Joseph F. Smith (politician)
Encyclopedia
Joseph F. Smith was a member of the United States House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania
during the Ninety-seventh United States Congress (1981–1983).
Smith served as the 31st Ward Leader for more than three decades.
- a community composed of blue collar
families, mostly of Irish
, Polish
and Russian
heritage. He was married to Regina Bukowski-Smith, also of the Port Richmond section in Philadelphia. They had one daughter, Regina. Smith was a Sergeant and Purple Heart
recipient in the United States Army
during World War II
.
between 1965 and 1970. He became Byrne's Administrative Assistant
during that time. He then served in the Pennsylvania State Senate
from 1970 until 1981 — first as a congressional staff member, then as an elected State Representative and eventually Chair
of the Committee on Appropriations .
He won election in 1981 as a Democrat to the 97th Congress through a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Raymond F. Lederer
due to the ABSCAM
sting. Smith lost the Democratic primary in the special election, but then ran as a Republican, with the blessing of the GOP, in the general election and won. He promised during his campaign that he would caucus with the Democrats if elected.
After leaving the U.S. House of Representatives in 1983, Smith went on to become Democratic City Chairman in Philadelphia between 1983 and 1986. He was succeeded by Bob Brady
.
facility located at 1602 Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia ("Kensington Station") was renamed as the Joseph F. Smith Post Office Building.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
during the Ninety-seventh United States Congress (1981–1983).
Smith served as the 31st Ward Leader for more than three decades.
Background
Smith was born in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
- a community composed of blue collar
Blue collar
Blue collar can refer to:*Blue-collar worker, a traditional designation of the working class*Blue-collar crime, the types of crimes typically associated with the working class*A census designation...
families, mostly of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
and Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
heritage. He was married to Regina Bukowski-Smith, also of the Port Richmond section in Philadelphia. They had one daughter, Regina. Smith was a Sergeant and Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
recipient 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...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Political career
After leaving the military, Smith became active in local politics, serving first as Ward Chair for James A. ByrneJames A. Byrne
James Aloysius Byrne was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Jim Byrne was born in Philadelphia, PA. He attended St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia. He was engaged in business as a mortician from 1937 to 1950. He was the county registrar for the Bureau...
between 1965 and 1970. He became Byrne's Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant is a broad job category that designates an individual who provides various kinds of administrative support to people and groups in business enterprises.-Kinds of Administrative Assistants:...
during that time. He then served in the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
from 1970 until 1981 — first as a congressional staff member, then as an elected State Representative and eventually Chair
Chair
A chair is a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs are most often supported by four legs and have a back; however, a chair can have three legs or could have a different shape depending on the criteria of the chair specifications. A chair without a back or...
of the Committee on Appropriations .
He won election in 1981 as a Democrat to the 97th Congress through a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Raymond F. Lederer
Raymond F. Lederer
Raymond Lederer was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's Third Congressional District from 1977 to 1981....
due to the ABSCAM
Abscam
Abscam was a United States Federal Bureau of Investigation sting operation run from the FBI's Hauppauge, Long Island, office in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
sting. Smith lost the Democratic primary in the special election, but then ran as a Republican, with the blessing of the GOP, in the general election and won. He promised during his campaign that he would caucus with the Democrats if elected.
After leaving the U.S. House of Representatives in 1983, Smith went on to become Democratic City Chairman in Philadelphia between 1983 and 1986. He was succeeded by Bob Brady
Bob Brady
Robert A. "Bob" Brady is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1998, and the ranking Democrat on the United States House Committee on House Administration since 2007...
.
Honors
In honor of Smith's years of service to his community, the United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
facility located at 1602 Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia ("Kensington Station") was renamed as the Joseph F. Smith Post Office Building.