[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2189-E2190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE SERVICE AND DEDICATION OF BILLY G. SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 17, 2010

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Billy G. Smith for his contributions to the Sixth Congressional 
District of Tennessee. As any member of Congress knows, our legislative 
achievements and successful constituent services programs would not be 
possible without a cadre of great staff working behind the scenes. 
Throughout my time in Congress, I have been fortunate to have many 
bright, able staff members with an interest in serving their country by 
working in this body. Today, I'd like to single out someone who has 
accomplished an amazing feat that deserves recognition, applause, and 
perhaps, a test of his sanity; incredibly, Billy G. has been a part of 
my staff for all of my 26 years in Congress.
  Billy and I have worked together since my first campaign for Congress 
in 1984. In the Upper Cumberland, Billy emerged as a man who could get 
things done. After the election, he became my field representative for 
the area, and he has served my constituents there ever since. My 
younger staff members fondly say that Billy is old school, and, Madam 
Speaker, that's just fine by me. Billy is an old soul of the Upper 
Cumberland -- a man who knows his neighbors, memorizes the best fishing 
holes, and earns his community's trust.
  To say Billy has deep roots in the Upper Cumberland would be an 
understatement. As a boy, Billy helped his father work the farm with 
mules instead of a tractor. He served as Putnam County Sherriff in the 
1970s and has worked as a police officer, a factory foreman, managed 
food and beverages for a hotel, opened a restaurant called Billy G's, 
and rented out a building complex. He knows everyone there is to know 
and is an institution unto himself.
  In his 26 years as my field representative, Billy has helped 
thousands of constituents who have come to my office on the courthouse 
square in Cookeville. He has warmly received individuals, families and 
business owners looking for assistance with a federal agency. He has 
ensured countless people received the Social Security and veterans 
benefits they deserve. He has heard the concerns and touched the lives 
of many families in need of help, and he has always kept me informed of 
the needs of my constituents in Clay, Jackson, Putnam, Overton and 
Smith counties. Just this year, he found himself trying to help 
constituents who had lost property in the wake of damaging floods. He 
could easily sympathize; his own childhood home also was severely 
damaged in the storm, but Billy was still in the office ready to help 
anyone he could.
  In all his time working for me and the residents of the Upper 
Cumberland, Billy has never taken a full vacation, so it may come as no 
shock to many that Billy has made plans to go into business for himself 
once again. Most folks who had such accomplished careers would already 
be well into retirement, but Billy

[[Page E2190]]

will be continuing on with his work as a small business owner.
  A constituent once knitted a sign that hung above Billy's desk that 
read, ``I am just a nobody, trying to help somebody.'' Billy was fond 
of telling this to folks who came to my office for assistance. It 
reassured them that he was there to help, and it let them know their 
concerns were important to him, and to me. Madam Speaker, it is that 
generosity and humility that have made him a friend to so many and such 
a valuable colleague to me. Billy has been a dedicated public servant, 
a trusted friend and an unstoppable force of nature.
  Billy, thank you for all of your help over the years. I wish you all 
the best in the future.

                          ____________________