Influential House Speaker Richard Smith: Praise from both parties after his death

There was a mournful mood in the GeorgiaHouse of Representatives Tuesday morning as lawmakers mourned the sudden death of House Rules Committee Chairman Richard Smith. Smith, in his 78th year, passed away overnight after battling the flu, according to the office of Speaker John Burns' chief of staff.

Governor Brian Kemp, in a rare visit, traveled to the House chamber to praise a man he has called a friend for two decades. "When he was your friend, you knew it," Kemp said. "There were times when he stood by me when others didn't, but it didn't embarrass him, he just did what he thought was right."

Smith was born in Wrightsville and later moved to Morgan County where he played quarterback on the high school soccer team that became state champions at Morgan High School. Smith was educated at Louisiana State University and the University of Florida, and worked in service positions at both universities. Prior to his election to the House, Smith was involved in community service, including serving as interim acting city manager and city councilman in Columbus.

Burns and Smith came to the House in 2005, and Burns remembered Smith as a statesman's snark and loojal friend. "My father said he didn't say very often about someone that they were a good man, and believe me, I'm the same way," he said. "But in every sense of the word, Richard Smith was a kind, good man. He was a friend and however you describe the word, he was honest with you, sometimes told you no, but always awakened in you a desire to be a better person and do more for your neighbors."

Smith had plenty of opportunities to rebuff people in his capacity as chairman of the powerful Rules Committee, which determines what legislation will have a chance to pass the House for a vote. But Smith has never been vindictive and has always sought to serve the state, said Rep. Vance Smith, a Republican from Pine Mountain, north of Columbus. "We all have our own personality, and Richard had one, but you had to get past that because, oh, what a big heart he had," Vance Smith said. "He loved his community and he loved the state of Georgia. And you better come to him with a good offer, because if you don't, it's going to end up in the garbage. But that's what makes this state even better, folks."

"He spread the good news of the gospel, and sometimes he used his words to do that," Vance Smith added. "He lived it."

Former Senate Rules Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis spoke about the spiritual unity between the guardians of legislation in both chambers. Mullis said he admired Smith and that it was a sad day to see the passing of a man so important to the state. Mullis stressed the importance of Smith having a sense of humor and poise as chairman of the Rules Committee. "When it comes to rules, this is the highest level of your law and everyone is on pins and needles, and I always thought it was better to be funny and make sure everyone felt at ease," Mullis said. "I thought the floor belonged to no one but good law."

Rep. Debbie Buckner, a Democrat from Junction City east of Columbus, said Smith will be remembered for his principled treatment of his constituents during a long career in which he served as village agent, city manager, city councilman and lawmaker. A screen in the House chamber is dedicated to the memory of Rep. Richard Smith. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder. "He was my parents' city councilor. He was my parents' state representative," Buckner said.

Perhaps no Georgia legislator knew Smith as well as Republican Sen. Randy Robertson of Catahoula. They were both members of the First Crusade to Columbus Baptist Church, and Smith was a witness at Robertson's wedding. Robertson credits Smith's leadership in creating a strong bond between local legislators regardless of party affiliation. Robertson said Smith embodied family values and the art of sarcastic communication. Smith was also grouchy, leading Robertson to joke that if Smith was in a good mood two days in a row, he would need to be rushed to the hospital. "He had this beautiful paternal scandal that made me love him as much as anybody else on this planet," Robertson said on Senate floor Tuesday. "Everyone says that the world gets a little darker and that there is an emptiness when people who care about them leave. My mentor is gone, but I know he's watching me."

Sen. Ed Harbison of Columbus said Smith's contributions to Georgia will be sorely missed. Harbison said people should never have doubted their regard for Smith. "Mr. Smith was a true gentleman. He was a true statesman. He was an integral part of our local legislative delegation," Harbison said. "We're just going to try to follow in his footsteps, try to follow the wonderful path that he took in his life," Harbison said. "We all knew that when we go before the Rules Committee, you have to be right or get out. Richard was committed to serious business and didn't let bad bills pass out of his committee."

Smith became the third chairman of the House Rules Committee in recent years. Rep. John Meadows died in 2018, and Rep. Jay Powell the following year. Smith's successor as Rules Committee chairman has not yet been named. Vice Chair Mandy Ballinger, a Republican from Canton, chaired the committee during his illness.

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