[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1855-E1856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO DOROTHY ``DOTTIE'' JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2008

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
Dorothy ``Dottie'' Johnson on the occasion of her retirement from the 
United States Postal Service, South Florida District. Dottie will 
retire as manager of diversity development, and can look back on a 
proud career of service and distinction in community leadership.
  A native Miamian, Dottie attended Miami Northwestern Senior High 
School where she graduated with several honors and awards. In order to 
further her education, she attended Miami Dade College majoring in 
criminology, postal management and public administration. In May 1996, 
she was trained and certified as a Federal mediator. In 1997, she 
completed several business courses at the University of Michigan. In 
October 2000, she was trained and certified as a global career 
development facilitator. In 2001, she was trained and certified as a 
county mediator. In October 2003, she was trained and certified as an 
organizational development practitioner.
  She complemented her educational achievements with her involvement in 
various organizations such as the Florida Minority Business Council 
Inc.; Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP; South Florida Federal Executive 
Board Diversity Council; South Florida Federal Executive Board; South 
Florida Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc; Excel Academy Inc.; Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Parade and Festivities Committee, Inc.; The Historic Hampton 
House Community Trust, Inc.; North Dade Federal Community Development 
Credit Union; UP-PAC; Broward County Business and Professional Women's 
Network; and mentor at North Dade Middle School and Nathan B. Young 
Elementary.
  Dottie has lectured to various audiences and has served as an 
instructor, facilitator and

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motivational speaker on issues pertaining to affirmative action, 
women's issues, diversity awareness, community empowerment and 
workforce development. In addition, she is very active in the community 
and is often called upon to be a speaker, advisor, and/or mediator by 
local schools, colleges, universities, churches, local/Federal 
government, and civil and professional organizations.
  In April 2000, she founded and currently serves as the president/CEO 
of The Portrait of Empowerment Inc., a not-for-profit community based 
organization. This organization is dedicated to enabling individuals 
and families to become self-sufficient, which ultimately will improve 
the economic development as well as the quality of life in the 
community-at-large. In May 2001, she graduated from the 
Interdenominational Theological Center with a certificate of theology 
in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2002, she was elected as the vice-mayor for the 
city of Opa-Locka, Florida, and also served as the interim mayor. She 
also serves as the volunteers' coordinator for the Carrie Meek 
Foundation, Inc.
  This public servant is married to Roy Johnson, has two daughters, 
Roilanda and Tamika, and two grandchildren, Joshua and Nisiah. Dottie 
is known in the community as ``Lady Justice''.
  It is an honor to have the privilege of knowing this valued leader of 
the Miami-Dade County community and beyond. I salute Mrs. Dorothy 
``Dottie'' Johnson on behalf of a grateful community that she truly 
loves and cares for. Now, in retirement, she embarks upon new 
challenges in life and I am certain her legacy of greatness will only 
grow and develop as she enters this new phase of life. I wish her every 
happiness and success.

                          ____________________