[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 94 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO BRYAN JOHNSTON

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, former Oregon Governor Tom McCall 
once said, ``Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. 
They are individuals who say, `This is my community, and it is my 
responsibility to make it better.'''
  Today I pay tribute to Bryan Johnston, a true Oregon hero, who 
devoted much of his life and career to making Oregon and our State 
capital city of Salem a better place in which to live, work, and raise 
a family.
  Like countless others in Oregon, I was shocked and saddened to learn 
that Bryan passed away last week at the far too early age of 59 years. 
Bryan's passing deprives my State of one of her most respected, admired 
and effective public servants; it deprives St. Martin's University in 
Lacey, WA, of a gifted leader, as Bryan was scheduled to begin his 
service of president of that university on July 1; it deprives many in 
Oregon, including myself, of a trusted friend and advisor; and it 
deprives his wife Anne and their four children of a loving and 
dedicated husband and father.
  During his years in Salem, Bryan served in a remarkable number of 
roles, including: lawyer; professional mediator; Law professor; 
director of the Center for Dispute Resolution at Willamette University 
College of Law; dean of the Willamette University Atkinson Graduate 
School of Management; interim president of Willamette University; 
Oregon State Representative; and interim director of the Oregon 
Department of Human Services Children, Adults and Families Division. As 
the Salem Statesman-Journal so aptly put it, ``Bryan Johnston was Mr. 
Fix--it for colleges, for state government, and for the Salem-area 
community.''
  The tributes that have been pouring in since Bryan's passing speak 
volumes of the impact this gentle and gifted visionary made in so many 
ways.
  Salem business and community leader Dick Withnell said: ``He was so 
wise. He could grasp a tough situation and see what should be done and 
then be collaborative with people to accomplish it. That's a real 
gift.''
  State Senate President Peter Courtney said: ``Bryan was a great 
mediator and facilitator. He was a very, very versatile individual in 
the area of education and public service. Those are maybe two of the 
highest callings you can aspire to, if you're chosen; and he was chosen 
time and again.''
  Department of Human Services Director Bruce Goldberg stated: ``Bryan 
was a trusted advisor and friend, who brought wisdom, humor, and 
kindness into all of our lives.''
  Perhaps the best tribute to Bryan was paid by my friend John Watt, 
who served with Bryan in the Oregon State House of Representatives. 
Said John: ``One of the things that has always stuck with me about 
Bryan is that he truly was doing the work for Oregon. I mean, he wasn't 
somebody who was after kudos for himself. He didn't necessarily walk 
lockstep with his caucus. He was always willing to talk and work with 
people.''
  Bryan Johnston talked and worked with people, and because of that, he 
leaves behind a remarkable legacy of accomplishment and service. 
Indeed, I am reminded of the words of Mother Teresa, who said: ``God 
does not call us to be successful. God calls us to be faithful.''
  By any account, Bryan Johnston led a successful life. But I know that 
more important to him was the fact that he led a faithful life. He was 
a faithful educator, legislator and public official. He was a faithful 
husband, and friend. He was a faithful servant of God. May God bless 
Bryan Johnston.

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