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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 114
BY REPRESENTATIVES DOWNS AND GALLOT AND SENATOR KOSTELKA
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Dr. Joseph M. Smith, Sr., of
Ruston
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Dr. Joseph M. Smith, Sr. of2
Ruston.3
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the4
Legislature of Louisiana learned of the death of Dr. Joseph M. Smith, Sr., of Ruston on5
March 24, 2010, at the age of sixty-three; and 6
WHEREAS, born on May 2, 1946, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Smith graduated7
from Louisiana Tech University, where he was an active member of Tau Kappa Epsilon; and8
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was also a graduate of Louisiana State University Medical9
School in New Orleans; and10
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith completed an internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans,11
a residency at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi, and a residency in12
physical medicine and rehabilitation at Charity Hospital in New Orleans; and13
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was awarded a one-year teaching fellowship at the Rusk14
Rehabilitation Center in Columbia, Missouri, where he taught both residents and students15
certain aspects of rehabilitation medicine and was involved in the care of rehabilitation16
patients; and17
WHEREAS, at the Rusk Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Smith was involved in setting up18
a cardiac rehabilitation program and working with certain aspects of pulmonary19
rehabilitation; and20 HLS 10RS-2455 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, with his board certification in the speciality of rehabilitation, Dr. Smith1
went to Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston in 1978, where he served as the medical director2
of the physical rehabilitation department for ten years; and3
WHEREAS, in 1980, Dr. Smith was instrumental in pursuing and establishing North4
Louisiana Rehabilitation Hospital in Ruston, and he served as the hospital's medical director5
after it opened in November of 1988; and 6
WHEREAS, in 1998, when health problems forced him to retire, Dr. Smith was7
unable to resist the call to help others and continued his private practice in service to the8
people of North Louisiana; and9
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith served with unwavering dedication as a member of the10
American Academy of Rehabilitation and the Congress of Rehabilitation Specialists; and11
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was a fellow of the American College of Physical Medicine12
and Rehabilitation and a member of the North Central Louisiana Medical Society and the13
American Board of Bariatric Medicine; and14
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was married for thirty-nine years to the love of his life, Esma15
Haik Smith, and the couple raised three children; and16
WHEREAS, in addition to his love of medicine, Dr. Smith enjoyed fishing and17
traveling with his family; and18
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith is survived by his loving wife, Esma Haik Smith; children,19
Joseph Mitchell Smith, Jr., and wife Melissa, Theodore Littleton Smith, and Joy Halaine20
Smith; grandchildren, Weston, Olivia, Anna Kate, and Jonah Smith; mother, Carmelite21
Gullotta Smith; brothers, Dr. George Smith and wife Jenny, Judge Wayne Smith and wife22
Polly, Dr. Tommy Smith and wife Dr. Nancy Smith, Dr. Billy Smith and wife Kelly, and Dr.23
Jimmy Smith and wife Laura; brothers-in-law, Judge Richard T. Haik and wife Kathleen and24
Theodore M. Haik, Jr., and wife Carol; sister-in-law, Joy Haik Zainey and husband Judge25
Jay Zainey; numerous nieces and nephews; and an array of extended family members and26
friends; and27
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Joseph L. Smith, Jr.,28
and his grandson, James Patrick Michael Smith; and29 HLS 10RS-2455 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, with the death of Dr. Smith, Louisiana has lost one of her finest citizens;1
and 2
WHEREAS, Dr. Smith, who was admired by all whose lives he touched, leaves3
behind a rich and unique legacy and is greatly missed; and4
WHEREAS, although the death of Dr. Smith has left a tremendous void in his5
community, his memory shall live on forever in the minds and hearts of all who knew and6
loved him.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby8
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Dr. Joseph M. Smith, Sr., of9
Ruston, does hereby recognize and record for posterity his outstanding accomplishments and10
singular contributions, and does hereby extend enduring appreciation for the pride and honor11
that this wonderful man will forever bring to his family, friends, community, and state.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted13
to the family of Dr. Joseph M. Smith, Sr. 14
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Downs HCR No. 114
Expresses condolences upon the death Dr. Joseph M. Smith, Sr., of Ruston.