[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E839-E840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JIMMY SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2016

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with Representative Mike 
Thompson in memory of our friend, Jimmy Smith, who passed away on May 
24, 2016, at the age of 67. A third generation Humboldt County native, 
Jimmy was woven into the fabric of California's North Coast as a 
commercial fisherman, avid outdoorsman, dedicated public servant, and 
community leader.
   Born in Eureka on July 11, 1948, to James L. Smith and Jean Withey, 
Jimmy graduated from Eureka High in 1966. In 1972, Jimmy bought a 
salmon and crab fishing boat, which he operated out of Humboldt Bay for 
30 years. He became a respected and expert fisherman known for his 
uncanny ability to locate salmon. Jimmy was also a lifelong hunter with 
a passion for ducks and geese, especially black brant.
   During his time as a commercial fisherman, Jimmy also volunteered 
and worked on numerous fisheries and wildlife surveys throughout the 
area with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, California Department of Fish & 
Game, California Waterfowl Association, and Humboldt Fish Action 
Council. He co-chaired the Task Force for the Humboldt Bay Management 
Plan, served as the fishing industry representative to the Klamath 
River Basin Fisheries Technical Work Group, and was appointed by 
Interior Secretary Babbit to the Trinity Task Force.
   In 1995, Jimmy was elected to the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation 
and Conservation District and served until 2000, where he worked with 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deepen Humboldt Bay to improve 
safety and accommodate deep-draft ships. Jimmy was then elected to the 
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors in 2000, a position he served in 
for 12 years. His achievements, which he always credited to those he 
worked with, are too many to record. Among them were working tirelessly 
to clean up the South Spit of Humboldt Bay--now the Mike Thompson 
Wildlife Area; helping broker agreements meant to tear out the Klamath 
River's fish-blocking dams; and efforts to improve flows on the Eel 
River and protect fisheries on the Klamath, Trinity and Eel rivers. 
During his term as supervisor, Jimmy was a primary visionary and co-
founder of the seven-county North Coast Integrated Regional Water 
Management Plan (now the North Coast Resource Partnership) and the 
Five-Counties Salmonid Conservation Program.
   Jimmy was named National Fisherman Magazine Highliner of the Year in 
1983 and received numerous other recognitions, including the John 
Pelnar Commercial Fisherman Award in 1984 and awards from the U.S. Fish 
& Wildlife Service, California Waterfowl Association, U.S. Coast Guard, 
Eureka Chamber of Commerce, Elks Club, and the Humboldt County League 
of Women Voters. He was a member and the chair of the Commercial Salmon 
Trollers Advisory Committee and California Salmon Stamp Committee.
   Jimmy Smith was a champion of the North Coast and the conservation 
of its natural resources. He had a profound impact on so many people, 
often serving as a valued friend, partner, and mentor. He quietly led 
by example and earned his reputation as a true gentleman known for 
creating partnerships, responsive leadership, treating everyone with 
respect, generosity of spirit, kindness, and integrity. Those who knew 
him best appreciated his witty sense of humor and love for teasing 
those he liked.
   Jimmy is survived by his soul mate and wife of more than 40 years, 
Jacque; his son Gary; his granddaughters Shawni Chrislock and her 
husband Kohl, and McKayla Smith; his sisters Laurie Smith and Marnie 
Carr; and nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind many 
friends who loved him and will miss him dearly.
   Few are as beloved and widely respected as Jimmy Smith, who made 
such a difference in the lives of so many and in his community. We both 
considered him a friend and relied on him for his wise counsel, as did 
our staffs and our colleagues in state and local government. Mr. 
Speaker, it is fitting that we honor Jimmy today for his decades of 
commitment to the North Coast, and we express our deepest appreciation 
for his friendship and service. His presence will be sorely missed and 
his legacy not soon forgotten.

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