My son, James Morrison, chose to write a report on Mayor Garrett Smith for one of his 8th-grade projects. James told his teacher that Mayor Smith was the first African-American to hold that prestigious office and his teacher wanted to know more.

After contacting the mayor's office, James received the biographical information to prepare his report. James. teacher was also impressed with the mayor.s credentials, but more importantly with James. personal experiences with Mayor Smith. James earned an A for his report.

The paths of Mayor Smith and James crossed in 1999 when James' father died of cancer. James was 8 at that time. The trauma of his father's death put James in an emotional and psychological spiral. I remember his father told me to keep James in sports as an outlet for his grief and to this day I continue to follow that course of wisdom. At that time, I enrolled James in the Roselle Recreational Organization youth basketball program, where James first met Coach Garrett Smith.

On April 8, 2005 James' received 2nd prize at the 8th Grade Science Project and Honor Roll status at the 2nd quarter of 2005 marking period. He has placed 2nd and 3rd in 2004 chess tournaments in Jersey City and enjoys in-line skating as well as RC car racing.

With pride I am most pleased to share with you James' personal experience with the former Coach Garrett and now The Honorable Mayor Garrett Smith. Mayor Smith's efforts to raise the standards of Roselle's education and youth programs demonstrates his handson approach to community involvement and commitment to Roselle's youth.

Thank you.
Diana Morrison
Roselle Resident

The following is an excerpt from the report on Mayor Smith written by James Morrison, age 14.

Garrett Smith was one of the guest speakers at the Roselle Pop Warner Football awards banquet held on Sunday, February 13, 2005. Since I play on the Midget Team, I was interested in his speech in which he emphasized two paths to success. The first is to listen to our parents and the second is to get a good education by listening to our teachers. He also encouraged us to work for success and not just dream of success.

My dreams for success start with attending Florida State University and playing on The Seminoles Football team. I am interested in knowing what inspired Mr. Smith to enter the political field because his speech motivated me and my teammates to accomplish our goals in life.

When I was 9 years old, I met Mr. Smith when he was coaching the Roselle Basketball program and I noticed that he was interested in the community by the way he coached the team and was involved in the community.s recreational projects.

I am proud of Mayor Smith.s accomplishments because his career proves that hard work can make dreams come true, and his success shows integrity to his career and commitment to the Roselle community where we both live.