[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 18, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1355]
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

                        Wednesday, July 18, 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, a true patriot, was a man 
blessed with outstanding business and leadership skills. His presence 
will surely be missed.
  Elmer was a devoted husband and father who was married to his wife, 
Philomena Mancini, for fifty years until she passed away. He gave his 
wife, his son, Robert, and his two granddaughters much to be proud of.
  In 1941, his patriotism drove him to enlist in the Army Air Forces, 
where he rose in rank to serve as master sergeant in the China-Burma-
India theater during World War II. It was following the war that he 
began running his father-in-law's printing business and editing a 
weekly newspaper.
  Then, in 1958, he was elected for the first of three times to the 
Colorado State House. He earned a distinguished reputation with those 
who knew and worked with him there, including former state Rep. Wayne 
Knox whom 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 others didn't stop there, however. In 1963, he 
began working as Manager of Revenue and Director of Budget and 
Management for the City of Denver. He also served on the Executive 
Board of the Colorado Municipal League and became president in 1970. 
Incredibly, he also found time to serve as a board member of the 
Regional Transportation District, and as 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 to pay 
him tribute on behalf of Congress for his lifelong dedication and 
honest leadership to the people of the United States.

                          ____________________