[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1899]]
                  HONORING CHARLES EDWARD JOHNSON, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and achievements 
of an extraordinary man, Charles ``Chuck'' Johnson of Oakland, 
California. Chuck was a prominent figure in the communications industry 
for over 40 years, and worked tirelessly in that capacity not only to 
promote equality and social justice, but to keep print and broadcast 
media affordable and accessible to all. Chuck passed away on July 27, 
2004 after succumbing to cancer, and is survived by his son, Charles 
Johnson, Jr.
  Chuck was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 21, 1938. After growing 
up in Missouri, he began his career in radio in 1956. He later joined 
the Air Force, and following his service time, returned to working full 
time in the entertainment industry, where he would become the first 
African American to reach several technological and professional 
milestones. In 1959, Chuck created the first Black teen dance show, and 
in the early 1960s, became the first African American not only to host 
a #1 nightly Top 40 radio show, but also to buy and sell FM radio 
stations. In 1966, he began producing the nationally syndicated 
SoulTime USA, and would move on to establish the first Black movie 
distribution company to promote major Black movies. In 1978, he would 
become the first African American to operate a 24-hour commercial lease 
access television station, the Soulbeat Television Network, airing 
music videos and community programming in Oakland. Soulbeat is 
presently celebrating 22 years of continuous programming, and has not 
only added live interactive talk shows to its programming lineup, but 
in 1998 became the first network ever to broadcast full-time live 
streaming television to the world over the internet.
  In addition to the pioneering role Chuck played in the communications 
industry, he was an active member of the civil rights movement 
throughout his life. He not only served as the president of the local 
NAACP Chapter in Southern California in the 1960s, but as the West 
Coast Chapter President of the National Association of Television and 
Radio Announcers, was a leader in the movement to hire the first Black 
radio announcers in Los Angeles. Furthermore, his founding of Soulbeat 
in Oakland was historic not only because he was the first African 
American to establish such a station, but because Soulbeat was and 
continues to be a vehicle for the advancement of free speech and social 
equality.
  On August 2, 2004, Chuck's friends and family gathered to honor his 
extraordinary life and the impact that his work had on the lives of 
those around him. Chuck was a truly unique individual not only because 
of the record of historic achievements that marked his career, but 
because of his commitment to using his voice to improve the lives of 
the people in his community and beyond. His legacy will continue far 
into the future, and his memory will be treasured by all who knew him. 
The Ninth Congressional District salutes Chuck Johnson for the 
contributions he made to Oakland, the East Bay, and our entire country.

                          ____________________