[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 73 (Tuesday, May 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MS. DENISE SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HALEY M. STEVENS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2022

  Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Denise 
Smith of Canton, Michigan, upon her 70th birthday. Ms. Smith is a 
tireless community servant and personal friend who has dedicated her 
life to advancing many social and political causes that are critically 
important to the people of Michigan's 11th Congressional District and 
the greater Metropolitan Detroit community. The entire Nation benefits 
from the work of Ms. Smith, and it is a pleasure to join her family and 
friends in celebrating and thanking her today upon achieving this 
significant milestone.
  Ms. Denise Smith grew up in Waterford, Michigan and has continued to 
make Southeast Michigan her home for many years since. She spent much 
of her career with Ford Motor Company in corporate finance, retiring 
after 25 years, in 2014. In addition to the full-time commitment of 
maintaining a family and career, Ms. Smith found great pleasure in 
serving her community through volunteering and grassroots organizing. 
She was inspired to lead a life of service by her experience as a 
child, watching her parents offer help to anyone in need. This 
instilled in Denise a strong sense of service, leading to her 
affiliation with many local organizations throughout her life that have 
the mission of helping others.
  Among the many causes that Ms. Smith has taken up, she has worked to 
support and advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence with 
First Step Michigan, address the gun violence epidemic with Moms Demand 
Action, and organize and distribute clothing to those in need as a high 
school clothing bank volunteer. Expanding the scope of her activism, 
Ms. Smith was drawn to assist with the election of Barack Obama, 
serving as a volunteer for his 2008 campaign. Ms. Smith loves sharing 
her enthusiasm for her community by making phone calls to engage 
voters, assembling yard signs to remind neighbors of the upcoming 
election, and overseeing campaign offices and their administration. She 
also served on the board of the Canton Democratic Club and was 
Treasurer of the Township Treasurer's campaign. Because of her tireless 
efforts, she was deservedly awarded the 2013 Grassroots Activist Award 
from her local Democratic Party organization.
  Along with being a prolific local activist, Ms. Smith is proud to be 
a mother and grandmother. Her beloved son, Sam Plymale (Chelsea 
Plymale) of Livonia, Michigan, and daughter, Sarah Plymale-Ponza 
(Victor Ponza) of Portland, Oregon, have brought her great joy in 
welcoming two lovely grandchildren, Annabelle Plymale and Zadian Ponza; 
she is also thrilled for another grandson, Joseph Plymale, to join the 
family this June. Being a mother and grandmother motivates Ms. Smith's 
efforts to extend beyond rhetoric, as she translates her passion into 
action that is certain to leave our nation a better place for future 
generations.
  Madam Speaker, Ms. Denise Smith has dedicated herself to helping 
others and has improved the lives of countless individuals within 
Michigan's 11th Congressional District and beyond. Her acts of kindness 
as a servant leader have an impact that will positively influence our 
community and Nation long into the future. It is with great pleasure 
that I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Denise Smith 
upon her 70th birthday and to thank her for the years of service on 
behalf of her fellow Americans.

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