[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1612-E1613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF CLARENCE ``SMOKY'' SMEKOFSKI OF NORTH SAINT 
                            PAUL, MINNESOTA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 18, 2019

  Ms. McCOLLUM, Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and remember 
the life of Clarence ``Smoky'' Smekofski. He was a beloved husband, 
father and uncle. He was also a proud veteran of the United States Navy 
and a longtime Letter Carrier for the United States

[[Page E1613]]

Postal Service. When Smoky passed away earlier this month at the age of 
94, he was warmly remembered by his daughter Jeanne-Marie and many 
relatives and friends for his constant kindness, humor and love of 
nature.
  Throughout his life, Smoky demonstrated the importance of service to 
his family, our community and our nation. As a Letter Carrier for more 
than 40 years, he rose as a leader in the National Association of 
Letter Carriers Branch 28 in Saint Paul, always a steadfast advocate 
for his brothers and sisters who deliver the U.S. mail every day. In 
his role as Legislative Liaison for Branch 28, I was privileged to work 
with him to ensure that Letter Carriers have a voice in the U.S. 
Capitol, and receive fair wages and benefits for their hard work.
  In retirement, Smoky stayed active well into this year, because he 
truly understood the importance of unions, and that Americans depend on 
Letter Carriers for reliable, six-day, door-to-door mail delivery. His 
endless dedication and mentorship of rising leaders and collaborative 
skills truly made a difference. He personified the mission of the U.S. 
Postal Service to ensure that neither snow, rain, heat nor dark of 
night get in the way of the delivery of our mail.
  It was my pleasure to know and work with Smoky and call him a friend. 
He was a kind and extraordinary person who will be deeply missed.
  Madam Speaker, thank you for rising with me to pay tribute to 
Clarence ``Smoky'' Smekofski.

                          ____________________