Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

To Arkansas House Of Representatives

State Rep. Judy Smith of Camden has announced plans to seek re-election to the Arkansas House of Representatives in the May 21 Democratic Primary.

Smith is serving her third term in District 37, which include parts of Ouachita, Nevada and Columbia Counties. She serves as house vice-chair of the Legislative Joint Committee on Children and Youth; is a member of the House Public Health Welfare and Labor Committee and of the House Aging and Legislative Affairs Committee. She also serves on the six-member House Management Subcommittee of the Aging and Legislative Affairs Committee and is a member of the Legislative Auditing Committee. In addition, she serves on the Children, Families and Health Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

"I want to thank the citizens of District 37 for continuing to give me the opportunity to serve in the General Assembly," she said. "I deeply appreciate the support and prayers, you have given my family and me.

Smith is married and has two children. She is a member of Greater St. Paul Baptist Church. She serves on several local, regional, state and national boards and commissions. A licensed social worker, she is a certified volunteer manager and has been the executive director of PAC (People Are Concerned) for the past 12 years.

Her board and commission appointments include the Governor's Family Partnership on Children and Families. DeSota Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, executive board; Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice; Arkansans in Coalition Against Hunger; Camden League of Women Voters; Camden Cairview a Middle School PTA; and Federal Emergency Food and Shelter.

Smith received the 1993 NAFEO Award -- National Advancement For Educational Opportunities -- and the Most Distinguished Alumni honor from Grambling State University.

She was one of four legislators recognized for significant contribution to providing equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities by the Arkansas Disability Coalition. She also received special recognition for dedication to the empowerment of Arkansans with disabilities from the Governor's Commission on People with Disabilities.

And she has received the Ila Upchurch Center (Nevada County) Humanitarian Award and an Arkansas Business Women of Distinction Award, in addition to the Arkansas Business Top 100 Women in Arkansas in 1995 and 1996.

She has given motivational speeches around the state and has presented drug and alcohol abuse prevention workshops in several other cities.

Smith was recently elected as deputy majority leader of the Democatic House Caucus.