[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H2812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HOWARD JOHNSON, II, OF 
                            MOBILE, ALABAMA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bishop of Utah). Under a previous order 
of the House, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bonner) is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday, Mobile, and indeed all of 
Alabama will say goodbye to our first casualty in the war on Iraq. 
While many Americans will be busy running weekend errands, shopping at 
the local mall, or spending time with their children at a T-ball game, 
I will, instead, be attending what will be a much more somber occasion, 
the funeral services for Private First Class Howard Johnson, II. 
Private Johnson was killed in combat while bravely serving and 
protecting this great Nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, recently I visited with Howard's parents, the Reverend 
and Mrs. Howard Johnson, at their home in Mobile. Like every other 
parent would do in similar circumstances, the Johnsons grieve over the 
loss of their wonderful son. They told me what a fine young man Howard 
was, how he was always thinking of other people, and how he had a 
special concern especially for the older people who were in his 
father's church.
  They said Howard loved life, and he was blessed with many wonderful 
friends. In the living room of their home, I had a chance to view 
several photographs of Howard, first as a little boy, then as a 
teenager, and more recently as a young man. Always, always, there was a 
big smile on his face. Howard Johnson, II, had a contagious smile and 
an optimistic spirit that looked to the future with hope and 
anticipation.
  In uniform and in service to our country, Private Johnson exhibited 
courage, selfless service, and honor as a member of the United States 
Army and its 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company. Tragically, Private 
Johnson's supply convoy was ambushed in the early days of the campaign 
in the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.
  Although stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Private Johnson 
resided in Mobile, Alabama with his family. He was a 2001 graduate of 
LeFlore High School and a member of the ROTC. Upon graduation from high 
school, Howard joined the Army and served as an automated logistical 
specialist after graduating from basic training at Fort Jackson, South 
Carolina in August of 2001.
  On Wednesday of this week, more than 1,500 friends, former 
classmates, teachers and members of Howard's extended family attended a 
memorial service at the LeFlore High School gymnasium. Howard Johnson, 
II, will be remembered for many fine qualities, not the least of which 
is the fact that today he is also known as and wears the title 
``hero.''
  As you might imagine, I was deeply saddened to receive the word of 
Private Johnson's death. While it is always hard to understand why we 
must lose any of our young people, especially those serving and 
protecting our Nation in our Armed Forces, I believe it is accurate to 
say Private Johnson's family takes great comfort from the fact that 
Howard was ably performing his duty in an honorable manner that 
reflects the rich tradition of our military.
  Even during this sad time, his parents, family and friends are 
rightly proud of his many accomplishments and that he voluntarily 
committed himself to preserving the freedoms that we sometimes take for 
granted and that we enjoy here in the United States and to spreading 
those freedoms to the victims of an oppressive regime halfway around 
the world.
  Mr. Speaker, Howard's family is fortunate that they can rely on a 
rock-solid faith and a loving God to provide personal strength and 
comfort during these difficult days. Reverend Johnson, Howard's father, 
is pastor of the Truevine Missionary Baptist Church in Mobile where 
Howard played drums and was active in Sunday school in the children's 
ministry. Right before Howard was prepared to ship off to Kuwait, he 
reassured his father that ``I'm ready, and I know what I'm facing, and 
I just believe that God is going to do it for me.''
  Mr. Speaker, Howard Johnson's willingness to pay what has become the 
ultimate sacrifice has contributed immeasurably to the freedom and 
security of this Nation, to Iraq, and the world.
  The 507th's ``One team, one fight'' motto also embodies this 
worldwide mission that our servicemen and women have undertaken. May 
the prayers of a grateful Nation bring some comfort to the Johnson 
family and to all other families who have lost loved ones during this 
war, and may God continue to bless America, the greatest country on the 
face of the Earth.

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