[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 28, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING NEAL SMITH AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Neal Edward Smith of Des 
Moines, Iowa--in recognition of his 100th birthday--as our Iowan of the 
Week.
  Neal served our state as `the gentleman from Iowa' in the United 
States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1995--the longest that any 
Iowan has ever served in the House. As the current representative of 
Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, which spans much of the same area 
Mr. Smith represented here in Washington, I was glad to have the 
example he set to look to when taking office last year.
  As a fifth-generation Iowan, I've grown up with Mr. Smith's legacy 
across our state. Whether it's families using the Neal Smith Trail, 
employees working in the Neal Smith Federal Building, folks visiting 
the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge, or even students studying to be a part 
of next generation of leaders at the Neal Smith Law Center at Drake 
University--all of us feel the presence of this Iowa legend and newly 
minted centenarian.
  Mr. Smith honored our country by serving in the United States Army 
Air Forces during World War II as a bomber pilot. After his plane was 
shot down, Mr. Smith received a Purple Heart, Air Medal, four oak 
leafclusters and nine battle stars for his bravery and heroism.
  After exiting military service, Neal graduated both college and law 
school before entering public service, serving as the assistant county 
attorney for Polk County. In 1958, he was first elected to the U.S. 
House of Representatives, and he was reelected 17 more times after 
that.
  It is an honor to commemorate Neal's commitment to public service for 
his 100th birthday, and applaud this `gentleman from Iowa' for his 
hundred years of hard work and dedication to making Iowa better for 
everyone. Happy birthday, Neal.

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