NC SENATOR FRED SMITH: FROM JAG TO POLITICS & BEYOND

 

 

 

Jim Kouri, CPP
September 27, 2006
NewsWithViews.com

"I'm not a politician; I'm a CEO who ran for public office five years ago. In the world I live in, we deal with straight talk and clear vision," � says State Senator Fred Smith of North Carolina.

Fred Smith has always been a natural leader � on the football field, in the Army, in the courtroom, on the farm, in the boardroom, and now � in the North Carolina Senate. Since assuming office in the State Senate, Smith has worked to implement his positive agenda of creating jobs, improving education, and protecting family values. Most recently, Senator Smith has joined with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fight for a critical east-west transportation corridor, support an Amendment to the state Constitution defending marriage, and set spending priorities with a Taxpayer Protection Act. Fred's leadership has been applauded by conservatives across North Carolina.

The principles that have guided Fred Smith are grounded in his parent's strong influence and his childhood experiences growing up at the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh, NC.

Fred's father was a teacher and coach there, and his mom served as a cottage "housemother." As a child, Fred played football and baseball, delivered a morning paper route, and was active in athletics, church programs and the Boy Scouts. While attending Raleigh's Broughton High School, Fred won a football scholarship to attend Wake Forest University. Subsequently, he worked his way through Wake Forest Law School where he graduated with honors in 1966.

Senator Smith served his country as a Captain in the United States Army JAG Corps for four years after law school. In the years that followed, Fred Smith became a successful attorney, entrepreneur, farmer/cattleman and homebuilder. Today, Senator Smith's family businesses provide over 600 jobs in Wake and Johnston Counties.

Fred is a committed father and husband to his five children and his wife Ginny. The Smith family is also active in the First Baptist Church of Clayton, where Fred is a Sunday school teacher. The Smiths have a strong commitment to their community -- often involving both their businesses and their individual interests.

"We must do everything in our power to support strong families. Many of the problems our state now faces: substance abuse, high dropout rates, and violent," said Smith.

An issue close to Smith's heart is border security. "There is a reason that people want to come to our country. America has always been a land of opportunity where with hard work and heart you can become [a citizen]."

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But Smith tempers his compassion with a desire for a strong border security program. He's a staunch conservative who doesn't closet his beliefs once he's won the election battle. He continues to pursue the goals of America's conservative movement in is own state. And in this year of empty promises and strategizing by politicians, Fred Smith shows leadership, not partisanship.

� 2006 Jim Kouri- All Rights Reserved