[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19179-19180]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO DEBRA DAVIS-SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Debra Davis-
Smith for her service to the health and well-being of those living in 
the 10th Congressional District of New York.
  Ms. Davis-Smith was born to the late Joyce and Robert Davis, and 
raised in an extended family that included her maternal grandparents 
and aunts in Brooklyn, New York. Being the eldest of three, Ms. Davis-
Smith always had the instinct to care for and look after others.
  Ms. Davis-Smith was educated in both the public and parochial school 
systems. It was

[[Page 19180]]

during this time that she recognized her interest in helping others 
outside of her family by volunteering her services after school as the 
Candy Striper at Kings County Hospital. On weekends and during the 
summer months, she volunteered with the Department of Aging which 
allowed her to work with elders in various senior citizen centers and 
also work with her local precinct in mentoring teenagers.
  After high school, Ms. Davis-Smith attended The City College of New 
York where she majored in Sociology. During her studies, she continued 
to volunteer and intern with several non-profit groups. Her focus was 
always on educating and empowering others whether they be youth or 
senior citizens.
  Following her undergraduate studies, she attended Fordham University 
and received her Master's in Social Work. While at Fordham her studies 
focused on individuals and families which eventually led her towards 
the field of mental health. The National Institute of Mental Health 
provided support to Ms. Davis-Smith which would also determine her 
future employment.
  Upon graduating Fordham, Ms. Davis-Smith was employed by The Catholic 
Guardian Society where she worked with children in foster care and 
adoption service. She remained there for a year until she began working 
as a social worker at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center in 
their Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. Ms. Davis-Smith would spend the next 
25 years with the health center, working alongside dedicated 
professionals who shared her passion in working with the mentally ill. 
Within this time she held several positions within the discipline of 
social work, and is currently in the position of acting Director of 
Social Work Services.
  Ms. Davis-Smith is married to Clifford Smith and has two daughters, 
Brittany and Morgan. With her family's continued love and support she 
is able to continue her community service.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
community achievements of Ms. Debra Davis-Smith.

                          ____________________