[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E560-E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MIKE DONOVAN JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Mike Donovan Johnson, 
the Local 522's City Vice President, for eleven years, of the 
Sacramento Area Firefighters Union. Mike is retiring after thirty-three 
years of outstanding service to the City of Sacramento Fire Department.

[[Page E561]]

As his friends and family gather to celebrate Mike's illustrious 
career, I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in saluting one of 
Sacramento's most talented citizen leaders.
  Mike was born and raised in Sacramento. He earned a Fire Science 
Certificate and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration/
Political Science. For the past three decades, Mike has worked for the 
City of Sacramento Fire Department as a Firefighter, and Apparatus 
Operator, and the last nineteen years, as a Fire Captain. In addition, 
Mike is also a highly qualified Hazardous Materials Specialist and he 
often lends his expertise as a B shift Captain at Station 21. 
Throughout his career, Mike has remained one of the most cherished and 
well-respected members of the City of Sacramento Fire Department.
  Mike began his union career as City Director in 1972. After two years 
in that post, Mike was elected City Vice President for the first time 
in 1974. In addition, Mike has performed the duties and 
responsibilities of the Political Action Committee Treasurer for the 
past twenty-two years. Mike has been an indispensable member of the 
Local 522 Executive Board for the past thirty years. All in all, Mike 
has steadfastly represented the members of the Sacramento Fire 
Department with great honor and dignity for the past three decades.
  In addition to his contributions to the Local 522, Mike has also 
offered his valuable contributions, to a number of statewide 
organizations. Mike has served on numerous statewide committees through 
California Professional Firefighters. In the past, Mike has also been a 
delegate to the Sacramento County Central Democratic Committee.
  Staying true to his unyielding commitment to represent the interests 
of firefighters, Mike is looking to remain active in the cause in his 
retirement years. Currently, Mike is a member of the California 
Firefighters Joint Apprentice Committee Board. Furthermore, Mike 
remains a delegate to the Sacramento Central Labor Council, a member of 
the Industrial Relations Association of Northern California and sits on 
the Regional Fire Task Force. In particular, Mike continues to serve 
the members of the fire service community through his support for the 
passage of Measure F, a change to the City of Sacramento Charter to 
improve the health insurance provided to its retired employees. Mike's 
commitment to serving his community is truly an example to his fellow 
citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, as Mike Johnson's friends and family gather for his 
retirement dinner, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's 
most honorable citizens. His successes are considerable, and it is a 
great honor for me to have the opportunity to pay tribute to his 
contributions. I ask all my colleagues to join with me in wishing Mike 
Johnson continued success in all his future endeavors.

                          ____________________