Latest news with #Smyre
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Morehouse School of Medicine names building after former State Rep. Calvin Smyre
The longest-serving member of the Georgia House of Representatives has received a new honor for his decades of service. On Thursday, Morehouse School of Medicine dedicated a new building to former State Rep. Calvin Smyre, who has supported the institution since it started. Channel 2′s Karyn Greer was there as Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens cut the ribbon for the dedication of the Calvin Smyre Education Conference Center. 'Having a building that houses our future generation of doctors named after you is a wild moment,' Smyre said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Smyre was 26 in 1974 when he was first elected to the Georgia State House where he served for 48 years before stepping down in 2023 at the age of 74. Now decades later, Smyre's contributions to the state is literally being etched in stone. 'To be involved in this process and to have been involved with the Morehouse School of Medicine since 1975, and it's 2025, that's 50 years. And to see these young students, you know, it just brings joy to you,' he said. Gov. Kemp said he's proud to have closely worked with Smyre for so many years. 'Calvin Smyre is just a great American, a great Georgian, great member of the House of Representatives and somebody that I've worked very closely with,' the governor said. 'And I think you saw that, saw the affection he had for our past governors and how closely he worked with them and appreciated them.' TRENDING STORIES: Young Thug's attorney says rapper didn't violate his probation over social media repost Dow drops nearly 1,680 in biggest wipeout since 2020 as fears of fallout from tariffs shake markets 'Speedy Gonzalez' arrested in string of Walmart thefts First Lady Marty Kemp says she has a special relationship with Smyre, who served in the State House with her father, Bob Argo. 'When Brian did his first day at the state, they let me sit in dad's seat, and I turned around, and [Smyre] was like, 'That's Mr. Bob's seat.' And it just meant so much,' she said. Building the Calvin Smyre Education Conference Center took three years and $14.5 million. Morehouse School of Medicine President Dr. Valerie Montgomery-Rice says she proud of the work that went into it, and to get to recognize Smyre. 'This is a special day, this is a three-year dream come true. And it is the culmination of really acknowledging the work of someone who's been our champion,' Dr. Montgomery-Rice said. Smyre is still a board member emeritus at the school and continues to tout the work they've done to legislators and community leaders. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Black History Month: New portrait of Rep. Calvin Smyre unveiled at Georgia State Capitol
Just a few feet from the doors of the Georgia House chamber, the well-deserved portrait of longtime Columbus Rep. Calvin Smyre is displayed in a place of honor. His is only the seventh portrait of an African American to ever be displayed inside the capitol. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Fifty years after he first entered the House, Democrats, Republicans, friends and family all gathered to honor Smyre, who is the longest serving legislator in Georgia history. 'I'm deeply humbled,' he said. Columbus sent Smyre to the Capitol back in 1974 where he quickly caught the eye of longtime House Speaker Tom Murphy, who took him under his wing. His portrait now hangs near Murphy's. Smyre became the first Black floor leader in state history in 1986 and served as the floor leader for Gov. Zell Miller and Gov. Roy Barnes. Miller died in 2018, but Barnes attended the ceremony to honor his friend. 'There is no other person that deserves this honor anymore than Calvin Smyre,' he said. MORE BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Black History Month explained: Its origins, celebrations Atlanta center works to build Black businesses, inspire entrepreneurs WSB celebrates our trailblazers during Black History Month Atlanta rapper Ludacris shares latest effort to give back to next generation with new music program Over the decades, Smyre built a reputation as a bridge builder who was able to bring Democrats and Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives to the table. As evidence, Republicans came to the House Chamber to honor Smyre and show their appreciation. 'For over 20 years now, I've had the great pleasure alongside this champion of policies that have been and still are working that are critical to build a brighter future for every citizen of our great state,' Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns said. In his trademark humble style, Smyre thanked everyone else for his successes during his nearly 50 years in office with a parade he often tells. 'If you ever see a turtle sitting on a fencepost, you know that he or she didn't get there by themselves. Somebody helped put them there,' he said. Smyre stepped down from his seat in 2022. He held leadership positions in the Democratic Party at the local, state and national level. Outside the legislature, he worked at Synovus as executive vice president of corporate external affairs and the headed the company's foundation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Portrait of retired state Rep. Calvin Smyre of Columbus now hangs in the Georgia Capitol
Retired state Rep. Calvin Smyre of Columbus made history as the longest-serving member of the Georgia House of Representatives, and now his likeness will grace the state Capitol for years to come. Lawmakers unveiled his official portrait Tuesday. There are 233 portraits, sculptures and other memorials celebrating notable Georgians at the Capitol, but Smyre is the first from Columbus and only the seventh African American with such a distinction. 'I am grateful beyond words to see this happen in my lifetime,' Smyre said after his former colleagues spent more than an hour sharing praise and humorous and endearing stories about him on the floor of the House. Moments later, he helped pull the cover off the portrait, which hangs next to a passage to the chamber. Columbus artist Steven Tette painted his portrait using several photographs. The painting depicts Smyre seated in a dark suit, his hands clasped in front of him, a slight smile crossing his face. The crowd was pleased. Smyre was 26 in 1974 when he was elected as a Democrat to the Georgia House. He served 48 years until 2022, stepping down at age 74. He'd planned to serve 50 years, but President Joe Biden had nominated him as U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic. But he would not take that post. The U.S. Senate never confirmed his nomination, nor did it confirm him when the Biden administration switched the posting to the Bahamas. Biden's State Department named him in 2023 to serve as the U.S. representative to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Smyre also was tapped to join Biden's Intelligence Advisory Board. Smyre rose to prominence in the Georgia House, helming the powerful Rules Committee before Republicans took control of the chamber in 2004. He also chaired the House Democratic Caucus. His colleagues gave him a reverential nickname, calling him 'Dean Smyre.' He played a key role in high-profile legislation, such as making the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a state holiday, replacing the 1950s-era state flag and its Confederate battle symbol, passing a hate crimes law, and repealing Georgia's 19th-century citizens arrest law after the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. That last, Smyre said, was a personal request by Arbery's mother. Smyre also was active in national Democratic politics, co-chairing Bill Clinton's Georgia presidential campaigns in 1992 and 1996 and serving as a deputy of the 2000 Al Gore campaign. Despite his partisan loyalties, colleagues from both sides of the political aisle praised Smyre as a bridge builder. 'I believe Calvin puts people in two groups: friends and future friends,' said Rep. Butch Parrish, R-Swainsboro, the chairman of the Rules Committee. House Speaker Jon Burns, a Republican from Newington, called Smyre a mentor. Among the high-ranking political figures who came to pay their respects were former Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, who spoke as former Gov. Sonny Perdue, a Republican (and now the University System of Georgia chancellor) watched from the House floor. A friend of Joe Frank Harris, another former Democratic governor, read a letter that was signed, 'with deep love.'
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State of Georgia honors former Columbus lawmaker Calvin Smyre with portrait in Capitol
ATLANTA, Ga. () — A retired Columbus lawmaker is received a high honor from his former Colleagues on Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta. That service was honored when Smyre's portrait was placed on a third-floor wall just outside the House chamber. Smyre was elected to the Georgia House in 1974 and over the next five decades his influence and power as a lawmaker grew. Smyre, a Columbus Democrat, was in numerous House leadership positions when the Democrats controlled state government. Two decades ago, when Republicans gained control of Georgia government, Smyre had considerable clout for his ability to work across party line. The portrait was painted by Columbus artist Steven Tette. We caught up with him inside the Capitol. 'As an artist, what we want most is for our works to be seen and to be placed next to paintings that are 100 years old, 150 years old,' said Tette. 'And know that this is an honor that happens every few decades, not every year means the world not only to me as a painter, but to my artistic career.' A portrait of former state Representative Calvin Smyre was unveiled under the Gold Dome this afternoon. Smyre served 48 years in those halls, and he's been out of the General Assembly for the last two years. Smyre becomes just the seventh African American to have an official portrait hanging here in the state Capitol. The first was Martin Luther King Jr., back in 1974 – the same year Smyre was elected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
