[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING COACH EARL SMITH, JR. OF GARY EMERSON HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. FRANK J. MRVAN

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2023

  Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand before 
you today to recognize Coach Earl Smith, Jr. and the alumni of Gary 
Emerson High School. The Emerson All Class Reunion Gala will take place 
on September 2, 2023, at Chateau Banquets in Merrillville, Indiana. 
During this special event, Coach Smith will be honored for his lifetime 
of dedicated service by former students, athletes, colleagues, and 
friends.
  Coach Earl Smith, Jr. was a true mentor, leader, teacher, and advisor 
for the Gary Community School Corporation for over 56 years. His 
lifelong career includes numerous positions, culminating with his 
retirement as City Athletic Director in 2013. Throughout his tenure, 
Mr. Smith coached track and field, football, golf, and basketball at 
Tolleston, Froebel, West Side, Emerson, and Lew Wallace high schools, 
and he holds the distinction of being the first African American head 
coach at Froebel, Emerson, and Lew Wallace. His basketball teams won 
five conference titles, three sectional titles, three regional titles, 
and twice advanced to the elite eight at the Indiana State Tournament. 
In addition. Coach Smith's 1977 Emerson basketball team won the Hall of 
Fame Classic Tournament, reaching the number one ranking in the state 
polls during that time.
  For his outstanding career and his unwavering dedication to the Gary 
Community School Corporation and beyond, Coach Smith has received many 
accolades. He has been inducted into the Indiana Track and Field Hall 
of Fame, the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, and the Indiana Basketball 
Hall of Fame. Coach Smith was also honored with the prestigious Ray 
Crowe Excellence in Leadership Award by the Indiana High School 
Athletic Association for his superior standards of sportsmanship, 
exceptional ethical conduct, and high moral character. His outstanding 
and unwavering commitment to the community of Gary and Northwest 
Indiana is worthy of our highest commendation.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring Coach Earl Smith, Jr. and in recognizing the alumni 
of Emerson High School. For his noteworthy career and his remarkable 
dedication to youth sports and education, Coach Smith is worthy of the 
highest praise, and he serves as an inspiration to us all.

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