[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 90 (Thursday, June 30, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MRS. JANIE HOLLOMAN JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 29, 2005

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mrs. Janie 
Holloman Johnson, a native South Carolinian whose dedication to service 
for all God's children shines as an example to each of us. On July 13, 
2005, she will celebrate her 100th birthday, and I believe it is 
important to highlight a few of the contributions she has made during 
her life as we commemorate her centennial birthday.
  Born in Timmonsville, South Carolina, Mrs. Johnson attended public 
schools in Darlington County where she had to walk four miles each way 
on a daily basis. An avid learner from an early age, she was one of a 
few students who had the capability to recite her ABC's forwards and 
backwards with great speed. As an example of her commitment to 
learning, at the age of 69, Mrs. Johnson went back to school to receive 
her high school diploma from Old Johnson High School in Timmonsville, 
South Carolina, taking night classes to achieve this long time goal.
  Mrs. Johnson has been a tireless worker in her community. After she 
received her diploma, she held classes in the community to teach others 
to read and dial a telephone. In addition, she served as a caretaker to 
disabled members of her family and to others in the community at large.
  Mrs. Johnson has been a longtime and active member of Mt. Carmel 
Baptist Church in Timmonsville, South Carolina serving in many 
capacities including the church choir, the Sunday School Department, 
and the Missionary Society. Her roots in the church date back to her 
childhood, where she received religious training from her parents and 
the leaders of Center Baptist Church in Timmonsville where she 
worshipped while growing up.
  In addition to being a woman of faith, a woman dedicated to her 
community, and a woman who is a lifelong advocate of learning; Mrs. 
Johnson is a woman dedicated to family. She is the widow of the late 
Evander Johnson, Sr. to whom she was married for 65 years until his 
death. She is the mother of 6 children, 17 grandchildren, 15 great 
grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, and 1 great-great-great 
grandchild.
  While their children were young, the family lived as sharecroppers 
and Mrs. Johnson handmade most of the clothes for her growing children. 
Once her children were grown, she became a cosmetologist and worked 
from her home. To this day, she is still active with volunteer work in 
her community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the life and legacy of this venerable woman on her 100th birthday. She 
blazed a trail in her community through Christian service that 
continues to influence future generations. And she has demonstrated, 
with great fervor, her timeless commitment to serve the people of her 
community. I wish her a Happy Birthday and Godspeed.

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