[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 34 (Friday, February 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING EDDWIN ALEXANDER SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 28, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, this is Black History Month 
and I rise to honor Mr. Eddwin Alexander Smith who was born on May 27, 
1974 to Dr.'s Jimmy Lee and Jo Ann Smith. He has one sister, Ms. 
Geraline Smith.
  Mr. Eddwin Smith graduated from Port Gibson High in 1992. He 
matriculated through Alcorn State University receiving a B.S. degree in 
Elementary Education in 1996 and a Masters in Administration and 
Supervision in 1998.
  All through Eddwin's family life, he has been heavily engaged in 
civil rights and politics in his community. He learned early on of the 
importance of people and community. As he grew and matured, this 
allowed him to witness his family for over two generations, come to 
understand why it takes a village to make change with effective 
leadership.
  Eddwin has been in Education for 16 years in various capacities as: 
Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. He has been employed in 
the: Claiborne County Public Schools, Memphis City Public Schools, 
Jackson Public Schools, Noxubee Public Schools and Wilkerson County 
Public Schools. He has demonstrated a real passion for students which 
he believes, ``A well equipped Male/Female will make any community a 
better place.'' When he visits the different communities, where he once 
was employed, he can now begin to see the fruits of his labor. Some of 
the students are beginning to graduate from college and start their 
careers.
  After a number of years serving in education, there came a greater 
calling, in terms of him wanting to become more engaged in his 
community, therefore, he ran for Supervisor. Eddwin ran for this office 
in 2011, won the election and began working in this office in January, 
2012. During his first year in office, he focused on the needs of the 
people. In his second year, he was elected President of the Board of 
Supervisors by his peers. His continued goals are to improve community 
and economic development through effective leadership and his success 
has been seen in the Community of Claiborne County.
  Eddwin is a devoted father of one daughter, Embree Gwendolyn Smith, 
who is following in the leadership of her father. He is also a 
dedicated member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Gibson, 
Mississippi. He states that, ``He accepts that God wants him to be a 
change agent for the betterment of all its citizens in Claiborne 
County, Port Gibson, Mississippi.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Eddwin 
Alexander Smith, a sincere and dedicated man with a mission for change, 
during this Black History Month.

                          ____________________