[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6915]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        COMMEMORATING THE RETIREMENT OF RICHARD CAROL (RC) SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PHIL HARE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 29, 2010

  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long and 
distinguished career of public service of Richard Carol Smith, known to 
family, friends and colleagues as RC.
  A life-long resident of the Midwest, RC has been a fixture in Macon 
County and in particular Long Creek Township through his work in 
government service as well as his political activism. What is even more 
impressive is that while working diligently for the public good, he was 
employed by Wabash, Norfolk & Western and Norfolk-Southern Railways, 
for some 39 years. Yet he found the time to be an incredibly active and 
respected member of his community and our region.
  His service and commitment to Long Creek is unparalleled. He 
currently serves as Long Creek Township Clerk, a post he has held since 
1997, as well as being a former assessor for the town. He has also 
served Long Creek as the township supervisor and assistant supervisor.
  His service to Macon County is just as impressive. RC served on the 
Macon County board for almost 30 years. He was first elected to the 
board in 1970 and served as chairman from 1985 to 1986 and as vice-
chairman for 6 years. He also served as the Mt. Zion Township 
Supervisor and was the first Democrat elected to the post in 20 years.
  In addition to a long career in area Democratic Party politics, Mr. 
Smith has been an ardent supporter of the labor movement, culminating 
with him serving as the executive director of Decatur Area Labor-
Management from 1989-1997.
  A man of faith, RC is active in his local church, where he is an 
ordained Deacon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church. He also served his 
country honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956.
  RC can't quite shake the pull of politics and will remain the 
president emeritus of the Long Creek Township Democrats as well as 
continue as the secretary of the Macon County Democrats. However, with 
all of the accomplishments and commitments, RC has earned a well 
deserved retirement from his service as the chairman of the Long Creek 
Township Democrats. RC has been married over 45 years to his wife Wanda 
and is the proud father of three children and a grandfather to boot. I 
know that he is looking forward to spending more time with his family, 
but I am confident he will still remain as an active and steadfast 
force for his community. I hope he enjoys his retirement--it is well 
earned after many years of service and commitment to the people of our 
area.

                          ____________________