Thomas S. Smith (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
Thomas S. Smith was an American
Republican Party
politician
, who served in the New Jersey
General Assembly
from 1992 until his death, where he represented the 11th legislative district. At the time of his death, Smith was the oldest serving member of the Assembly and was the only African American
Republican in the New Jersey Legislature
.
, majoring in education.
In the Assembly, he was the Deputy Speaker from 1998-2001, Majority Whip from 1996-1998 and the Assistant Majority Whip in 1996. He served in the Assembly on the Senior Issues Committee.
Smith served on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission from 1995 until his death, the New Jersey Commission on Discrimination in Public Procurement and Construction in 1992 and the Monmouth County
Volunteers in Probation Board of Directors in 1992. He was the Mayor of Asbury Park, New Jersey
from 1989 to 1993, served on the Asbury Park Council from 1985-1989 and was Asbury Park Police Chief from 1968-1979. He served in the United States Army
from 1942 to 1945, attaining the rank of First Sergeant
.
He died on September 26, 2002.
to fill the seat.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who served in the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
from 1992 until his death, where he represented the 11th legislative district. At the time of his death, Smith was the oldest serving member of the Assembly and was the only African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
Republican in the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
.
Biography
He was born on December 14, 1917 and attended Howard UniversityHoward University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, majoring in education.
In the Assembly, he was the Deputy Speaker from 1998-2001, Majority Whip from 1996-1998 and the Assistant Majority Whip in 1996. He served in the Assembly on the Senior Issues Committee.
Smith served on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission from 1995 until his death, the New Jersey Commission on Discrimination in Public Procurement and Construction in 1992 and the Monmouth County
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
Volunteers in Probation Board of Directors in 1992. He was the Mayor of Asbury Park, New Jersey
Mayor of Asbury Park, New Jersey
Mayors of Asbury Park, New Jersey:*Ed Johnson 2009 to present.*Kevin G. Sanders.*Kenneth E. Saunders Sr. 1996 to 2001.*Thomas S. Smith 1989 to 1993.*Daniel O. Hearn circa 1970.*George A. Smock II 1950 to 1955....
from 1989 to 1993, served on the Asbury Park Council from 1985-1989 and was Asbury Park Police Chief from 1968-1979. He served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1942 to 1945, attaining the rank of First Sergeant
First Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
.
He died on September 26, 2002.
Legacy
District 11 Republican County Committee members voted to fill the vacancy created by Smith's death by naming Sean T. KeanSean T. Kean
Sean T. Kean is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey Senate since being sworn in to office on January 8, 2008, where he represents the 11th legislative district, filling the seat vacated by Joseph A. Palaia...
to fill the seat.
External links
- Tom Smith's legislative web page, New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
, backed up by the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
as of November 8, 2008