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LINCOLN, Neb., Jan 24, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The only woman ever elected to the U.S. House from Nebraska, Virginia Smith, has died in Arizona at the age of 94.
The Republican, who was elected to Congress in 1974, served 16 years in the House of Representatives representing Nebraska's 3rd District and specialized in agricultural issues.
Smith died Monday in Arizona, where she moved following her 1991 retirement.
While Nebraska elected or appointed women briefly to the U.S. Senate, Smith is the only female Nebraskan ever elected to the U.S. House, the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal-Star reported.
Smith was "a legend in this state," Gov. Dave Heineman said. "No one had more energy or enthusiasm."
That legend goes back to Smith's first campaign, where Democratic opponent Wayne Ziebarth asserted, "In politics, a woman's role is in the home."
Smith responded that a woman's role was "in the House."
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
