U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) presented a long-overdue Bronze Medal to Richard A. Walker, Jr. of Neptune City, nearly 45 years after he was supposed to get it for combat action in Vietnam. Mr. Walker accepted the medal before family and friends and reporters from The Star Ledger, the Asbury Park Press and Fios 1 TV. Smith additionally presented Mr. Walker with: the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal & Bronze Star ... Read more

BY DAN RADEL APP STAFF WRITER - When he returned from the Vietnam War in 1970, Richard A. Walker, Jr. did not want to receive his Bronze Star. “In the ’60s and ’70s being a military person you got spit on, called baby killers. It was better to be obscure than chastised,” said Walker, 66, of Neptune City. “And I never liked the way we ended it there by just walking out,” he added Born in Point Pleasant, his family moved to Wall Township where he dropped out of high school and volunteered to go to... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) joined the Middletown Veterans Affairs Committee and local officials Wednesday to inspect one of the first street signs installed to pay tribute to fallen veterans. Nearly 30 signs will be added to township streets that honor our fallen men and women in uniform serving from World War II to present. The commemorative sign includes the soldier’s full name, an American flag, branch of service, campaign served and a gold star in honor of their mother. (A gold star sig... Read more

Continued street protests by tens of thousands of Burkina Faso citizens and the subsequent burning of government building and looting led President Blaise Campaore to dissolve the country’s government. However, his effort to seek a negotiated settlement of the crisis failed, and he resigned and left the country. Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, is urging the military junta that has assumed ... Read more

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) issued a warm welcome to former U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, released last night after an imprisonment in Mexico that lasted for 214 days. “Sgt. Tahmooressi has served his country faithfully and fought for the freedom of others, but he was wrongly held in Mexico,” said Smith, who participated at a hearing on Capitol Hill Oct. 1 entitled Sergeant Andrew Tahmooressi: Our Marine in Mexican Custody. “I am glad he is home with his family. And while I welcome his ... Read more

Applications for the popular Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) offered by the federal government will be accepted beginning Monday, Nov. 3 and ending Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. "This is an important FEMA grant that can help protect firefighters in harm’s way and help them do their job protecting lives, homes and businesses in our communities,” said Smith, a long-time member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “Every fire department should take a hard look at this gr... Read more

On the two year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy’s landfall in New Jersey, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who represents some of the hardest hit towns at the shore, toured several areas slammed by Superstorm Sandy to assess recovery efforts. “Two years ago today, New Jersey rallied to help those in need after Superstorm Sandy unleashed devastation on our home state,” said Smith, who toured every town in his district and beyond within hours after the Superstorm hit New Jersey. “The damage to the... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith visited workers at the UPS facility on Hope Road in Tinton Falls NJ this week to mark employee safety achievements. UPS liaison Sean Pender and UPS Preload Manager Tracey Celmer conducted the tour of the Tinton Falls facility's preload operations. Smith observed plant operations areas for unload, sorting, and belt-to-car loading. Plant officials also reviewed UPS dispatch process, including ORION and DIAD. He met and spoke to various UPS both management and hourly employ... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees global human rights, and author of the landmark law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA, Public Law 106-386), today marked the 14th anniversary of the law that has challenged modern day slavery in the U.S. and around the world and is rescuing women and children from the hideous crime of human trafficking. Smith, co-chair and co-founder of the House Human Trafficking Caucus and Chairman of ... Read more

BY MIKE DAVIS, TIMES OF TRENTON STAFF WRITER - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun studying causes and impact of flooding at the Assunpink Creek, officials announced on Friday. The $500,000 study is expected to take two years to complete and will include the eight-mile section of the creek that stretches from Mercer Lake in Mercer County Park through Trenton to the Delaware River, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) announced in a news release. If a feasible flooding solution is identifie... Read more