[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 100 (Tuesday, June 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF MICHAEL SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Michael A. Smith, an 
outstanding member of a special family in the Shenandoah Valley, whose 
generosity of time, energy, and money has made a significant difference 
in the lives of my Shenandoah Valley constituents. Mr. Smith recently 
received the President's Award of Shepherd University, in 
Shepherdstown, West Virginia, for his extraordinary service and 
contributions to that university.
  With the passing of their father, Gerald F. Smith, in 2003, Michael 
and his brother, Gerald Smith, Jr. have led the family owned business, 
Valley Proteins, Inc., through a period of remarkable growth. 
Established in 1949 by their grandfather, Clyde A. Smith, as a one-
truck service for recycling waste meat byproducts and spent cooking 
oils, Valley Proteins is now one of the largest independent rendering 
companies in North America, operating 12 plants in seven states.
  Although the Smith family enterprise has consumed most of the 
brothers' time, they have both given back to the community in 
significant ways. Michael has served as the President of the Winchester 
Youth Development Center, which provides recreational and enrichment 
opportunities for the youth of Winchester, the Vice President of the 
Virginia Community College Foundation, which raises funds to provide 
access to post-secondary education to all Virginians, the Treasurer and 
Annual Giving Chairman for Powhatan School, and the President of the 
Board of Directors of the Upperville Colt and Horse Show.
  Since graduating from Shepherd University with a business degree in 
1989, Michael Smith has also generously given of his time and money to 
his alma mater. Today, he is president of the Shepherd University 
Foundation, which receives and administers private gifts for student 
scholarships, academic and program support, faculty excellence awards 
and other university initiatives. In addition to starting two endowed 
funds in the name of his grandfather and father, Smith assisted with 
the university's efforts to create a school of business, by issuing a 
generous challenge grant which resulted in the raising of more than 
$650,000 for the school.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in honoring 
Michael Smith, Vice President of Valley Proteins, Inc., for his special 
recognition from Shepherd University and his extraordinary 
contributions to the residents of the northern Shenandoah Valley and 
the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

                          ____________________