[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMEMBRANCE OF JEFFREY JARNELL JOHNSON, JR.: A LIFE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT, 
                           CARING AND PROMISE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Jeffrey Johnson was a strong and 
gifted young man. I recognized it, and my staff recognized it, when he 
served as a high school intern in my Congressional office. His teachers 
also recognized his abilities, as did his coaches, and even college 
administrators at institutions he never attended. He was a bright and 
shining young man with talent, direction and purpose, and he had 
unlimited potential.
  When Jeffrey put his mind to something, and focused his energy on it, 
he would overcome any obstacle to achieve it. Today, Thursday, May 
25th, Jeffrey would have graduated Summa Cum Laude, and received the 
Miami-Dade County School Superintendent's Diploma of Distinction, from 
Carol City Sr. High School. He was imbued with intelligence, as 
evidenced by his grade point average, which landed him a Bright Futures 
full academic scholarship to St. Thomas University in Miami, where he 
looked forward to studying law.
  I truly believe that Jeffrey would have become a leader in our 
community and perhaps even in our country, a person of consequence, a 
role model for others, and a force in the world for good.
  Sadly, however, this strong, gifted, 17-year-old young man was 
tragically and senselessly killed in a shooting early Sunday, May 21, 
2006. Our entire Dade County community is consumed in grief and sorrow 
because of his passing. His funeral services will be held Saturday, May 
27th, at the New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith in Miami, 
Florida. The heart of every caring person aches because of the burden 
that now must be borne by his father, Jeffrey Sr., his mother, Brenda, 
and his beloved sister, Jarrika. The magnitude of their loss is truly 
beyond understanding.
  I had the distinct honor and special privilege to have this young man 
serve as an intern in my office, where he epitomized standards of 
excellence and personal warmth in responding to the needs and concerns 
of my constituents. Many of them recall Jeffrey as the young intern who 
greeted them with utmost respect and empathy. He easily stood as a 
model student, defined by his quiet but dignified demeanor. His 
exemplary conduct and his study ethic garnered him the unique 
distinction that served as an example to all students seeking to 
prepare themselves as the leaders of tomorrow through the power of the 
educated mind and the sensitivity of a caring heart.
  Jeffrey was a very special young man, and we are fortunate to have 
known him and are grateful for the gifts he left with us. Every person 
of goodwill is moved by his extraordinary life and the tragedy of his 
premature passing. I pray that his family will somehow be comforted by 
the fact that Jeffrey graced our lives, that he touched the lives of so 
many people during his all-too-brief time on this earth, and that we 
will never forget him.

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