[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING EDWARD R. JOHNSON

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, yesterday morning I met Edward 
Johnson of Springdale, AR, who was selected by Experience Works, the 
Nation's oldest and largest provider of job training and employment 
opportunities for older Americans, as the 2008 Outstanding Older Worker 
from the State of Arkansas. I want to take this opportunity to 
congratulate Mr. Johnson on receiving this award and thank him for his 
steadfast service to our country and my home State of Arkansas.
  More than 60 years ago, as an 18-year-old young man, Mr. Johnson 
enlisted in the U.S. Army. Over the next 30 years, he served our 
country in outposts from Japan and Korea to the Panama Canal and 
Vietnam. Upon his honorable discharge in 1978, he had earned the rank 
of sergeant major.
  Without knowing what his next step in life would be, Mr. Johnson went 
to his local employment office to apply for unemployment benefits. Upon 
arriving, he found his second calling and began a second 30-year career 
as the local veterans representative in the Fayetteville office for the 
Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, DWS. In this capacity, Mr. 
Johnson has assisted countless veterans find employment and helped 
disabled veterans find uses for their unique talents. He has said that 
the pleasure of putting veterans to work and their excitement when 
hired is what motivates him.
  Throughout his service, he has become like a father figure and 
invaluable member of the DWS staff. It is not uncommon for him to go 
above and beyond to assist in a variety of capacities around the 
office. He is known to mentor new employees, especially veterans in the 
work/study program, and takes it upon himself to recognize colleagues 
with awards when they provide an outstanding level of service.
  At the age of 78, Mr. Johnson is showing no signs of slowing down, 
either. He continues to learn how to use the newest technology needed 
to perform his job. He also likes to treat the staff by grilling 
hamburgers and hotdogs in the parking lot or bringing in his wife's 
homemade soup.
  Beyond his work, Mr. Johnson is a valuable member of his community. 
He is a 23-year member of the Noon Lions Club, where he served as 
president from 1988 to 1989, and in 1999, he served as the Rogers-
Lowell Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year.
  In closing, I want Mr. Johnson to know that he is an inspiration, not 
only to me and my colleagues but to the millions of seniors around our 
great State and across this country. We are thankful for his many 
contributions.

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