[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 74 (Friday, June 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         A TRIBUTE TO JIM AND MISTY JOHNSON OF LAVACA, ARKANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2002

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute 
to a young woman and colleague of mine, a pharmacy technician from 
Lavaca, Arkansas, along with her husband, Jim, and three-year-old 
daughter, Shea Nicole, who lost their lives in the Interstate 40 bridge 
collapse on May 26, 2002.
  Misty Johnson was only 28 when she was so tragically killed, but in 
those 28 years she brightened the lives of friends, family, even her 
customers at Rose Drug Store in Paris, Arkansas. Her coworkers say 
Misty was fun to work with, always on time, and always ready to work 
hard.
  Six years ago, she married Jim, her high school sweetheart. Their 
friends say no one can remember either of them having dated anyone but 
each other. Jim worked as a route sales representative for Wonder 
Bread, and started work at 3 am. He had to go to bed earlier than the 
rest of his family, and he made sure he kissed his daughter Shea every 
night before doing so. The two lived for their young daughter and 
always put her first in their lives. In fact, they were headed to Tulsa 
for a day at the zoo when their lives were unexpectedly taken.
  My heart goes out to Misty's and Jim's parents, Hursel and Linda 
Henson and Juanita Brown Johnson, and their families. I know this is an 
extremely difficult time for them, and for all families who lost loved 
ones on that terrible day, and I keep them in my thoughts and prayers. 
While Misty, Jim, and Shea are no longer with us, their spirit lives 
on, in the lives of all those they touched.

                          ____________________