Recognizing Prosper Mayor Ray Smith

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAYLOR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Ray Smith as he prepares to depart his longtime service as the steadfast Mayor of Prosper, Texas.

A 1981 graduate of Baylor University, Ray earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Real Estate. During his time at Baylor, Ray, the son of a former Dallas Cowboy, would passionately pursue football as a member of the renowned 1980 Southwest Conference Champion Football Team.

Smith began his career in public service in Frisco, Texas where he served as a member of the City Council, Economic Development Corporation, Community Development Corporation, Planning & Zoning Board, Frisco Education Foundation, and as a volunteer firefighter during a period of unprecedented growth.

In 2004, Ray was appointed the President of the Prosper Economic Development Corporation where he continues to serve as council liaison. In 2005, Ray and his family would relocate to the Town of Prosper where he would plant deep roots and play an integral role in the town's early development. Following his service on Town Council, Ray was elected Mayor in 2010.

Over the past twelve years, Mayor Smith's leadership has helped cultivate the town's rapid but intentional growth. By managing the town in a manner that focuses on the long-term wellbeing of its residents, Smith has worked to implement needed structural improvements while preserving neighborhood greenspace. During his tenue, the community has tripled in growth, and new residents are frequently known to receive Smith's personally signed welcome letter--a trademark of the affable leader.

In addition to his many leadership roles on numerous boards, councils, and committees, in 2016 Ray was elected to serve on the North Central Texas Council of Governments Executive Board and was elected President of the Board in 2020. He is currently the Chair of the Collin College Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the Meals on Wheels of Collin County Advisory Board, and an Alternate Member of the Regional Transportation Council.

While Ray's many efforts have undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the region, his greatest achievement is his family. Ray and his wife of 31 years, Lena, were blessed with three sons and two grandsons, Jacob and Jackson, whom they are helping to raise.

Ray Smith has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the Prosper community, and while his tenure as Mayor is coming to a close, he will certainly continue to forge a tremendous legacy. As he prepares to begin a new chapter of his life, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Ray Smith for his selfless and dedicated service.

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