[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JOHNNIE THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2002

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Johnnie 
Thompson of South Carolina, a decorated combat veteran of the Korean 
War who, after retiring from the Army, served for twenty-two years as 
an elected official on the City Council of Walterboro, South Carolina.
  Over the years he has maintained a commitment to veterans of the 
armed forces. In 1989, he co-chaired a committee that established a 
Colleton County Veterans Monument to honor all of Colleton County's 
fallen veterans from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the 
Vietnam War.
  In 1993 he was instrumental in bringing back the renowned Tuskegee 
Airmen who trained for combat in Walterboro, South Carolina, and the 
Governor awarded the Order of the Palmetto to each of the Tuskegee 
Airmen who attended. These events brought worldwide attention to 
Walterboro and to the State of South Carolina. Under Mr. Thompson's 
leadership a World War II Memorial Park was dedicated and the Tuskegee 
Airmen Monument was unveiled at the Walterboro Airport in 1997.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me today in honoring 
Johnnie Thompson for the outstanding service he has provided the U.S. 
Army, the state of South Carolina, and his beloved Walterboro 
Community. I sincerely thank Mr. Thompson for his contributions and 
wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.