Friday, January 20, 2006

MR. SMITH GOES TO CHARLESTON

Oce Smith, from Fairmont, Marion County, currently serves as Sergeant at Arms for the West Virginia House of Delegates. Once designated as a Distinguished West Virginian, Mr. Smith has served in various capacities in and around Marion County including a writer for a local Marion County paper. Mr. Smith was elected to the Sergeant at Arms post at the beginning of the 58th Legislature and has been reelected in every Legislature since then, now serving as the 43rd Sergeant at Arms of the House of Delegates. Mr. Smith holds the distinction as the longest serving legislative officer in the United States.

Throughout his thirty plus years of service Mr. Smith has had the opportunity to meet and socialize with some of the greatest political minds of any generation: such as President John F. Kennedy, Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Robert C. Byrd, and Senator Jennings Randolph to name but a few. In 2003 the West Virginia House of Delegates recognized and honored Mr. Smith's service to the legislature by dedicating a Marion County historic-covered bridge in his honor. Those in attendance for the dedication included the late A. James Manchin, former Delegate Donna Renner of Marion county and Monongalia County Delegate Bob Beach.

Those who desire to visit the Capitol should make a point to stop by the Sergeant at Arms office located off the main corridor between the House and Senate chambers; once in the office visitors will be treated to an array of photos documenting the life and times of our distinguished Sargent at Arms. While visiting perhaps Mr. Smith could be encouraged to share a story or two about his numerous experiences associated with serving the legislature and the history behind the many photos.

Mr. Smith pictured here(with glasses), performing one of his many responsibilities in the House; escorting Governor Manchin to the Speakers podium to deliver the 2006 State of the State Address.

One final note, recently Mr. Smith was injured in an auto accident while returning to Charleston, although the injuries are not life threatening, Mr. Smith will undergo physical therapy for the next several weeks before returning to active service. Get well cards may be sent to Oce Smith, Sergeant at Arms, 1900 Kanawha Blvd, Building One, Charleston WV 25305.

Get well soon Oce, your friends and family: The West Virginia House of Delegates.