Biographical Statement

Samuel H. Smith was born in Punxsutawney, PA on August 10, 1955. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor's degree in advertising. Prior to being elected as a Representative in the House, he was employed in construction and sales with Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Smith was elected as a Republican to the House of Representatives for district 66, which consists of Armstrong, Clearfield, Indiana, and Jefferson Counties, in 1987 and served until 2014. During his time in the House of Representatives he was elected as the Majority Whip from 2001 to April 15, 2003; Majority Leader from April 2003 to 2006; Minority Leader from 2007 to 2010 and Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2014. He was not a candidate for reelection in 2014. Along with those positions he was also appointed to the Center of Rural Pennsylvania Commission in 1991 to 1992, Legislative Budget and Finance Committee from 1991 to 2000, Joint State Government Commission from 2001 to 2014, Pennsylvania Higher Education Facilities Authority and State Public School Building Authority from 2009 to 2010, and Legislative Data Processing Center Committee from 2011 to 2014. Smith had an interest in the environment, specifically in landfills and waste management. He had done a lot of research on these topics and also did some legislative work. He had two House Resolutions that passed: House Resolution 190 from June 9, 1997 regarding water quality from coal runoffs; and House Resolution 260 from October 28, 1997 regarding greenhouse gas emissions.

Trustee, Temple University (2015-present).

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