[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 7 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E48]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF LANEY COLLEGE PRESIDENT ODELL JOHNSON

                                 ______


                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 22, 1996

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate President Odell 
Johnson. He is retiring after 22 years of service with the Peralta 
Community College District, the last 15 years as president of Laney 
College in Oakland, CA.
  President Johnson is a long time resident of the bay area. He 
received his bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's College in Moraga and 
then moved to Fresno to receive his teaching credential. He returned to 
the bay area to receive his master's from Cal State Hayward and then 
moved back to Fresno to begin his teaching career.
  From 1958 to 1965, he was an instructor in the Fresno Unified School 
District. He then served as executive director of the Trinity Street 
Community Center for 2 years before becoming the deputy director of the 
Fresno County Economics Opportunities Commission in 1967. In 1968, 
President Johnson returned to the bay area where he became the dean of 
men at Saint Mary's College. In 1970, he was promoted to dean of 
students at St. Mary and in 1973, he moved to the College of Alemeda 
where he became the coordinator of special services and veterans 
affairs. In 1975, he became the assistant dean of instruction and in 
1979, he was promoted to dean of instruction. In 1981, he went to Laney 
College where he served as president for the last 15 years.
  President Johnson has been a member of a number of community 
organizations including the Cultural and Ethnic Affairs Guild of the 
Oakland Museum, the Oakland Public Library Association, the National 
Association of Black Psychologists, and a member of the Cultural Plan 
Steering Committee for the city of Oakland. He also served on the board 
of directors of a number of organizations including, Oak Center Towers 
Senior Citizens' Housing, Oakland Ensemble Theater, Oakland Youthworks, 
Patrons of the Arts and Humanities, West Oakland Health Center, San 
Francisco Bay Area Youth Excellence Initiative Executive Committee.
  He has won numerous awards over the years including the Outstanding 
College Administrator Award, which was presented by the Associated 
Students of the College of Alameda. He received the Urban Services 
Award for Outstanding Community Service, the Outstanding Educator Award 
and the Basketball Player of the Century, and the Basketball Hall of 
Fame honor from St. Mary's College.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring 
President Odell Johnson for his dedication and commitment to the young 
people of the community for the last 22 years. He will be sorely 
missed.

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