Congressman Chris Smith spoke at last night’s Lakewood Regular Republican Club’s monthly meeting at Eagle Ridge.

Captain Marc Siegel chaired the meeting, which was attended by Senator Bob Singer, Ocean County Committeeman Virginia “Ginnie” Haines, Committeeman Albert Akerman, Greg Staffordsmith, Hal Halvorsen, Mike Berman and local Committee District Representatives, Justin Flancbaum, Bruce Stern, Ron Benvenisti and others. Flancbaum was named head of the Election Board.

Chairman Frank Holman was not able to attend, and Eric Alpert stood in for Frank.

Smith highlighted a few of his many achievements which always address topical issues of the moment. Most recently he was among 35 House GOP members who voted in favor of an independent bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6, “insurrection.” Adding to his historical support of veterans, Congressman Smith recently introduced H.R. 7570, which would require the Secretary of Defense to reinstate any member of the armed forces to the rank and grade they held if their forcible discharge was solely because they refused the COVID-19 vaccine. It also would prevent the characterization of those dismissals as anything other than honorable and would prevent the discharged service member from being denied retirement pay and the benefits available to veterans.

The record-breaking Congressman has written more legislation than any other Congressman in his nearly 43-year career, many relevant to current affairs, notably relevant to today is the International Megan’s Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking (H.R. 4573; 113th Congress), which would require the notification of foreign governments when an American registered as a sex offender of children travels to their country.

Smith talked about some of his bills that are also especially relevant to current issues, including anti-Semitism, money for autism research, a measure reauthorizing the scope of the anti-trafficking law that Smith authored in 2000. He spoke about other hot topics like CRT in Kindergarten, increases in Child Trafficking and his long-standing support and advocacy of the Lakewood community.

Chairman Frank Holman couldn’t make it, so Eric Alpert spoke on his behalf. Justin Flancbaum was appointed head of the Election Board. Committeeman Akerman thanked Chris for his long-standing special attention to Lakewood throughout the years. A bit of a buzz was about how much houses are now worth (and the coming taxes associated with that). Ginnie Haines gave out reusable shopping bags with Mastronardy for Sheriff (Mike missed this meeting due to other commitments), Haines & Kelly for Commissioner, Vote Column B and the slogan “Integrity, Strength. Results” printed on them. Mike Berman led the Pledge of Allegiance and a nice prayer introduction. Gilmore was hardly mentioned.

Ron Benvenisti.