[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E91-E92]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MURIEL JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 3, 2004

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a woman with a long 
and impressive list of contributions to the County of Sacramento. To 
say that Muriel Johnson is an important and treasured member of our 
community would only begin to skim the surface of the extraordinary 
service that she has given our communities over her 41 years as a 
Sacramento resident. Muriel, who is currently in the last year of a 
successful 12-year stint as a Sacramento County Supervisor, has 
deservedly been acknowledged by the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of 
Commerce as the recipient of the 2003 Sacramentan of the Year Award. As 
her friends, family, and colleagues gather to celebrate Muriel's 
illustrious career, I ask all my colleagues to join me in saluting one 
of the Capital Region's most accomplished and widely respected leaders.
  Muriel Johnson grew up in Nebraska and earned a bachelor of music 
degree from the University of Nebraska. Before beginning her formal 
career in public service, Muriel contributed to the betterment of her 
community by serving as a high school English and music teacher. In 
addition, Muriel also taught ``Management by Objectives'' during her 
teaching career.
  Even before she was elected to the Sacramento Board of Supervisors, 
Muriel was an active and instrumental member of the local volunteer 
community. Muriel played a vital role in raising more than $10 million 
dollars for a number of community service projects, the arts, and local 
charity. Muriel served as President of the Crocker Art Museum Board, 
the

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Sacramento Junior League, the Sacramento/El Dorado Medical Association 
Alliance, the History Museum, and the Sacramento Symphony League. She 
also chaired the Advisory Board for California State Historic Park, and 
was a Mayor's appointee on the Downtown District Study. Muriel's close 
involvement with the diversity of community organizations is a 
testament to her unyielding commitment to bring about positive changes 
to her community and improve the quality of life of her fellow 
citizens.
  In 1992, Muriel Johnson was first elected to the Sacramento County 
Board of Supervisors. Muriel represents approximately 250,000 people 
living in the County's Third District. The Third District includes the 
communities of Arden/Arcade, Carmichael, Campus Commons, East 
Sacramento, College Glen, College Greens, East foothills Farms and a 
portion of North Highlands. During her tenure, Muriel has served as the 
Chair of the Board of Supervisors in 1995 and 1999.
  In addition to her duties as County Supervisor, Muriel has also 
served admirably as the Chair, President and Board Member of the 
following organizations since first being elected as supervisor: 
Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Sacramento Public Library 
Authority, California State Association of Counties, Sacramento Area 
Flood Control Agency, Cable Commission, Sacramento Regional Sanitation 
District, Sacramento Regional Transit, Sacramento Air Quality 
Management District, and California's Elected Women's Association of 
Education and Research.
  In recognition of her dedication to public service, Muriel is the 
rightful recipient of a number of community service awards including: 
the California Medical Association Alliance 1999 Member of the Year, 
the National Philanthropy Day Award for Outstanding Volunteer 
Fundraiser, the first E.A. Combatalade Community Service Award, 
Soroptimist Woman of the Year, the 1993 Business Volunteers for the 
Arts Award for Individual Service, the Women's Transportation Seminar 
2002 Woman of the Year Award, the 2003 Shots for Tots Immunization 
Registry, and the 2003 American Society for Public Administration's 
Excellence in Public Arts Award.
  Throughout her term as County Supervisor, Muriel Johnson has remained 
a steadfast supporter of neighborhood preservation, more efficient 
transportation, better air quality, health and welfare issues, sound 
economic development, better schools for our children and flood 
control. There is no doubt that every one of Muriel's constituents has 
benefited in one way or another as a result of her hard work, 
dedication, and vision.
  Mr. Speaker, as Muriel's friends, family, and colleagues gather to 
celebrate her great career and acknowledgement as Sacramentan of the 
Year, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most respected 
leaders. Muriel's continuous leadership is a true testament to public 
service. Although her career in public service may soon be over, her 
involvement in community service is, fortunate for us, far from over. I 
ask all of my colleagues to join with me in wishing Muriel Johnson 
continued success in all her future endeavors.

                          ____________________