[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 69 (Friday, April 19, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    REMEBERING CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER THREE, (RET) CARTER SMYRE, JR.

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 19, 2024

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a loving 
husband, outstanding father, proud grandfather, astute entrepreneur, 
distinguished military officer, faithful man of God and friend of 
longstanding, Chief Warrant Officer Three, (Ret) Carter Smyre, Jr. 
Sadly, CWO3 Smyre transitioned from labor to reward on April 12, 2024. 
A homegoing celebration attended by friends and family will be held on 
April 19, 2024, at the Ward Chapel AME Church in Columbus, Georgia.
  The extraordinary life story of CWO3 Carter Smyre, Jr. began with his 
birth to the union of the late Staff Sergeant Carter Smyre, Sr. and 
Mrs. Selma Tinsley Smyre on June 7, 1925, in Griffin, Georgia. 
Following the example of his father, young Carter Smyre, Jr. set out to 
blaze his own path in the United States Army. One of his proudest 
moments was graduating from the U.S. Army Aviation School at Fort 
Rucker, (now Fort Novosel) Alabama. For 25 years, he served his 
country, rising through the ranks and ultimately being appointed by the 
Secretary of the Army as Chief Warrant Officer Three--a technical 
leader, trainer, operator, maintainer, sustainer, integrator, and 
advisor. CWO3 Smyre's life was always the epitome of the Army values of 
loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, integrity, honor, and 
personal courage--values which give soldiers direction, purpose, and 
motivation to be, know, and do what is right. And for 98 years that has 
been his legacy.
  Following his retirement from the Army, Carter Smyre owned and 
operated a grocery store, worked 10 years as a real estate agent at 
Carter Realty Company and then founded his own company, Smyre Realty 
Company which he operated for 42 years. He had immense joy when he was 
able to help others realize the dream of home ownership and because of 
his commitment to his craft and excellence, former Governor Joe Frank 
Harris appointed him to the Georgia Residential Housing and Finance 
Authority Board of Directors where he served the entire State of 
Georgia.
  It has been said that ``The true person of success is not the person 
that climbs the ladder of this life with both hands but who climbs with 
one hand and reaches back with the other.'' Chief Warrant Officer Smyre 
always reached back to help others throughout the Chattahoochee Valley 
Area to include his beloved East Carver Heights Community, the Moderns 
Club and the Path Seekers Civic and Social Club to name a few.
  On a personal note, CWO3 Smyre was a special friend and was 
``family'' to my wife, Vivian, and me. He encouraged us to pursue our 
dreams and supported us every step of the way as he did for so many 
others who have been blessed by his wise advice, counsel, and 
mentorship. He led by example and because of that sterling example, 
others, including his beloved son, former State Representative Calvin 
Smyre, have thrived in service to others.
  Carter Smyre accomplished much in life but none of this would have 
been possible without the grace of God, the love and support of his 
late wife, Mrs. Mildred Bass Smyre; his current wife, P.J. Glover; his 
devoted son, former State Representative and U.S. Representative/Public 
Delegate to the 78th United Nations General Assembly, Calvin Smyre; his 
late daughter Gwendolyn Smyre-Foster, grandchildren, great-
grandchildren and other extended family members.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the 765,000 people of 
Georgia's Second Congressional District in celebrating the 
extraordinary life of Chief Warrant Officer Three (Ret) Carter Smyre, 
Jr. and in extending our deepest condolences to his family, friends and 
all who mourn his loss. May we all be consoled and comforted by an 
abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

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