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Smith Statement on the Passing of Congressman Donald Payne

March 6, 2012

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement today on the passing of Congressman Donald Payne of New Jersey:

“Congressman Donald Payne was an outspoken advocate for the civil liberties of all people. He worked tirelessly representing his constituents as the first African-American to serve from New Jersey and as the former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“I was honored to serve with Congressman Payne during his time as the highest ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights where we worked together to find solutions to the global health challenges being tackled in Washington state such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic and better measures to treat and put a stop to widespread preventable diseases like tuberculosis and malaria. Don was a humanitarian and his commitment to improving the lives of those who were most in need will leave an indelible mark on our world.

“Congressman Payne will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

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Smith Statement on the Retirement of Congressman Norm Dicks

March 2, 2012

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement today after Congressman Norm Dicks announced he would not seek re-election to Congress this year.
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Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) released the following statement today after Congressman Norm Dicks announced he would not seek re-election to Congress this year: 

“For 36 years, Norm Dicks has been a champion for the people of Washington State. He has been one of the most influential and effective members of Congress and has worked on a range of issues with boundless energy.  Norm has worked tirelessly to support programs that helped build vital relationships for our community and he’s been an advocate for policies that protect the natural resources and habitat within the Puget Sound. Through his work on behalf of our military and their families, Norm has done his best to ensure our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines have the resources and support they need to maintain our national security and are esteemed for their service to our country.

“Since I began my career in Congress, Norm has also been a great mentor and close friend.  As our districts share a border, we’ve worked together on issues that have significantly impacted our economy and the well being of the people living in the South Sound. We’ve partnered to secure funds for school reconstruction on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, to protect the Green River Valley and strengthen the Howard Hanson Dam, and we’ve worked to strengthen the industrial base in the Pacific Northwest.

“I will greatly miss working with Norm as a member of the Washington State Delegation. I thank him for his service, his partnership and for the contributions he has made to our community and to our country. I wish him and his family the very best as he moves into the next stage of his life.”

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Smith Statement on the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center

February 28, 2012

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today made the following statement in response to the Executive Order signed by President Obama establishing the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC):

“The creation of an Interagency Trade Enforcement Center is an important step forward toward ensuring that our trading partners are held accountable when they violate international agreements and, importantly enabling American workers to compete fairly in the global marketplace.

“Coordinating the relevant agencies and increasing resources to investigate unfair trade practices by our competitors is critical to our economy’s growth and is essential to putting more Americans back to work. As the fourth largest exporter in the country, we must level the playing field for Washington State products that face unfair trade practices and subsidies by foreign countries.

“I’m pleased the Administration has shown a real commitment to American economic growth and I am confident the Enforcement Center will continue to help secure economic prosperity and advance American interests.”

Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Sentencing of “Underwear Bomber”

February 16, 2012

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement after Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab received a life sentence in a federal courtroom this afternoon.
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House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement after Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab received a life sentence in a federal courtroom this afternoon:

“The life sentence given to Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab by a federal court in Detroit this afternoon demonstrations that our federal court system is fully capable of bringing terrorist to justice. It is now clear, without a doubt, that the terrorist who sought kill innocent Americans will spend the rest of his life behind bars and far, far away from the battle field.

“I agree with Attorney General Holder that ‘today's sentence once again underscores the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in both incapacitating terrorists and gathering valuable intelligence from them.’ I applaud our domestic law enforcement agencies who played an active role in apprehending AbdulMutallab and bringing him to justice."

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Smith Joins Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

February 15, 2012

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today made the following statement after becoming one of 11 new members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
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Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today made the following statement after becoming one of 11 new members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus:
"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). My district has strong and active Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and I’m proud to represent them as one of the newest CAPAC members.

“I look forward to working with my peers on the caucus to continue addressing the unique issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and to ensure their voices are heard."

Washington State’s 9th district is home to more than 60,000 Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and people of Asian descent. Thirty-three percent of the foreign languages spoken by residents of the 9th district are Asian Pacific.

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

For more information on CAPAC, visit http://capac.chu.house.gov/.

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