Sentinel-Echo publisher and Chamber of 
     Commerce board member, knew Smith since elementary school and 
     worked on various committees involved with the Chamber of 
     Commerce.
       ``Randy and I are the same age. We went to school together, 
     played basketball for many years and served on the Chamber 
     together,'' Sawyers said. ``We had a lot of personal 
     conversations about dreams and goals for our community. I 
     will greatly miss those conversations with him.
       ``Many of the good things happening right now in London and 
     Laurel County are directly attributable to Randy's dedication 
     and enthusiasm.''
       This sentiment was seconded by London City Mayor Troy 
     Rudder, who tearfully praised Smith and his contributions to 
     the city and county.
       ``We are extremely sad for the loss of Randy,'' Rudder 
     said. ``He has been very influential in the growth and 
     prosperity of this city. Randy was one who was always willing 
     to work or volunteer. When it came to this community, Randy 
     was always the first one in line.''
       ``My heart goes out to his family and this city is deeply 
     saddened,'' he added.
       Funeral arrangements are incomplete, and will be announced 
     later.

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