ATLANTA – State Representative Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus) was recognized by the Georgia State Senate on February 19, 2014. The Senate honored Rep. Smyre with Senate Resolution 842, which commends him for his induction into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.
“It was an honor to be recognized by the Senate for my induction into the Civil Rights Walk of Fame; I cannot recall the Georgia State Senate recognizing a sitting member of the other Chamber,” said Rep. Smyre. “I am extremely appreciative of the support that I have received from my colleagues in both the House and Senate.”
A 40-year legislative veteran, Rep. Smyre is Dean of the House of Representatives, past president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Chairman Emeritus of the Democratic Party of Georgia, former Floor Leader to Governor Joe Frank Harris and Chairman Emeritus of the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus. Rep. Smyre’s legislative record includes authoring the legislation to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a state holiday. Additionally, Rep. Smyre was instrumental in passing the HOPE constitutional amendment and co-sponsored legislation to create the new Georgia state flag. He also helped create the legislation to construct the Georgia Dome, home of the Atlanta Falcons.
Outside of the General Assembly, Rep. Smyre has worked as a community organizer and the director of the “War on Poverty” program in Columbus. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of Corporate External Affairs at Synovus Financial Corporation.
Rep. Smyre is a graduate of Fort Valley State University (FVSU), where he received a major in business administration and a minor in accounting. He now serves as Chairman of the FVSU Foundation Board of Trustees and is a former national president of the FVSU National Alumni Association.
The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, which is located at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, was created in 2004 to give recognition to the foot soldiers of justice who sacrificed and struggled to make equality a reality for all. The display has become one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city of Atlanta and has enriched the heritage of the civil rights movement. The shoes used to create the footprints will also be on display during the unveiling program.
Other honorees at the Walk of Fame include former U.S. Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton; civil rights era heroes Rev. Ralph David Abernathy Sr., Medgar Evers, Justice Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks and GA State Rep. Tyrone Brooks; business leaders and philanthropists Arthur Blank, Roberto Goizueta, Jesse Hill Jr., Herman Russell Sr. and Ted Turner; sports and entertainment legends Hank Aaron, Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., Lena Horne, Magic Johnson, Joe Louis, Sidney Poitier and Stevie Wonder; and modern-day icons Dr. Maya Angelou, Julian Bond, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Rev. Al Sharpton, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Ambassador Andrew Young.
For more information on SR 842, click here.
Representative Calvin Smyre represents the citizens of District 135, which includes portions of Muscogee County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 1974, currently serves on the Appropriations, Higher Education, and Rules committees.
# # #