HLS 23RS-3948 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 284
BY REPRESENTATIVE ROBBY CARTER
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Harold J. Smith on the honor of having a street in
Kentwood named the Harold J. Smith Thruway
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend Harold J. Smith on the honor of having a street in Kentwood named the Harold
3 J. Smith Thruway.
4 WHEREAS, Harold J. Smith was the first African American mayor in Kentwood's
5history, and he served in that capacity with honor for twelve years; he also served for twelve
6years on the Kentwood Town Council, was a member of the Tangipahoa Parish Zoning
7Board and Tangipahoa Parish Library Board, and served as president of the Tangipahoa
8Parish School Board Principals and Supervisors Association; and
9 WHEREAS, professionally, Mr. Smith worked for the Tangipahoa Parish School
10System for thirty-three years; he began as a teacher and coach at Woodland High School,
11then served as a teacher, coach, and assistant principal at Kentwood High School; his final
12role was as principal of Chesbrough Elementary School; and
13 WHEREAS, Mr. Smith is a graduate of Dillon High School in Kentwood, and he
14holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern University and a master's degree
15plus thirty from Southeastern Louisiana University; and
16 WHEREAS, Mr. Smith is a United States Army veteran who served during the
17Vietnam War; he is also a life member of Oak Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church
18where he has served as the chair of the trustee board and the renovation committee; and
19 WHEREAS, Harold J. Smith will be honored on June 19, 2023, during the Juneteenth
20celebration, when the Harold J. Smith Thruway will be officially designated; he is most
21deserving of the highest recognition for his unprecedented accomplishments in civil service.
Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-3948 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 284
1 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
2Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Harold J. Smith on the honor of having a
3street in Kentwood named the Harold J. Smith Thruway and does hereby express gratitude
4for his service to the citizens of Kentwood and Tangipahoa Parish.
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)]
HR 284 Original 2023 Regular Session Robby Carter
Commends Harold J. Smith on the honor of having a street in Kentwood named the Harold
J. Smith Thruway.
Page 2 of 2