[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 109 (Wednesday, July 20, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S4717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      REMEMBERING JAMES NOEL SMITH

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I wish to take a moment to pay 
tribute to the life of a fine Montanan and good friend, James Noel 
Smith. Jim passed away last month after a long and courageous battle 
with cancer.
  Raised in the mountainous northwest Montana town of Thompson Falls, 
Jim grew up with a deep reverence for the land, the water, and the wise 
stewardship of our natural resources. This became his calling in life.
  After graduating from the University of Montana, Jim heard the noble 
call of public service. He was inspired by national leaders like 
President Kennedy and Montana's Senators Mike Mansfield and Lee 
Metcalf. Senator Metcalf, in particular, became Jim's mentor. Jim, his 
wife Camie, along with their young son Mark--who later served on my 
staff for a number of years--made their way back to Washington where 
Jim worked as a legislative aide for Senator Metcalf. In their early 
days in Washington, Jim and Camie had a daughter Terry. As a young 
adult, Terry found her way back to Montana, where she lives in Bozeman 
today.
  Jim went on to serve with distinction at the Interior Department, the 
Environmental Protection Agency, and several conservation 
organizations. During the latter part of his career, Jim organized the 
Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities, a trade association 
dedicated to helping municipalities pay for infrastructure 
improvements.
  While they remained in Washington for four decades, Jim and Camie 
were never Washingtonians. They were Montanans. Thus, when they decided 
to retire, it came as no surprise to those of us who knew them that 
they headed home to the ``Big Sky.''
  They settled in Bozeman, sharing their love of Montana, its land, and 
its people. Jim immersed himself with his work on the board of 
directors of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, GVLT, an organization that 
protects open land and promotes recreational opportunities throughout 
the Gallatin. While environmental issues too often turn fractious, Jim 
respected GVLT's consensus-based approach. He thought it got results 
and made a difference.
  That is the way Jim lived his life--striving for consensus, getting 
results, and making a difference. Mel and I offer condolences to Camie, 
Mark, Terry, and their family.

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