December 18, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 205 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING DR. C. ELAINE SMITH FOR RECEIVING THE WOMAN IN THE COMMUNITY 
                             SERVICE AWARD

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                          HON. ELAINE G. LURIA

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 18, 2019

  Mrs. LURIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Dr. C. 
Elaine M. Smith on receiving the 2020 Outstanding Woman in the 
Community Service Award for the Tidewater Chapter of the National 
Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. This award was developed to honor 
women who are making significant contributions to their community 
through their time, actions, talents, and dedication. This is an 
amazing accomplishment.
  This award recognizes Dr. Smith's lifetime of service and commitment 
to the promotion of respect among people of diverse backgrounds. Dr. 
Smith generously serves the community with civility and justice.
  As a second grader, Dr. Smith was one of the first to integrate the 
Virginia Beach City Public Schools, then known as Princess Anne County. 
At the age of 6, her parents supported her on a journey of learning 
experiences that were both negative and positive yet vital to her 
development.
  Dr. Smith has been an agent for change and an advocate for students 
with disabilities (SWD) as she sought Specials Education as her 
vocation. She retired from Norfolk Public Schools after more than 30 
years, where she served in numerous leadership capacities. Her 
professional experiences are vast as she has taught students with 
emotional disabilities, autism, and learning disabilities. As a Teacher 
Specialist at the district central office level for secondary students 
with disabilities and as an Educational Diagnostician, her duties were 
to assess both general and special education students who experienced 
academic and behavioral challenges in school. In these positions, she 
made recommendations to improve academic and behavioral deficits and to 
keep students in the least restrictive environment based on their 
individualized needs.
  Her service to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., National Alliance 
for Black School Educators, National Allies for Parents in Special 
Education, has allowed her to put enormous efforts in strengthening 
ties to the local community with her civic involvement with various 
organizations. Dr. Smith's dedication as a leader within our community 
is truly inspiring. I am proud to honor and recognize Dr. Smith's 
leadership and the role she plays in making our community a better 
place. Coastal Virginia has significantly benefited from her presence.

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