[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE WORK OF GEORGE M. SMART

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES B. RENACCI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2018

  Mr. RENACCI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
dedicated service of George M. Smart, Director of FirstEnergy Corp. 
Under Mr. Smart's leadership, Summit County, Ohio has directly 
benefited from FirstEnergy's growth and success.
  Mr. Smart is currently a trustee at his alma mater, Defiance College, 
where he was an undefeated quarterback for the Defiance College Yellow 
Jackets. Now, Mr. Smart devotes his time and resources to the success 
of athletic programs at Defiance, through the George M. Smart Athletic 
Center, which opened in 2012. Mr. Smart's lifelong loyalty to the 
Cleveland Browns, from the victorious ``Kardiac Kids'' in the 1980s, to 
the challenges of rebuilding the franchise today, serves as an 
inspiration to NFL fans everywhere. In 2006, the Ohio Foundation of 
Independent Colleges (OFIC) inducted Mr. Smart into its Hall of 
Excellence, thereby honoring George for his service to Defiance 
College, as well as his impact on society through professional 
achievement, leadership and scholarship.
  I am especially proud of the George and Sandy Smart Family 
Foundation, whose mission it is to help the needy and spread the word 
of the gospel in the Medina and Canton, Ohio area. Additionally, the 
Foundation sponsors children at churches in Ecuador, which the 
Foundation established.
  FirstEnergy experienced significant growth during the period Mr. 
Smart served as Director, growing from Ohio Edison with 1 million 
customers, to having 6 million customers in six states. Mr. Smart is 
concluding his service to shareholders as Director of FirstEnergy Corp. 
on May 15, 2018. Throughout his life, Mr. Smart has been a respected 
business leader, while maintaining multiple leadership positions with 
civic and charitable organizations in the region.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to extend my congratulations and well 
wishes to George for his many years of dedicated service as a Director 
of FirstEnergy Corp., his support of Defiance College and the OFIC, and 
the George and Sandy Smart Family Foundation's ongoing philanthropic 
efforts. While Mr. Smart served as chairman of its Board, FirstEnergy 
remained committed to the long-term prosperity and vitality of Summit 
County. His work has been critical in supporting economic development 
efforts that created jobs, sustained local suppliers and attracted new 
businesses to the 16th District of Ohio.

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