[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 82 (Monday, June 26, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1112-E1113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. ALBERT LEE JOHNSON, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2000

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to my 
friend and nationally respected clergyman, Rev. Dr. Albert Lee (A.L.) 
Johnson, Sr. Reverend Johnson passed away after an extended illness. 
His is a loss felt by his family and congregation, the greater Kansas 
City community, and most certainly our nation.
  Reverend Johnson was a community activist and civil rights advocate 
throughout his life. He fought for the common person and his influence 
was far reaching both inside and outside the Christian church 
community. Justice and equality for all fell within the realm of his 
spiritual responsibilities as well as his public and moral 
responsibilities. He traveled to numerous and varied places in the 
world and touched the lives of individuals in a remarkable way. Rev. 
Johnson, as President of the local Council for United Action, was on 
the front line in the battle against racial and social injustice. 
Although small in stature, he was a giant of a man whose actions led to 
positive social change. His leadership made a difference in fair 
employment, housing, and public accommodations. Justice and equality 
for all fell within the realm of his spiritual responsibilities as well 
as his public and moral responsibilities. He traveled to numerous and 
varied places in the world and touched the lives of individuals in a 
remarkable way.
  His actions inspired greatness in those who serve the public. He was 
instrumental in the election of the first black mayor of Kansas City, 
the first black U.S. Congressman from the Fifth Congressional District 
of Missouri, and for me being the first woman to serve the Fifth 
Congressional District in the U.S. Congress. Rev. A.L. Johnson was a 
true friend who believed in me and counseled me. He could, in his quiet 
way, comment on an issue with just a few motivating words which 
resonated in my soul and encourage and inspire me to continue the tough 
fight for the people of the Fifth Congressional District and this great 
nation.
  His family and congregation allowed him to follow his second calling, 
that of a public servant. Although holding no elected or appointed

[[Page E1113]]

office, he served our community with distinction on various boards, 
commissions, and task forces locally as well as nationally. He served 
as Chairman of the Permanent Organization Committee of the National 
Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; past Chairman of the Board of 
Operation PUSH; former national board member of the NAACP; past 
President of the Baptist Ministers Union; past President of the General 
Baptist State Convention; board member of Freedom, Inc.; and Treasurer 
of the Sunshine District Association.
  He was the Pastor of Zion Grove Baptist Church in Kansas City, 
Missouri from 1964 until his retirement in 1997. Upon retirement he 
continued to serve as Pastor Emeritus. He was a man of tremendous 
faith, vision, and character. Reverend Johnson's leadership in our 
community utilized his faith and vision to lift us all up. I ask the 
House to join me in expressing to his family our gratitude for sharing 
this great man with us, and to accept our condolence for their 
tremendous loss which we share. Mr. Speaker, please join me in 
expressing our heartfelt sympathy to his wife, Flossie, his five sons 
and five daughters, and his many relatives.

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