Robert Freeman Smith

Robert Freeman Smith (born June 16, 1931) is an American politician who represented Oregon in the United States House of Representatives for over a decade.

Robert Freeman Smith
Chair of the House Agriculture Committee
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 1999
Preceded by	Pat Roberts
Succeeded by	Larry Combest
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 2nd district
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 1999
Preceded by	Wes Cooley
Succeeded by	Greg Walden
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	Denny Smith
Succeeded by	Wes Cooley
52nd Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office 1969–1973
Preceded by	F. F. Montgomery
Succeeded by	Richard O. Eymann
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 26th district
In office 1961–1973
Preceded by	Clinton P. Haight, Jr.
Succeeded by	Denny Jones
Personal details
Born	(1931-06-16) June 16, 1931 Portland, Oregon
Political party	Republican

Early life

Smith grew up in Burns, Oregon. He attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, graduating in 1953 with an agricultural degree. He worked as a rancher until his election to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1960.

Career

Smith with George H. W. Bush in 1988

He served in the state House until he retired in 1972 to return to his ranch, and was Speaker of the House for the 1969 and 1971 sessions.[1] Between 1965 and 1969, Smith was the president of the Oregon Public Land Commission.

Smith, a Republican, was a United States Congressman from Oregon's 2nd congressional district from 1983 to 1995. After a brief retirement, he returned to Congress in 1997. Wes Cooley, the Republican who had succeeded Smith in the House, had been caught in several lies about his military service and Smith was persuaded to come out of retirement.[2] The Republicans promised him the chairmanship of the House Agriculture Committee if he won. He won easily and was duly appointed Chairman, but only served one term before retiring for good.

Later life

On February 8, 2016, Smith struck and killed a pedestrian while driving in Medford, Oregon. The pedestrian was in the crosswalk when Smith hit him with his car and he later died at the scene. Smith did not flee the scene, was cooperative with investigators, and was determined to not be under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the accident.[3][4]

References

1. Oregon Blue Book: Earliest Authorities in Oregon - Speakers of the House of Representatives of Oregon. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on June 9, 2008.
2. Fattig, Paul (March 1998). "Former congressman, felon Cooley may run for office again". Mail Tribune News.
3. Jaquiss, Nigel (February 9, 2016). "Former Oregon Congressman Bob Smith Fatally Injured a Pedestrian". Willamette Week. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
4. "Former U.S. Rep. Bob Smith kills pedestrian in Medford". The Oregonian. February 9, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2019.

External links

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Denny Smith	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 2nd congressional district 1983–1995	Succeeded by Wes Cooley
Preceded by Wes Cooley	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 2nd congressional district 1997–1999	Succeeded by Greg Walden
Political offices
Preceded by Pat Roberts Kansas	Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee 1997–1999	Succeeded by Larry Combest Texas