LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - Former Gov. Preston Smith is recovering from pneumonia at a Lubbock
hospital.
Smith entered University Medical Center on Monday, a friend, Otice Green, told the Lubbock
Avalanche-Journal for its online edition Thursday.
"He's improving," Green said. "He hopes to be released by the weekend."
Smith, who will turn 91 on March 8, works as a special assistant to Texas Tech University Chancellor
David R. Smith.
The two men are not related.
Preston Smith, a Democrat, served as the 38th Texas governor from 1969-73. He also served in the
Texas House of Representatives, the Texas Senate and as Texas lieutenant governor in 1962 under
Gov. John Connolly.
Smith, a longtime Lubbock resident, is known for his trademark polka-dot ties. When he ran for
lieutenant governor the first time, then-Lt. Gov. Price Daniel encouraged him to do something to be a
little different, Smith has said. He was staying at a downtown Dallas hotel and saw a sale on ties
across the street. He bought three black and white polka-dot ties for $1.
Many Texans remember Smith's participation in the "Drive Friendly" auto safety campaign.
