[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING RICHARD ``DICK'' JOHANSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to present the following 
Opinion-Editorial that was written by Deborah Nankivell, executive 
director of the Fresno Business Council. The Opinion-Editorial, printed 
in the Fresno Bee on December 20, 2000, reads as follows:

              Johanson's `Gift' Has Been Service to Public

       We all make decisions everyday based upon external signals 
     and usually motivated by achieving specific goals. Much of 
     life is about taking care of daily tasks and making plans for 
     the future.
       Then there are those whose path is determined from the 
     inside. Their commitment is to serving and improving the 
     lives of others. Usually these people are invisible in a 
     community. They are the ones who work tirelessly in service 
     professions, the healing arts and serving on countless 
     committees. However, in times of crisis, these people make 
     what is for them a difficult sacrifice, they assume public 
     leadership positions.
       For the past five years, such a public servant, Richard 
     Johanson, has led the Fresno Business Council. When he was 
     asked to assume this position he was bewildered. He could not 
     understand why community leaders would turn to him to lead 
     the organization. Time has made obvious what the wise among 
     us already knew.
       Fresno desperately needed to witness a new kind of leader, 
     a community steward, someone who could inspire others to 
     contribute their very highest talents to addressing a myriad 
     of community problems.


                             Special touch

       It has been often asked how Dick does what he does. How 
     does he take a table full of people who disagree and don't 
     much like each other to come to consensus in less than an 
     hour with hardly saying anything? Why have boards canceled or 
     postponed meetings upon knowing Dick could not attend because 
     they knew without him unproductive conflict would ensue. Why 
     is it that Dick is the one everybody trusts?
       I believe it is not about what he does at all; it is about 
     who he is. His presence reminds us all of the noble impulses 
     we would love to act upon, but so often choose to ignore in 
     order to satisfy the desires of the ego. Dick has been a role 
     model simply by living his life according to his inner code 
     of honor. In doing so, he has created a culture of 
     stewardship within the Business Council that has begun to 
     spread throughout the community.
       Six years ago, the lack of civility was painfully obvious 
     in the public arena. Today, those in the public affairs 
     community are learning one of the responsibilities of public 
     service is to be positive role models. Five years ago, the 
     different sectors of the community operated in internal and 
     external vacuums, often in competition with one another. 
     Today, seeking collaborative partners is becoming the norm.
       Four years ago, expecting merit-based decisions was 
     considered naive. Today, seeking the views of all the 
     stakeholders and deliberating on the merits of an issue is 
     becoming the new standard for decision-making.
       Three years ago, an expectation of excellence was seen as a 
     criticism in a community defending the status quo. Today, the 
     Center for Advanced Research and Technology, which Dick 
     chairs, is a national example of excellence and the process 
     of its creation has inspired people throughout the Valley to 
     dream new dreams fully expecting fruition.


                              Unique role

       While certainly many people have had a hand in the steady 
     transformation of the Fresno area, Dick has played a unique 
     and essential role. His ability to love, to care so deeply 
     about his community and everyone who lives here, has melted 
     the hearts and loosened the resources of everyone who is 
     needed to help create a healthier and more prosperous home 
     for us all.
       As Dick steps down as president of the Business Council and 
     passes the new leadership mantle to Ken Newby, it is the 
     appropriate time to publicly thank him for the gift of 
     himself.

  Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Richard ``Dick'' Johanson for his years 
of dedicated and distinguished service to his community. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Johanson many more years of 
continued success.

                          ____________________