[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE WORK OF WALTER SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DC APPLESEED

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2022

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the critically 
important and remarkable work of Walter Smith, who, after over 20 
years, is stepping down as the executive director of the DC Appleseed 
Center for Law and Justice. At DC Appleseed, Walter has made 
significant contributions to the District of Columbia on issues ranging 
from democracy to public health to the environment to education.
  I have worked closely with Walter in the fight for statehood, 
congressional voting representation and home rule for D.C. Walter has 
been one of the intellectual architects of these efforts, leading 
litigation, testifying before Congress and authoring legal opinions.
  Walter has led DC Appleseed's important work on HIV/AIDS, early 
childhood programs, special education, drinking water, the Anacostia 
River and end-of-life care. Last year, Walter's work led to a 
settlement with a health insurer that resulted in the creation of a $95 
million fund to address public health needs in D.C.
  Walter has litigated numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, 
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the D.C. Court of 
Appeals. Prior to joining DC Appleseed, Walter served as Special Deputy 
Corporation Counsel at the D.C. Office of the Corporation Counsel, 
which is now D.C.'s Office of the Attorney General, where he oversaw 
major litigation. Prior to his D.C. service, Walter practiced appellate 
litigation at Hogan Lovells for 16 years, where he served as a partner 
and was the full-time director of the firm's pro bono practice. Walter 
also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps.
  Walter is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and Harvard Law 
School. After law school, Walter clerked for a judge on the U.S. Court 
of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
  Walter has been recognized for his outstanding legal work. For 
example, Walter received the President's Award from the Washington 
Council of Lawyers in 2011, was named one of the ``90 Greatest 
Washington Lawyers of the last 30 years'' in 2007 by the Legal Times 
and received the D.C. Bar's highest award for public service, the 
Brennan Award, in 2014. He has also enjoyed an active role in local 
musical theater, staring in several major productions.
  I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the 
important contributions of Walter Smith, and to congratulate him as he 
steps down as the executive director of the DC Appleseed Center for Law 
and Justice.

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