[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 198 (Friday, December 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1156-E1157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING LARRY D. SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AMI BERA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 1, 2023

  Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest gratitude 
and admiration for the exemplary service and dedication of Mr. Larry D. 
Smith. It is with great honor that we acknowledge his remarkable 
contributions and years of service to our country and our Military 
Academies. I thank him for his invaluable partnership over the past 
decade as this weekend marks his last round of academy nomination 
interviews that he will conduct in support of my office.
  Born in Los Angeles in 1940, Mr. Smith's journey is one marked by 
commitment and achievement. A graduate of Manual Arts High School in 
1958, he furthered his education at the United States Military Academy, 
earning a BS in General Engineering in 1962. Commissioned as a 2nd 
Lieutenant in the US Army, Armor Branch, Mr. Smith's military service 
took him to Germany, the United States, and Vietnam, where he served 
with distinction in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
  Transitioning to civilian life in 1970, Mr. Smith embarked on a 
successful career in Commercial Real Estate, notably with Grubb & Ellis 
Company, where he served on the Board of Directors and managed offices 
in the Los Angeles area. His relocation from Southern California to 
Sacramento in 1979 marked the beginning of a new chapter as a 
Commercial Real Estate Developer, leaving an indelible mark by 
constructing the IRS office facility in Sacramento and managing others 
in Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. His foray into residential home 
building in 1990 saw the creation and sale of hundreds of homes in the 
Sacramento area, a testament to his enduring entrepreneurial spirit.
  Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Smith has been an active 
and engaged member of the West Point community. Currently serving as 
the President of the West Point Alumni in Northern California, he also 
holds the position of National Trustee for the Association of 
Graduates. His involvement in the West Point Admissions Department and 
his role as the e-mail network moderator for the West Point Parents Net 
(wpp-net) showcase his commitment to the development and support of 
future generations. Mr. Smith's family life is equally commendable, 
having been married to his wife, Maren, for 35 years. His sons, Tom and 
Mark, have followed in his footsteps, with Tom serving as an officer in 
the Army and Mark as a legislative aide to a California State Senator.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Mr. Larry D. Smith in 
recognition of his outstanding achievements and unwavering dedication 
to public service. His legacy serves as

[[Page E1157]]

an inspiration to us all, and we are grateful for his continued 
contributions to the betterment of our community and Nation.

                          ____________________