[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 12, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S8133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO JOHN H. JOHNSON

   Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
a renowned publisher, entrepreneur, businessman, humanitarian and an 
outstanding Arkansan, Mr. John Harold Johnson.
  John H. Johnson, a native of Arkansas City, AR, was born on January 
19, 1918, to Leroy and Gertrude Johnson. Over 60 years ago, John H. 
Johnson founded and became owner of the largest black-owned publishing 
company in the world, Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., located in 
Chicago, IL. From this company, the Negro Digest, Ebony, Jet and other 
magazines and periodicals were created. Ebony and Jet magazines enabled 
Johnson to have an impact on Civil Rights in America, Entertainment, 
Sports and the Nation's culture as a whole. These two magazines 
continue to successfully reflect and comment on the African-American 
experience. Johnson has also enjoyed success in the cosmetic industry 
with the establishment of Fashion Fair Cosmetics.
  In 1999, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Arkansas City, 
AR, formed an alliance for the creation of the John H. Johnson Delta 
Cultural and Entrepreneurial Learning Center. The Cultural and 
Entrepreneurial Learning Center will provide accommodations in Arkansas 
City for classroom and educational activities that originate at the 
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
  On Saturday, May 21, 2005, the John H. Johnson Cultural and Education 
Museum was dedicated in Johnson's hometown. Using materials from the 
original, the museum was constructed as a replica of Johnson's boyhood 
home. It will now provide valuable insight into his life and origin 
while bringing tourism dollars to his native home of Arkansas City and 
the surrounding area. His life is an inspirational American story 
where, rising from poverty with a strong sense of self, he overcame 
adversity and became one of the country's most successful 
entrepreneurs. I am grateful to have been a part of this magnificent 
event and honored to have Mr. John H. Johnson at the top of the list of 
notable Arkansans and Americans. 

                          ____________________