[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 138 (Friday, August 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                       TRIBUTE TO MR. CURT SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM BANKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 23, 2019

  Mr. BANKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Curt Smith, a 
distinguished Hoosier who has spent nearly four decades fighting to 
advance faith, family, and freedom in the great state of Indiana. Curt 
truly embodies what it means to have a servant's heart. He has served 
our state with honor and integrity in various roles including 15 years 
as an aide for U.S. Senator Dan Coats and U.S. Rep. John Hostettler and 
18 years as President of the Indiana Family Institute.
  Curt has truly established himself as a thought leader and advocate 
for the preservation of our First Amendment rights. He has heavily 
contributed to Indiana's many pro-life achievements including banning 
abortion up to 20 weeks and defunding Planned Parenthood of state tax-
dollars. Curt also has taken it upon himself countless times to defend 
the religious liberty of all Hoosiers at the state and local level.
  Furthermore, under Curt's leadership, the Indiana Family Institute 
has implemented countless groundbreaking programs and initiatives 
including the ``5 Freedom's Project'', a program which works to address 
social and economic problems facing Hoosiers through effective policy 
and research. Most notably, Curt was instrumental in developing the 
Hoosier Leadership Series, a program that seeks to develop leadership, 
worldview training, and create a network of future conservative leaders 
across Indiana. My wife, Amanda, and I are both proud graduates of this 
program and we are thankful for the impact it has had on our lives.
  Madam Speaker, Curt is a once in a generation type of leader and the 
state of Indiana is proud to have someone of his caliber guiding us 
into a brighter tomorrow. I wish him many more years of success in his 
new role as Chairman of the Indiana Family Institute.

                          ____________________