[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING TAMPA BAY'S LOCAL TRAILBLAZER, DR. JOHN SMITH, JR., IN 
                      HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2023

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History 
Month with immense gratitude for the life of service of veteran and 
retired educator, Dr. John L. Smith, Jr. Because of Dr. Smith's long-
standing commitment and dedication to education and leadership, higher 
learning institutions throughout the United States are advancing 
diversity and inclusion at the highest levels. He charted a course 
through music, the arts and education that serves as an inspiration for 
future generations.
  Dr. Smith was born in Bastrop, LA. on Sept. 14, 1938. He is a veteran 
of the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged after four years of 
service. Dr. Smith earned his bachelor's degree in music education from 
Lincoln University and then his master's degree in music education from 
Indiana University. Dr. Smith also went on to earn his doctorate from 
the University of Missouri-Kansas City with post-graduate study at 
Harvard University. Dr. Smith is married to Dr. Juel Shannon Smith and 
they share seven children, nine grandchildren and five great 
grandchildren together.
  Dr. Smith's memoir titled Mentors Matter: One Black Man's Journey to 
Success highlights the role many of his mentors played in nurturing and 
inspiring his interest in classical music and the sousaphone. His 
life's path was so outside the norm, it is inspiring to learn how each 
of his mentors, Black and white, kept him on track until he reached 
goals that few other Black men of his time had achieved.
  Dr. Smith is a nationally recognized and accomplished musician. For 
more than 60 years, he has dedicated his time to playing the tuba. In 
1962, he was named the first African American principal tubist for a 
professional American symphony orchestra. Dr. Smith was the first 
African American to receive a full-time appointment with the Oklahoma 
City Symphony. In 1966, Dr. Smith was appointed as Chairman of the 
Music Department at Langston University and modified the curriculum to 
be more African American centered. Also, during his tenure there, he 
produced a summer Black Arts Festival.
  Dr. Smith's talent and commitment to students did not go 
unrecognized. In 1972, he was appointed as the first Tuba professor at 
the University of South Florida. His work to create an inclusive 
environment for Black students was tremendous and includes serving as 
founder and president of the Committee on Black Affairs, increasing 
Black faculty and administrators, and creating a Black student support 
group. Dr. Smith's leadership in these roles led to the establishment 
of the Institute on Black Life and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
campus plaza.
  In 1988, Dr. Smith advanced to the position of Dean of USF's College 
of Fine Arts, becoming USF's first Black academic dean. From 1988 
through 1998, Dr. Smith raised $120 million for three endowed Chairs, 
including an African Art Chair; increased student and faculty 
diversity; held weekly lunch and counseling sessions for minority 
students; and endowed scholarships and programs for students. Also, 
while serving as Dean, Dr. Smith was the first African American to be 
elected president of the international Council of Fine Arts Deans and 
he served as chairman of the Florida Higher Education Arts Network.
  In 1999, he became the 12th president of Fisk University in 
Nashville, Tenn., a top-tier historically Black liberal arts 
institution. During his tenure as president, Fisk University advanced 
from 11th to eighth rank in the U.S. News and World Report and the 
Princeton Review, garnering the university greater national visibility. 
While in Nashville, Dr. Smith was appointed by the Mayor to the Task 
Force on Affordable Housing and Community Access Television Committee 
while also serving in the NAACP.
  Dr. Smith is the recipient of many honorable civic, social, and 
educational honors such as the Tampa/Hillsborough County Human Rights 
Award and Outstanding Young Men of America. Dr. Smith's other 
accomplishments include expansion of international exchange and study 
abroad programs at USF as well as arts outreach programs to the 
University Area Community, Boys and Girls Clubs and West Tampa 
Elementary. Dr. Smith is also a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and 
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am proud to 
recognize Dr. John L. Smith, Jr., for his lifetime commitment to 
servant leadership, creative spirit, diversity and inclusion in 
education, and uplifting our entire community.

                          ____________________