[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1405-E1406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF BETTY SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERRY McNERNEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2016

  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring the life of Betty Smith, who passed away on April 24, 
2016.
  Betty spent most of her life in Knightsen, California preserving the 
rich farming culture of East Contra Costa County.
  She began contributing to her community at a young age. While 
attending Liberty High School, she co-wrote the lyrics to the school's 
anthem, which is still used by the Liberty Lions today. After high 
school, she studied at University of the Pacific in Stockton, and 
worked at Fiberboard in Antioch.
  Betty continued her service by teaching preschool for many years and 
participating in the Knightsen Garden Club and 4-H Club.
  Betty and her husband, William R. Smith, continued the family farm 
started by her parents. As a multi-generation family farm in Knightsen, 
Smith Family Farm is known for many varieties of stone fruits, 
tomatoes, zucchinis, apples and cruciferous greens. Each year, the Farm 
holds a Tomato Festival and Pumpkin Harvest Festival to celebrate the 
fresh crops of East Contra Costa County.
  Over the last 25 years, Betty greeted visitors from near and far when 
they arrived at Smith Family Farm to purchase fresh fruits and 
vegetables during the U-pick season. She engaged the visiting children 
with her barn show and taught them about farming, nature and local 
history using songs, stories, and

[[Page E1406]]

music. Betty was the matriarch and heart of Smith Family Farm.
  Betty showed devotion to her community through many years of service 
to the children and families that came to the farm. Her love of the 
arts, dedication to education, and commitment to others is an 
inspiration for our community.
  It is for these reasons that I ask my Colleagues to join me in 
honoring the memory of Betty Smith and her lifetime of service.

                          ____________________