[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE TO COACH GALEN JOHNSON, JR.

                                 ______


                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 20, 1996

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I recently had the privilege to attend a 
ceremony in Blount County, TN during which Coach Galen Johnson, Jr. was 
recognized a one of the leading high school basketball coaches in the 
country.
  Coach Johnson made Porter High School a State basketball power for 
over a quarter of a century. He had a phenomenal record of success over 
the years. His overall record consisted of 735 victories, averaging 
more than 30 wins per season.
  Settling for nothing less than 100 percent from his players, Coach 
Johnson led Porter High to three State championships in 1959, 1963, and 
1967. In addition to these championships, his teams were in contention 
for several other titles as well.
  I request that a copy of the State of Tennessee House Joint 
Resolution No. 543, a resolution to congratulate Coach Galen Johnson, 
be placed in the Record at this point so that I can call it to the 
attention of my colleagues and other readers of the Record.

                Tennessee House Joint Resolution No. 543

       A Resolution to honor and congratulate Coach Galen Johnson, 
     Jr. on the Porter Elementary School gymnasium being named in 
     his honor.
       Whereas, the Tennessee General Assembly was pleased to 
     learn that one of the greatest high school coaches of all 
     time, Galen Johnson, who made Porter High School a state 
     power for a quarter of a century, will be specially 
     recognized by having the Porter Elementary School (which used 
     to be Porter High School) gymnasium named in his honor; and
       Whereas, his phenomenal record of consistent success as a 
     High School Basketball Coach from 1955 to 1979 has rarely 
     been equaled; and
       Whereas, his teams compiled an exemplary overall record of 
     735 victories and 167 losses, an enviable winning percentage 
     of .815; and
       Whereas, his teams won an average of 28 games per season 
     and won 20 or more games for 24 consecutive years, a national 
     record; and
       Whereas, his Porter High School teams won three State 
     Championships in 1959, 1963 and 1967, finished State runner-
     up twice in 1969 and 1978 and third in the State twice in 
     1964 and 1971; and
       Whereas, Coach Johnson guided teams to the State Tournament 
     an incredible 18 to 21 years; and
       Whereas, he took teams to the regional tournament 23 of 24 
     years and placed either first or second in 20 of those 23 
     years; and
       Whereas, his teams never finished lower than second place 
     in the district; and
       Whereas, Coach Johnson was chosen District Coach of the 
     Year seven times; and
       Whereas, he coached 18 All-State players, including two who 
     were later named AAU All-Americans; and
       Whereas, Coach Johnson spent 45 Years as an Active Coach, 
     including his last four as an Assistant Coach at Maryville 
     College; and
       Whereas, in 1990 Coach Johnson received the highest honor 
     that a Tennessee Coach can receive when he was named a member 
     of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame; and
       Whereas, team members, students, parents, fans, sports 
     writers and even opponents have lauded his numerous 
     significant contributions to the Porter High School athletic 
     program and to high school basketball in general, using a 
     long list of appropriate adjectives including ``great'', 
     ``mentor'', ``character builder'', ``one of a kind'', 
     ``determined'', ``expert'', ``professional'', 
     ``outstanding'', ``adept'', ``hard worker'', ``awesome'', 
     ``extraordinary'', ``role model'', ``winner'', ``one of our 
     best and brightest'', ``tremendous poise under pressure'', 
     ``dedicated'', ``diligent'', ``rare'' and ``acclaimed''; and
       Whereas, it is fitting that we pause in our deliberations 
     to honor and congratulate Coach Galen Johnson and commend him 
     for his service; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives of the ninety-
     ninth general assembly of the State of Tennessee, the Senate 
     concurring, That we honor and congratulate Coach Galen 
     Johnson on the Porter Elementary School Gymnasium being named 
     in his honor and wish him well in his future endeavors; be it 
     further
       Resolved, That an appropriate copy of this resolution be 
     prepared for presentation with this final clause from such 
     copy.

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