[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10684]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO BOB AND GAY SMITHER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 13, 2001

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate my 
constituents, Bob and Gay Smither, on receiving the Texas Young Lawyers 
Association Liberty Bell Award on behalf of their work with the Laura 
Recovery Center Foundation. I couldn't think of two more worthy people 
to receive this award.
  I met the Smithers just over four years ago, after the disappearance 
of their daughter, Laura Kate. Sadly, Laura's body was recovered a 
couple of weeks later. The Smithers chose to turn this terrible tragedy 
into something positive, the founding of the Laura Recovery Center. It 
is because of Laura and her parents' inspiration, that I founded the 
Congressional Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children.
  Through this harrowing experience, we have learned of thousands of 
families who suffer this same tragedy every year in this nation. Bob 
and Gay have dedicated their lives to protecting our children and 
keeping our families safe. So many in their community worked so hard to 
bring Laura home that I can't imagine a stronger outpouring of love and 
support by a community.
  The Smithers have told me that they intend to accept it on behalf of 
all of their volunteers. This is just one more indication of their 
commitment to their community and their selflessness--they choose to 
share this honor rather than accept it only on behalf of themselves.
  The Foundation has recently received Texas Commission on Law 
Enforcement Officer Standards and Education certification for their 
training program on rapid response to child abduction and have been 
invited to present monthly training courses at the Houston Police 
Academy and Galveston County Sheriff's Department.
  I am honored to call Bob and Gay Smither my constituents, and am 
honored that they have been selected to receive the Liberty Bell Award.

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