[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 217 (Thursday, December 16, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        HONORING MEREDITH SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 16, 2021

  Mr. RYAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and pay tribute to Meredith 
Isaac Smith, 76, who passed on Friday, November 26, 2021.
  He was born on July 28, 1942, in Cleveland, son of Osceola Smith and 
Consuela Evans. Meredith was a 1960 graduate of Sollers Point Junior/
Senior High School in Maryland and a 1964 alum of the University of 
Maryland Eastern Shore, a historically black university, where he 
earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.
  Upon graduating, Meredith would return to academia, teaching physical 
education at Southern High School for 40 years. He would become the 
boys' basketball coach, holding the position for 21 years and finishing 
with a 398-144 record. Although he never personally played any sport in 
both high school and college, Meredith's passion for coaching would 
lead him to win a Maryland Scholastic Association A Conference title in 
1990 and three Maryland Public Secondary Athletic Association state 
titles in 1993, 1994, and 1996. His success would lead him back to his 
alma mater, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, in 2004, serving 
as an assistant coach for three seasons before becoming the program's 
interim head coach during the 2007-2008 season.
  While helping his athletes achieve athletic greatness, Meredith's 
compassion also included being a mentor to the youth. When he knew that 
coaching high school basketball was his calling, Coach Meredith gave 
his all to his athletes, treating them like his own children. While a 
coach at Southern, Meredith demanded academic excellence from his 
athletes and wanted his students to continue their education past high 
school. Several of his remarkable players were able to continue their 
careers in college, which was one of his major priorities.
  Meredith is survived by his children Ali Smith, Darryl Smith, Atman 
Smith, Lydia Jackson, and Lisa Robinson; two brothers, James Smith, and 
Carlton Smith; two sisters, Mary Livingston, and Alexis Smith; 12 
grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

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