Recognizing Ms. Denise Smith

Floor Speech

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Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Denise Smith of Canton, Michigan, upon her 70th birthday. Ms. Smith is a tireless community servant and personal friend who has dedicated her life to advancing many social and political causes that are critically important to the people of Michigan's 11th Congressional District and the greater Metropolitan Detroit community. The entire Nation benefits from the work of Ms. Smith, and it is a pleasure to join her family and friends in celebrating and thanking her today upon achieving this significant milestone.

Ms. Denise Smith grew up in Waterford, Michigan and has continued to make Southeast Michigan her home for many years since. She spent much of her career with Ford Motor Company in corporate finance, retiring after 25 years, in 2014. In addition to the full-time commitment of maintaining a family and career, Ms. Smith found great pleasure in serving her community through volunteering and grassroots organizing. She was inspired to lead a life of service by her experience as a child, watching her parents offer help to anyone in need. This instilled in Denise a strong sense of service, leading to her affiliation with many local organizations throughout her life that have the mission of helping others.

Among the many causes that Ms. Smith has taken up, she has worked to support and advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence with First Step Michigan, address the gun violence epidemic with Moms Demand Action, and organize and distribute clothing to those in need as a high school clothing bank volunteer. Expanding the scope of her activism, Ms. Smith was drawn to assist with the election of Barack Obama, serving as a volunteer for his 2008 campaign. Ms. Smith loves sharing her enthusiasm for her community by making phone calls to engage voters, assembling yard signs to remind neighbors of the upcoming election, and overseeing campaign offices and their administration. She also served on the board of the Canton Democratic Club and was Treasurer of the Township Treasurer's campaign. Because of her tireless efforts, she was deservedly awarded the 2013 Grassroots Activist Award from her local Democratic Party organization.

Along with being a prolific local activist, Ms. Smith is proud to be a mother and grandmother. Her beloved son, Sam Plymale (Chelsea Plymale) of Livonia, Michigan, and daughter, Sarah Plymale-Ponza (Victor Ponza) of Portland, Oregon, have brought her great joy in welcoming two lovely grandchildren, Annabelle Plymale and Zadian Ponza; she is also thrilled for another grandson, Joseph Plymale, to join the family this June. Being a mother and grandmother motivates Ms. Smith's efforts to extend beyond rhetoric, as she translates her passion into action that is certain to leave our nation a better place for future generations.

Madam Speaker, Ms. Denise Smith has dedicated herself to helping others and has improved the lives of countless individuals within Michigan's 11th Congressional District and beyond. Her acts of kindness as a servant leader have an impact that will positively influence our community and Nation long into the future. It is with great pleasure that I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Denise Smith upon her 70th birthday and to thank her for the years of service on behalf of her fellow Americans.

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