Joseph F. Smith | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Joseph F. Smith at a Philadelphia Democratic City Committee fundraiser in November 1984. | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's3rd district | |
| In office July 21, 1981 – January 3, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond Lederer |
| Succeeded by | Robert Borski |
| Chair of thePhiladelphia Democratic City Committee | |
| In office April 14, 1983[1] – June 16, 1986[2] | |
| Preceded by | Edgar Campbell (acting)[a] |
| Succeeded by | Bob Brady |
| Member of thePennsylvania State Senate from the4th district | |
| In office January 5, 1971 – July 21, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph J. Scanlon |
| Succeeded by | Joe Rocks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 24, 1920 |
| Died | May 14, 1999(1999-05-14) (aged 79) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| a.^ Smith successfully ran for the post against Campbell, who had been serving as the city party's acting chair since the resignation ofDavid Glancey, effective March 10, 1983.[3] | |
Joseph Francis Smith (January 24, 1920 – May 14, 1999), was an American politician fromPennsylvania who served as aDemocratic member of theUnited States House of Representatives forPennsylvania's 3rd congressional district from 1981 to 1983. He served as Chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee from 1983 to 1986 and as a member of thePennsylvania State Senate for the4th district from 1971 to 1981.
Smith was born inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania and attended St. Anne's Parochial School. He graduated fromNortheast Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1939. He attendedSt. Joseph's College in Philadelphia from 1940 to 1942. Smith was asergeant andPurple Heart recipient in theUnited States Army duringWorld War II from 1942 to 1945.[4]
After leaving the military, Smith became active in local politics, serving first as Ward Chair forJames A. Byrne between 1965 and 1970. He became Byrne'sAdministrative Assistant during that time. He then served in thePennsylvania State Senate from 1971 until 1981,[5] and eventually became Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.
He won election in 1981 as a Democrat to the97th Congress through a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States RepresentativeRaymond Lederer due to theABSCAM sting.[6] Smith lost the Democratic primary in the special election to David B. Glancey, but then ran as aRepublican, with the blessing of the GOP, in the general election and won. He promised during his campaign that he would caucus with the Democrats if elected.[6]
After redistricting in 1982, Smith narrowly lost the Democratic primary against fellow congressmanTom Foglietta. He went on to become Democratic City Chairman in Philadelphia between 1983 and 1986. Smith also served as the 31st Ward Leader for more than three decades.[clarification needed]
In honor of Smith's years of service to his community, theUnited States Postal Service facility located at 1602 Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia ("Kensington Station") was renamed as theJoseph F. Smith Post Office Building.[7]
He was married to Regina Bukowski-Smith, also of the Port Richmond section in Philadelphia. They had one daughter, Regina.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 3rd congressional district 1981–1983 | Succeeded by |
| Pennsylvania State Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Member of thePennsylvania Senate for the4th District 1971–1980 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Edgar Campbell(acting) | Chairman of thePhiladelphia Democratic Party 1983–1986 | Succeeded by |
