[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      HONORING ELMER JOHNSON FOR HIS WORK WITH COLORADO LEADERSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to honor and remember 
Elmer A. Johnson, who gave of himself throughout his life to serve his 
country and the citizens of Colorado. Elmer was a patriot, a giving 
man, and a man blessed with outstanding leadership and business skills.
  Elmer, a devoted husband and father, was married to Philomena Mancini 
for fifty years until her death. He gave his wife, his son, Robert, and 
his two granddaughters much to be proud of. His patriotism drove him to 
enlist in the Army Air Forces in 1941, where he eventually served as 
master sergeant in the China-Burmuda-India theater during World War II. 
He then began running his father-in-law's printing business and edited 
a weekly newspaper.
  Then, in 1958, he was elected for the first of three times to the 
Colorado House. He earned a distinguished reputation with those who 
knew and worked with him there, including former state Rep. Wayne Knox 
whom the The Denver Post quotes as saying, ``He was a very well-
respected, reasonable, moderate legislator'' and ``a nice guy, a very 
good guy.'' Elmer had the honor of chairing the House Finance Committee 
and served on the Joint Budget Committee as well as on the Legislative 
Council.
  His drive to serve didn't stop there, however. In 1963, he began 
working as a city official as manager of revenue and director of budget 
and management. He also served on the executive board of the Colorado 
Municipal League, and became its president in 1970. Incredibly, he also 
found time to serve on the executive board and as president of the 
Colorado Municipal League, become a board member of the Regional 
Transportation District, and become a member of the Sons of Norway. In 
addition, his leadership stretched to serving for a term as the 
international president of the Municipal Finance Officers of the United 
States and Canada.
  Mr. Speaker, Elmer Johnson was a distinguished veteran, a devoted 
father and husband, and a selfless leader. Today, I would like pay him 
tribute on behalf of Congress for his lifelong dedication to honest 
leadership and to the people of the United States.

                          ____________________