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Congressional Daily Record
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April 28, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextMr. SHEEHY. Mr. President, it is my honor to recognize Norma Ashby Smith for her contributions to the city of Great Falls and the State of Montana over her decades-long career in local news.
her path in journalism as editor for The Nugget, Helena High School's student newspaper. In this role, Norma landed her first big interview of Western actors Susan Cabot and Audie Murphy, who were visiting Montana for a film premiere.
of Journalism, spending her summers covering local news in her hometown for Helena's Independent Record. She went on to secure a photo editor position with LIFE magazine in New York City, spending 4 years there.
that would define her career and make her a familiar figure in homes across central Montana: hostess of KRTV's “Today in Montana” show. For nearly three decades, Norma delivered timely, local news to Montanans, interviewing more than 26,000 guests, including First Lady of the United States Pat Nixon and Johnny Cash. Norma also produced nearly two dozen television documentaries.
Broadcaster of the Year and Great Falls' Most Influential Woman, and was the first living woman inducted into the Montana Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She has also made enduring contributions outside of her journalism career, cohosting the Montana Children's Miracle Network Telethon, serving on the board of the Greater Montana Foundation, and playing an instrumental role in founding the C.M. Russell Art Auction, which recently marked its 56th year.
Community Foundation will continue Norma's commitment to the arts and history through its support of the C.M. Russell Museum, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and the History Museum in Great Falls.
May Norma continue her extraordinary impact in her 91st year.