[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E961-E962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE AND CAREER OF AMBASSADOR MARION H. SMOAK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MICHAEL WALTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 2019

  Mr. WALTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service and 
career of Ambassador Marion H. Smoak as he celebrates his 103rd 
birthday. Ambassador Smoak has dedicated many years to public service 
and embodies the principles of a true servant leader.
  Ambassador Smoak earned a bachelor's in English and History from The 
Citadel in 1938. He went on to receive a law degree from the University 
of South Carolina Law School in 1941. After receiving his law degree 
Ambassador Smoak served in the Army as a Judge Advocate and was 
stationed in Berlin, Germany and New Caledonia, Japan with the 11th and 
82nd Airborne Divisions. Following his tour abroad, he became a law 
professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
  Upon leaving his position at West Point, Ambassador Smoak continued 
to serve in the Army as a Legislative Liaison Officer right here in 
Washington, D.C. During his service, he assisted in drafting 
legislation and performed liaison duties both with Congress and

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the Department of Justice, State, and Department of Defense. Ambassador 
Smoak then became Chief of the Legislative Drafting Division for the 
Judge Advocate General. He served as Chief until 1961 when he retired 
from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following his retirement, 
Ambassador Smoak continued to serve his community by pursing elected 
office in the South Carolina State Senate.
  Upon completing his term in the Senate, Ambassador Smoak was 
appointed to serve at the State Department as the Deputy Chief of 
Protocol, then Chief of Protocol for President Nixon. During this time 
Smoak was witness to many historic events of diplomacy. When he retired 
from the State Department in 1974, he was given the title of 
Ambassador. His storied career continued when he was named Co-Chairman 
on the Committee of Finance for then Presidential candidate Ronald 
Reagan. Ambassador Smoak went on to practice international law until 
his retirement.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
career and lifelong servant leadership of Ambassador Smoak. It is with 
great pride that we thank him for his service and wish him continued 
health and happiness with his friends, family, and loved ones. 
Furthermore I hope that he may continue to enjoy his well-deserved 
daily martinis.

                          ____________________