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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E1759 HON December 2, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1759 HONORING THE 150TH she is no longer with us, she leaves behind a devoted man of Faith and dear friend to my ANNIVERSARY OF SAN JOSE HIGH lifetime of selflessness. Jeanet lived for her wife, Vivian and me, Georgia State Represent- family, attending to her seventeen children, ative Calvin Smyre. Representative Smyre HON. ZOE LOFGREN sixty eight grandchildren, sixty-three great was honored for his contributions to Greater grandchildren, ten great-great grandchildren, Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church on Sunday, No- OF CALIFORNIA three adopted daughters; two nephews, two vember 24, 2013 at 11 a.m. in Columbus, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nieces, two great nephews, one great niece; Georgia. Monday, December 2, 2013 and two Godchildren. All the while, she was also involved in min- Representative Smyre earned a degree in Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my istry at Bethel Baptist Church and served faith- Business Administration from Fort Valley State colleague Representative MIKE HONDA to rec- fully in the choir, driving the bus for the Evan- University. In 1974, he was elected to the ognize the 150th Anniversary of San Jose gelism Ministry and attending all special pro- Georgia House of Representatives as its High School. grams and church activities. youngest member at 26 years of age. I was It is not often that we get to honor an institu- I extend my condolences to Jeanet’s family fortunate to have the opportunity to serve with tion established during the Civil War; one that and friends, but may they, as well as all of us, Representative Smyre during my own tenure has witnessed our country’s greatest triumphs, take strength in the selfless contributions and in the Georgia General Assembly, and we be- and withstood our greatest challenges. sincere love that Jeanet has left for us to emu- came great friends. Founded in 1863, San Jose High is the sec- late. onded oldest public high school in California. A longtime statesman, Representative f With humble origins in the second-story room Smyre has built a repertoire of legislative ac- above Orbon’s flour store, it has been de- TRIBUTE TO JFK complishments. He currently serves on the stroyed by earthquake, rebuilt and relocated Appropriations Committee and the Rules Com- many times, but San Jose High has persisted. mittee and is the former Chairman of the HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON House Minority Caucus. He played major roles When it arrived at its current location in OF TEXAS 1952, the original building was selected by the in authoring and sponsoring important legisla- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES New York City Museum of Modern Art as one tion, including the legislation making Dr. Martin of the forty-three outstanding buildings of the Monday, December 2, 2013 Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a state holiday; cre- postwar period. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. ating the Georgia Dome, home of the Atlanta Although it is responsible for the education Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th Falcons; and creating a new Georgia State of a number of successful Alum, San Jose anniversary of the passing of an extraordinary Flag. He is President Emeritus of the National High has the rare distinction of having edu- and progressive individual, our 35th President Black Caucus of State Legislators. cated four members of Congress: the Honor- of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. In addition to his legislative achievements, able John Anderson; former Secretary of President Kennedy was elected during a time Representative Smyre has also built a suc- Transportation, the Honorable Norman Mineta; period when change was imminent even in the cessful business career. He has served as Ex- our colleague Representative MIKE HONDA; midst of resistance. Throughout a tumultuous ecutive Vice President of Corporate External and my predecessor, the Honorable Don time in this country’s history, President Ken- Affairs of Synovus and President of the Edwards. nedy stood strong against those who saw this Synovus Foundation. He also serves as one San Jose High has a history of establishing nation’s progress as a threat. of eight members of the company’s Corporate forward thinking and unique educational pro- During the height of the civil rights move- grams. In 1985 it began offering the Inter- ment, President Kennedy’s willingness to en- Executive Group. Synovus, a Columbus, national Baccalaureate Diploma, a qualification gage in the struggle for the equal rights of all Georgia-based diversified financial services widely recognized by the world’s leading uni- people transcended the era. He embraced civil holding company, has been named one of versities. The program’s challenging and rig- rights and encouraged an entire nation to join Fortune magazine’s ‘‘100 Best Companies to orous course work attracts students from all him in the fight for justice. His civil rights en- Work For’’ in America multiple times. over Santa Clara County. gagement was seen as a turning point in the Yet, Representative Smyre is more than a Not one to rest on its laurels, in 2007 San fight for equality. legislator, he is more than a business execu- Jose High created a specialized engineering President Kennedy also advocated for tech- tive, he is a servant to all humankind and still program to encourage students to enter STEM nological advancement and encouraged un- finds time to serve his community. He has precedented innovation during his time. As the fields and prepare them for their continuing held leadership and membership positions on ranking member on the Science, Space and education. The curriculum includes courses on numerous boards, foundations and organiza- Technology committee, I admire the will of Engineering Design, Digital Electronics and tions. Dr. Maya Angelou once said that, ‘‘I’ve President Kennedy to further our country’s Biotechnical Engineering. Coupled with the learned that you shouldn’t go through life with state-of-the-art Career Technology Engineer- space exploration capabilities. President Ken- nedy placed an emphasis on the country’s sci- a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be ing Building, opened in 2010, San Jose High able to throw something back.’’ Representative is ensuring that its students are prepared for entific competitiveness that few considered necessary. President Kennedy displayed a Smyre continues to throw a prodigious amount a 21st century economy. of love and service back to the Columbus, We wish to congratulate San Jose High courageous and resilient vision for this country that is consistent, in every way, with the title Georgia community, the State of Georgia, and School on its 150th anniversary, and com- our country. mend its faculty and staff, both current and of Commander-in-Chief. former, for their hard work and dedication in Today, many cities around the country, in- But most importantly, Representative Smyre educating the children of San Jose. cluding my district in Dallas, will hold cere- is a devoted Man of God. Greater Ward Chap- monies to commemorate his legacy. Mr. el A.M.E. Church has been his home for more f Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in than fifty years, the members of the congrega- THE PASSING OF JEANET HALL recognizing his legacy. May his eternal flame tion are his family, and worship is his suste- continue to burn as a symbol of his lasting im- nance. Representative Smyre has made nu- pact on this country. HON. JOE GARCIA merous contributions to the Church and for f that, he has been honored with the ‘‘Calvin OF FLORIDA Smyre Tree of Life.’’ This is the Church’s way IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN RECOGNITION OF THE HONORABLE CALVIN SMYRE of thanking Representative Smyre for pouring Monday, December 2, 2013 his heart, body, and soul into Greater Ward Chapel A.ME. Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. pay tribute to an exemplary Christian whose OF GEORGIA Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join life of service to both God, and her fellow IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES me, my wife Vivian, Greater Ward Chapel man, was an inspiration to both her children A.M.E. Church, and the Columbus, Georgia and her community. Monday, December 2, 2013 community in honoring Georgia State Rep- Jeanet Hall passed away on Thursday, No- Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise resentative Calvin Smyre for his dedicated vember 21st, 2013 at the age of 76. Though today to honor a distinguished public servant, service, leadership, and faith. VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:08 Dec 03, 2013 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K02DE8.009 E02DEPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS.
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