[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21155]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



SAN DIEGO URBAN LEAGUE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AWARD: REVEREND GEORGE WALKER 
                                 SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 1999

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay respect and recognition 
to Reverend George Walker Smith, who tonight will be honored at the San 
Diego Urban League's Annual Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner. Reverend 
Smith is the 1999 recipient of the League's Equity Opportunity Award.
  Reverend Smith is a man who has distinguished himself throughout the 
years by his unselfish service. During his 42 years as a pastor in San 
Diego, he has been active not only in his parish, but in the greater 
community. His influence is felt not only in the religious sphere, but 
in education policy and political activity. He was one of KNSD Channel 
39's ``List of 39'', a series featuring prominent and effective San 
Diegans. In 1998, San Diego Magazine profiled Reverend Smith as one of 
the 50 San Diegans who have had a major impact in shaping the city over 
the past 50 years.
  The third of eleven children of the late Amanda and Will Smith, he 
early on faced a situation in his home town where schooling was not 
provided beyond junior high school for African-Americans. This 
segregated education forced him to attend a boarding school supported 
by missions of the Presbyterian Church.
  An outstanding academic record as class valedictorian and his 
participation in extra-curricular activities and sports earned him a 
scholarship to Knoxville College. Upon graduation, he entered 
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to pursue his goal of becoming a 
minister. He received his Master of Divinity degree in 1956 and set out 
to eradicate the economic and educational injustice he had experienced. 
His motivation to provide a quality education to all children stems 
from his own early experiences, which made it difficult for him to 
receive the education that he deserved. He determined that should not 
happen to another child!
  Coming to San Diego shortly after receiving his Divinity degree, he 
became the founder of the Golden Hills United Presbyterian Church. This 
congregation merged with the Brooklyn Heights Church in 1981 and became 
the Christ United Presbyterian Church of San Diego, one of the most 
respected congregations in the San Diego Presbytery.
  Almost immediately, he also became involved in the educational system 
in San Diego. His accomplishments include his election in 1963 to the 
San Diego Board of Education--San Diego's first African-American public 
official, his service as President of the Council of Great City 
Schools, and as President of the National School Boards Association.
  During his 16 years on the School Board, he literally changed the 
color of the administrative and teaching staffs--bringing the advantage 
of diversity to the nation's 6th largest school district.
  He also served on many state and national commissions and on the 
National Advisory Commission for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 
Prevention and the White House Conference on Children and Youth.
  He has received many honors and awards, attesting to his 
contributions and the high regard in which he is held, including San 
Diego's Outstanding Young Clergyman, Phi Delta Kappa Lay Citizen Award, 
Gentleman of Distinction of the Women's Guild, Temple Emanuel, and 
Distinguished Alumni of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He was 
endorsed by the Presbytery of San Diego for the moderator of the 
General Assembly, the first time a San Diego Presbyterian had been so 
honored.
  He is married to Irene Hightower Smith, and they are the parents of 
three children, Anthony, Carolyn and Joyce and the grandparents of five 
grandchildren, Taj, D'maj, Shani, Wayman, and Noni.
  I am pleased to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Reverend 
George Walker Smith on the occasion of his recognition by the San Diego 
Urban League and to acknowledge his idealism and dedication to 
providing a quality education for all children and to making his 
community a better place for all of its citizens.

                          ____________________