[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18417]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         RON SMITH, A VOICE OF REASON FOR MARYLAND AND AMERICA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Bartlett) for 2 minutes.
  Mr. BARTLETT. On November 18 Ron Smith, a respected and beloved 
Baltimore-area radio talk show host on WBAL, as well as a columnist for 
the Baltimore Sun, announced his retirement after 26 years because of 
his diagnosis of inoperable pancreatic cancer and impending death.
  I ask all of my colleagues to join me, along with thousands of loyal 
listeners and readers who have expressed their deep appreciation and 
admiration for Ron Smith. Ron unfailingly contributed a voice of reason 
with unmatched candor while providing a forum for civil and vigorous 
debate about politics and policy that is sorely needed everywhere in 
America.
  I feel privileged to have been a guest a number of times on Ron's 
show on WBAL. It was always equally a pleasure and a challenge to meet 
Ron's high standards. Ron is a true conservative in the classical and 
historical meaning of the term. With equal enthusiasm and utmost 
respect, Ron asked tough questions of guests and callers and dissected 
the arguments of liberal elites, Democrats and Republicans, and others 
who call themselves conservative.
  From a vast knowledge of both history and government, Ron Smith 
shared, and we in Maryland were most privileged to benefit from, his 
succinct and persuasive dialogue and dedication to liberty and reason.
  Thank you, Ron. Godspeed.

                          ____________________