Frank E. Smith

Frank Ellis Smith (February 21, 1918 - August 2, 1997) was a U.S. Representative from Mississippi.

Born in Sidon, Mississippi, Smith attended the public schools of Sidon and Greenwood, Mississippi.He was graduated from Sunflower Junior College, Moorhead, Mississippi, in 1936 and from the University of Mississippi in 1941.He entered the United States Army as a private on February 9, 1942. Graduate of Field Artillery officers candidate school.He served in Europe as a captain with the Two Hundred and Forty-third Field Artillery Battalion, Third Army.He was discharged to Reserves as a major of Field Artillery on February 13, 1946. Managing editor, Greenwood Morning Star in 1946 and 1947. Student at [American University, Washington] , D.C., in 1946. Legislative assistant to United States Senator John Stennis 1947-1949.He served as member of State senate 1948-1950.

Smith was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-second and to the five succeeding Congresses, and served from January 3, 1951, until his resignation November 14, 1962.He was an unsuccessful for renomination in 1962 to the Eighty-eighth Congress.

Although he signed the Southern Manifesto, condemning 'Brown v.Board of Education', he worked quietly for racial reconciliation.

He served as member of the Board of Directors, Tennessee Valley Authority, November 14, 1962, to May 18, 1972.He served as associate director, Illinois State board of higher education from 1973 to 1974. Visiting professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute from 1977 to 1979.He served as special assistant to Governor William Winter of Mississippi from 1980 to 1983.

Smith was elected life fellow, Southern Regional Council, 1984.He died in Jackson, Mississippi, August 2, 1997.

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