[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          JUDITH COLT JOHNSON

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to a distinguished Marylander, committed environmentalist, and 
model citizen--Judith Colt Johnson. Judy recently stepped aside from a 
long and distinguished career as president of the Committee to Preserve 
Assateague Island. I want to extend my personal congratulations and 
thanks for her many years of hard work and dedication to the 
environment and the stewardship of Assateague Island's ecosystem.
  Judy Johnson founded the Committee to Preserve Assateague Island in 
1970, the year I was first elected to the U.S. Congress, and served as 
its president for the past 25 years. Over the years, Judy worked 
tirelessly to preserve the natural beauty and unspoiled character of 
Assateague Island. Her accomplishments are many and remarkable. Among 
other things she: Led the successful campaign to amend the organic act 
for the National Seashore to remove provisions calling for construction 
of a road the length of the island and 600 acres of development; 
developed a grass-roots membership of over 1,300 people representing 38 
states; blocked construction of a sewage outfall pipe across the 
island; sponsored an annual beach cleanup marshalling larger volunteer 
efforts each year; and convened the first-ever conference on the 
condition of Maryland's coastal bays which initiated the current 
efforts to protect these sensitive waters;
  Judy not only organized and led these efforts, but gave selflessly of 
her time and energy to make Assateague a better place for all of us. 
She has done this through activities such as cleaning trash from the 
beach and helping plant stems of beach grasses and seedlings to protect 
valuable wildlife habitat. She also contributed substantially to the 
development of the master plan for Chincoteague National Wildlife 
Refuge--now considered a model for other wildlife refuges in coastal 
areas--and actively participated in hundreds of public meetings, 
hearings and workshops on issues affecting Assateague and the 
surrounding areas. Her monthly newletters have provided invaluable 
information on potential threats to the natural habitat and ecology of 
this fragile barrier island as well as the many noteworthy events and 
special values of this area. I have had the privilege of working 
closely with Judy and her organization on a number of issues affecting 
Assateague Island and can attest that Assateague Island would not look 
as it does today had it not been for all the hard work of Judy Johnson 
over the years. Judy's indefatigable energy, spirit and determination 
are renowned.
  Mrs. Johnson's activities and interests were not limited to her 
involvement with the Committee to Preserve Assateague Island. She also 
served on numerous national and State conservation organizations 
including the Maryland Wetlands Committee, the Maryland and Virginia 
Conservation Councils, the board of the Coast Alliance, the advisory 
council to the National Parks and Conservation Association and the 
Garden Club of America. In recognition of her outstanding service and 
dedication, Judy has received numerous awards and commendations 
including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander's Award for Public 
Service, the Izaak Walton League of America Honor Roll Award, the Take 
Pride in America Award given by the U.S. Department of the Interior, 
and the National Parks and Conservation Association's Conservationist 
of the Year Award.
  The efforts of Judy Johnson over the past 25 years have earned her 
the respect and admiration of everyone with whom she has worked and the 
visitors to Assateague Island will benefit from her labors for years to 
come. I join with her many friends in extending my best wishes and 
thanks for her leadership and commitment.

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