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Proclamation honoring Reverend Thomas E. Smith upon the occasion of his retirement after serving 29 years as senior pastor of Monumental Baptist Church.
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WHEREAS, Allegheny County is blessed with individuals dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our neighborhood and the community as a whole; individuals such as Reverend Thomas E. Smith who has placed his stamp of character and hard work throughout the community, as both a public servant and strong leader; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Smith arrived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from his native Virginia in 1985, and he has served as the senior pastor of the Monumental Baptist Church, located in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, for 29 years; and
WHEREAS, under Rev. Smith’s leadership, numerous programs and services were established at Monumental to meet the needs of the church and the community; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Smith was instrumental in creating organizations dedicated to improving the social, economic and political lives of African Americans in Pittsburgh, including the Metropolitan Crusade for Voters and the Coalition for Equal Opportunity; and
WHEREAS, as a subscribing life member of the N.A.A.C.P., Rev. Smith has worked tirelessly as an advocate for African Americans, seeking better housing, job opportunities and neighborhood revitalization; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Smith has served as the chairman of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO), as chairman of the Center for Family Excellence, as chairman of the Thomas Merton Center, as founder and chairman of Hill District Ministers, Inc., as a board member of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s Metro-Urban Institute and the Allegheny County Volunteer Board for Emergency Food and Shelter, just to name a few. Rev. Smith also remains active in the Baptist Minister’s Conference of Pittsburgh and Vicinity;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby thank Reverend Thomas E. Smith for his spir...
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