[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 204 (Thursday, December 3, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO FORMER REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT FREEMAN ``BOB'' SMITH

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 3, 2020

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life 
of former Representative Robert Freeman ``Bob'' Smith.
  I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and former colleague 
and offer my deepest condolences to his friends and family.
  I served with Bob in Congress for a decade. He spent his life serving 
Oregonians in various roles, including president of the Public Lands 
Council, and in the Oregon legislature as House Speaker and 
subsequently Senate Minority Leader. He dedicated his life to his 
community, his constituents, and all Oregonians.
  Growing up in Burns, he worked as a rancher. His experiences provided 
a deep knowledge of the needs and concerns of rural Oregonians, and he 
was one of their fiercest advocates. Bob was also a man of principle. 
He retired from Congress in 1995, yet ran again in 1997 because his 
successor, a member of his own party, had lied about his military 
service, among many other problems. He won, and when he returned to 
Congress for what would be his last term, he was elected Chairman of 
the House Agriculture Committee, placing him in a powerful role 
championing policies important to rural communities.
  Make no mistake, Bob and I had policy disagreements, but we were 
always friends and worked together often. One of my fondest memories is 
when Bob and I worked alongside former Senator Mark Hatfield to 
designate the Newberry Crater as a Monument in order to protect the 
area from energy development. Though we came from different sides of 
the aisle, this designation effort was just one example of how we were 
able to come together as Oregonians to protect the people, resources, 
and great outdoors that make Oregon home. Bob is missed, but his life 
of service and inspiring legacy lives on.