Virginia Smith set high standard for successors

Any public servant from any area would be wise to study the congressional career of Virginia Smith. "She wrote the book on how to represent western Nebraska," said Dr. Don Blank, who ran against Virginia in her first Nebraska 3rd District congressional race in 1974.

Dr. Blank, along with dozens of other Nebraska leaders, spoke with great affection today of Congresswoman Smith, who died Monday of pneumonia at age 94.

"She was missed when she left Congress in 1991, and she will be missed now," said Dr. Blank, a McCook dentist and former University of Nebraska regent.

Phyllis Gardner of Max, who became a friend of Virginia's through Republican party functions, said one of the most impressive things about Congresswoman Smith was that she knew so many of her constituents by name. "She would walk into a room, go around and talk to everyone," Gardner said.

That didn't happen by chance, however. "She worked hard at it," said Gardner and Jerda Garey of McCook, who also knew Congresswoman Smith well. On her way to events, Virginia would sit in the back seat while her husband, Haven, drove. It was during this time that Virginia would go through a file she had on every town, telling about the people who lived there. That way, with her memory refreshed, Virginia could greet those in attendance with insights and inside knowledge about the community and its residents.

Virginia Smith will also be remembered for her energy and enthusiasm. "She was a dynamo," Dr. Blank said. "Her enthusiasm wouldn't quit." That showed during her 16 years in Congress. "She was legendary for starting meetings at 6:30 in the morning," Gardner said. "My son, Jeff Magrath, worked for her in Washington and he said she ran one of the best offices in Congress."

One of Mrs. Smith's highest priorities was immediate responses to her constituents' questions. She kept track of the concerns of the citizens in western Nebraska and she followed up, giving personal reports on her many trips back to the district.

In recent years, Virginia was a resident of Sun City West. During that time she became acquainted with several former residents of this area, including Velma Schreiner from Benkelman. The two recently had lunch, sharing memories of friends from this region.

During her years in Congress, Virginia Smith set a standard for service that should be a model for all who enter public service. Most important, she demonstrated the importance of listening closely to the wishes of the people, and doing her utmost to see that the best interests of the 3rd District were represented.