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Rep. Pete Stark

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mayor David W. Smith who is retiring after serving 33 years as the Mayor of the city of Newark, California.

Mayor Smith began his career in 1967 after graduating from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Business Administration and Industrial Management. He began his career as a Plant Manager at Ethyl Corp. After working at the plant for ten years he developed an interest in public service. In 1976, he was elected to the Newark City Council. Just two years later, in 1978, he was elected Mayor of the city of Newark.

Mayor Smith is currently serving his 16th consecutive term as mayor, the most senior mayor currently serving in California. Additionally, he is also 2nd in mayoral seniority in the United States. During his service as Mayor, Smith was the Vice President of the Retail Division of Oatey Supply Chain Services from 1979 to 2006. More recently, he has served as the Executive Director of Ohlone College Foundation since

Mayor Smith's accomplishments during his tenure as Mayor are exemplary. He has displayed the highest level of public service to his citizens, and his commitment can be seen through the wide array of organizations and committees in which he was involved. He was a Trustee and Committee Chair of the United States Conference of Mayors, and was highly involved in the Arts Committee as well as the Education Committee. He was previously chair of the Alameda County Transportation Authority and the Tri-City Waste Management Authority, and was also President of the Alameda County Conference of Mayors. He is the currently the Chair of the Newark Redevelopment Agency, the Newark Disaster Council, and the Newark Community Development Advisory Committee.

Mayor Smith has received a myriad of awards for his outstanding accomplishments. He was honored as a Distinguished Alumni of Calumet High School, and an Outstanding Young Alumni of Michigan Technological University. He was selected as one of California's Five Outstanding Young Men, and was named a Life Member of the United States Junior Chamber, a leadership and civic organization.

I join many others in saluting Mayor Smith for his commitment to excellence, thanking him for his exemplary service, and wishing him well on his retirement.