[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 41 (Thursday, March 7, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H1006-H1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                 WELCOMING CASSIE SMITH TO THE CAPITOL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, at the young age of 109, 
Cassie Smith voted on the first day of this year's primary and was 
among the first in North Carolina to do so.
  Ms. Cassie, also known as Ma Cassie by neighbors and friends in her 
Battleboro community, is a living and walking symbol of our democracy. 
I am honored to welcome her to Washington, D.C., as my special guest to 
the State of the Union.
  When I visited the Smith home to invite her, in response, Ma Cassie 
smiled brightly and said: I am blessed. I thank God every day.
  Her faith drives her, and she wholeheartedly believes in the 
importance of fulfilling her civic duty. What a reminder as we 
commemorate Bloody Sunday.
  Ms. Cassie traveled by airplane, which was the first time she has 
flown, and she said this was an item on her bucket list. At 109, why 
not?

[[Page H1007]]

  I am glad to let eastern North Carolina and the American people know 
that Delta flight 5310 has landed, and Ms. Cassie is here in 
Washington, D.C., safe and sound with her son, Frank, and caretaker, 
Faye. Ms. Cassie can check that one off her bucket list.
  From working on the farm, turned maid, and now special guest at 109 
years old, what an American story and inspiration. Her presence at our 
Nation's Capitol embodies the very essence of why we have the 
opportunity to assemble and our democratic values.
  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed with great honor I share Ms. Cassie Smith's 
story.

                          ____________________