A 109-year-old Battleboro woman will be attending the upcoming State of the Union Address as the special guest of U.S. Rep. Don Davis, D-1st District.
Cassie Smith on Feb. 20 was visited by Davis, who is in his first term, at her residence, where he extended his invitation for her to accompany him on Capitol Hill to the yearly joint session of Congress. President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak at 9 p.m. Thursday to give his administration’s view of the condition of the nation and plans for proposed legislation.
Smith began receiving attention after news that she arrived in her family’s vehicle Feb. 15 at the polling station off South Fairview Road in Rocky Mount, on what was the first day of early voting in the political party primaries. Smith cast her ballot at the curbside.
Davis, in a phone interview Monday, said that people who were moved by Smith’s story and her dedication to go vote reached out to him to share the story.
“They were inspired,” Davis said. “I listened. I was inspired.”
Davis called Smith a “true inspiration” and a “living symbol of democracy,” and said he believed that “just her presence alone at the U.S. Capitol” will speak volumes.
“And it will help to shine the light on what democracy is about across the nation,” Davis also said.
Each member of Congress can invite one guest to the State of the Union Address. The president may invite 24 to sit in the First Lady’s box in the gallery.
Davis said Monday that when he extended the invitation to Smith to be his special guest at the State of the Union Address, she began to beam with a big smile.
“And that smile of hers just made me melt,” Davis said.
He also said that she told him, “I’m blessed. I thank God every day.”
He said that he believes she is a person driven by faith and that she teaches so many lessons here.
He said that one of those lessons is, “The importance of just looking at the greater good that we can play in society by exercising our civic duty of voting, engaging in the life of the community.”
Davis said in meeting with Smith, it came to his attention that there was something on her bucket list.
“She has never flown in an airplane,” Davis noted.
And that is one item Davis is going to be able to help Cassie Smith check off her bucket list as the Smiths will be traveling by plane to Washington, D.C.
Smith’s son, Frank Smith, said over the phone Monday that the invitation extended to his mother was a big surprise.
“I think it’s amazing and wonderful,” Frank Smith said.
More specifically, of Davis’ visit, Frank Smith said, “That showed that he cares about his constituents, his people, his district.”
Frank Smith said that he and his wife, Mildred, are also going to be going on the trip to Washington, D.C.
And, when asked, Frank Smith said, “Yes, we’re already packed, ready to go.”
N.C. Rep. Shelly Willingham, D-23rd District, said over the phone Monday that he is happy for Cassie Smith, whom he met Feb. 15 after she arrived to vote.
Willingham, whose district includes Edgecombe County, also said that he had recently been told by phone by Davis’ office that the congressman intended to invite Cassie Smith to the State of the Union Address.
“I was pleased to hear it,” Willingham said. “I think it’s a great honor — and I think it’s well deserved.”
The State of the Union Address can be viewed online Thursday night by visiting https://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2024/.
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