[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MAURICE JOHNSON

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I want to take a few minutes to recognize 
the work of a man who has been a real asset to this institution. He has 
many fans in this room, both here on the floor of the Senate and up 
there in the press gallery. His name is Maurice Johnson, Superintendent 
of the Senate Press Photographers Gallery. He is retiring this year 
after nearly 30 years.
  What a perspective--30 years of life in the Senate through a 
photographer's eye. Maurice has seen the entire range of congressional 
milestones, celebrations, inaugurations, investigations, and, of 
course, occasional legislation. He has taken part in sharing those 
events with the world, helping in many ways to ensure that the media 
coverage has run smoothly. No one has yet found a corner of the Capitol 
for which Maurice doesn't know the best angle and lighting.
  Maurice is a voice for all photographers who cover the Senate day to 
day. As liaison between the Senators and the photographers, he has been 
an effective adviser, advocate, and coordinator.
  He has been most helpful to my staff and to me over the past year and 
a half as we have adjusted to our leadership role. I thank him for his 
graciousness always under all circumstances.
  We should not forget that Maurice is an accomplished photographer 
himself. He captured history as he covered the administrations of 
Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. Many of the 
images that we have from national political campaigns and conventions 
are Maurice's work. Some assignments must have been less like work than 
others, though. Photography for him has included the Redskins games or 
the U.S. Open golf tournament. Sometimes it has been the Miss America 
pageant. It certainly seems to me he hasn't exactly always had a tough 
day at the office. It sounds like it has been fun.
  His talents have been rewarded by a steady stream of awards that have 
names like ``Best Picture of the Year'' and ``First Prize.'' He has 
been honored nationally for single photos, for his work in the Senate 
Photographers Gallery, and for the entire span of his career.
  At a recent reception in Maurice's honor, the room overflowed with 
colleagues, friends, and family members who conveyed their affection 
and high regard for him. Now, as the session draws to a close, I want 
to take the opportunity to let Maurice know how much we in the Senate 
appreciate him and his work. I am sure my colleagues join me in 
thanking him for his many years of dedication. We wish him, his wife 
Lanny, and their children, Keith and Maureen, well.
  I yield the floor, Mr. President, and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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