Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month with immense gratitude for the life of service of veteran and retired educator, Dr. John L. Smith, Jr. Because of Dr. Smith’s long-standing commitment and dedication to education and leadership, higher learning institutions throughout the United States are advancing diversity and inclusion at the highest levels. He charted a course through music, the arts and education that serves as an inspiration for future generations.

Dr. Smith was born in Bastrop, La. on Sept.14, 1938. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged after four years of service. Dr. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Lincoln University and then his master’s degree in music education from Indiana University. Dr. Smith also went on to earn his doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with post-graduate study at Harvard University. 

Dr. Smith is married to Dr. Juel Shannon Smith and they share seven children, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren together. 

Dr. Smith’s memoir titled Mentors Matter: One Black Man’s Journey to Success highlights the role many of his mentors played in nurturing and inspiring his interest in classical music and the sousaphone. His life’s path was so outside the norm, it is inspiring to learn how each of his mentors, Black and white, kept him on track until he reached goals that few other Black men of his time had achieved.

Dr. Smith is a nationally recognized and accomplished musician. For more than 60 years, he has dedicated his time to playing the tuba. In 1962, he was named the first African American principal tubist for a professional American symphony orchestra. Dr. Smith was the first African American to receive a full-time appointment with the Oklahoma City Symphony. In 1966, Dr. Smith was appointed as Chairman of the Music Department at Langston University and modified the curriculum to be more African American-centered. Also, during his tenure there, he produced a summer Black Arts Festival.

Dr. Smith’s talent and commitment to students did not go unrecognized. In 1972, he was appointed as the first Tuba professor at the University of South Florida. His work to create an inclusive environment for Black students was tremendous and includes serving as founder and president of the Committee on Black Affairs, increasing Black faculty and administrators, and creating a Black student support group. Dr. Smith’s leadership in these roles led to the establishment of the Institute on Black Life and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. campus plaza.

In 1988, Dr. Smith advanced to the position of dean of USF’s College of Fine Arts, becoming USF’s first Black academic dean. From 1988 to 1998, Dr. Smith raised $120 million for three endowed Chairs, including an African Art Chair; increased student and faculty diversity; held weekly lunch and counseling sessions for minority students; and endowed scholarships and programs for students. Also, while serving as Dean, Dr. Smith was the first African American to be elected president of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans and he served as chairman of the Florida Higher Education Arts Network.

In 1999, he became the 12th president of Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., a top-tier historically Black liberal arts institution. During his tenure as president, Fisk University advanced from 11^th to eighth rank in the U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review, garnering the university greater national visibility. While in Nashville, Dr. Smith was appointed by the Mayor to the Task Force on Affordable Housing and Community Access Television Committee while also serving in the NAACP. 

Dr. Smith is the recipient of many honorable civic, social, and educational honors such as the Tampa/Hillsborough County Human Rights Award and Outstanding Young Men of America. Dr. Smith’s other accomplishments include expansion of international exchange and study abroad programs at USF as well as arts outreach programs to the University Area Community, Boys and Girls Clubs and West Tampa Elementary. Dr. Smith is also a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. 

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am proud to recognize Dr. John L. Smith, Jr., for his lifetime commitment to servant leadership, creative spirit, diversity and inclusion in education, and uplifting our entire community.