Commemorating a lifetime of public service, Sen. Ed Harbison (D–Columbus) is set to honor the late Richard H. Smith with the naming of a prominent local interchange. Scheduled for Tuesday next week, this dedication will officialize the crossover of Interstate 185 at US-27-Alternate/Manchester Expressway as the Honorable Richard H. Smith Memorial Interchange. Harbison will lead the ceremony to pay tribute to a colleague whom he deeply respected.
Born in Wrightsville in 1945, Smith had a career defined by various public service roles, including city manager and state representative. He is best known for chairing the House Insurance Committee and, in his last legislative role, leading the House Rules Committee in 2020. The dedication of the interchange in his honor keeps his memory alive in a region where residents have served in numerous capacities.
In a statement obtained by the Senate Press, Sen. Harbison discussed Smith's legacy, "I had the distinct honor of working alongside Richard Smith for many years, and his commitment to public service, unwavering integrity and profound commitment to serving this region left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. He was a dear friend and a pillar of the city of Columbus. The dedication of this interchange in his name is a tribute to his tireless work for the people of Columbus and a reminder of the high standards he set for leadership and service."
Those wishing to attend the event can be part of the unveil from 10:00 a.m. at the Cunningham Center located within Columbus State University.
