[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 29, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H10015-H10016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     HONORING THE LATE JIM JOHNSON

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 693) honoring the life and accomplishments of Jim 
Johnson and extending the condolences of the House of Representatives 
to his family on the occasion of his death.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 693

       Whereas the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the NFL 
     lost one of our greatest treasures yesterday;
       Whereas Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim 
     Johnson passed away on July 28, 2009, after a courageous 
     battle with cancer;
       Whereas he was a veteran of 22 years as an NFL assistant;
       Whereas Johnson is regarded as one of the top defensive 
     masterminds in NFL history;
       Whereas over the last decade, he gained a great deal of 
     praise as the orchestrator of the renowned Eagles defense;
       Whereas his aggressive style kept Philadelphia at or near 
     the top of the NFL in nearly every major defensive category 
     since he joined the Eagles staff on January 22, 1999;
       Whereas from 2000-08, Johnson's units ranked second in the 
     NFL in sacks (390), 3rd down efficiency (34.0 percent) and 
     red zone touchdown percentage (43.9 percent), and fourth in 
     fewest points allowed (17.7 per game);
       Whereas during his 10-year tenure in Philadelphia, the 
     Eagles earned 7 playoff berths, 5 trips to the NFC 
     Championship game, and 1 Super Bowl appearance (following the 
     2004 season);
       Whereas as the Eagles' defensive chief, Johnson's defense 
     has produced 26 Pro Bowl selections, including Brian Dawkins 
     (7), Troy Vincent (5), Jeremiah Trotter (4), Hugh Douglas 
     (3), Lito Sheppard (2), Asante Samuel (1), Trent Cole (1), 
     Michael Lewis (1), Corey Simon (1), and Bobby Taylor (1);
       Whereas Head Coach Andy Reid correctly stated that ``He 
     (Johnson) really represented everything this city 
     (Philadelphia) is all about, with his toughness and grit'', 
     ``That's the way he fought this cancer'';
       Whereas 4 of his defensive assistants have gone on to 
     successful careers with other NFL franchises, including Steve 
     Spagnuolo (head coach of the St. Louis Rams), John Harbaugh 
     (head coach of the Baltimore Ravens), Ron Rivera (defensive 
     coordinator of the San Diego Chargers), and Leslie Frazier 
     (defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings);
       Whereas prior to his tenure in Philadelphia, Johnson served 
     as the linebackers coach with Seattle in 1998;
       Whereas that year, Johnson helped the Seahawks register 10 
     touchdowns on defense, including 8 interceptions returned for 
     scores, second-most in NFL history;
       Whereas he arrived in Seattle after a 4-year stint in 
     Indianapolis, spending the last 2 years as defensive 
     coordinator;
       Whereas while with the Colts, Johnson helped them secure a 
     berth in the AFC Championship game at Pittsburgh in 1995;
       Whereas Johnson spent 8 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals 
     (1986-93);
       Whereas after overseeing the Cardinals defensive line for 4 
     seasons, Johnson excelled as their secondary coach, helping 
     Aeneas Williams become the first rookie cornerback to lead 
     the league in interceptions (6) since 1981;
       Whereas Johnson began his coaching career as head coach at 
     Missouri Southern (1967-68), before serving 4-year tenures at 
     Drake and Indiana;
       Whereas from 1977-83, Johnson served as defensive 
     coordinator and assistant head coach at Notre Dame, a stint 
     that included a national championship in 1977;
       Whereas an all-conference quarterback himself at Missouri, 
     Johnson went on to spend 2 seasons with Buffalo as a tight 
     end (1963-64);
       Whereas a native of Maywood, Illinois, Johnson earned a 
     bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in 
     physical education from Missouri; and
       Whereas Johnson is survived by his wife, Vicky, 2 children, 
     Scott and Michelle, and 4 grandchildren, Katie, Justin, 
     Brandon, and Jax: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors Jim 
     Johnson and extends condolences to his family on the occasion 
     of his death.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
H. Res. 693.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 3 minutes 
to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady).
  Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a man who will always be 
known as a great Philadelphian and a great American. Eagles Coach Jimmy 
Johnson was a man of few words. He always let his game do his talking 
for him. He was a star quarterback at Missouri and began his coaching 
career at Missouri Southern. Jim Johnson spent nearly 50 years in 
football. He coached in the USFL, for the Arizona Cardinals and for the 
Indianapolis Colts. But he earned the title Genius during 10 seasons 
coaching in my hometown of Philadelphia.
  The Eagles led the league with 48 takeaways, including 28 
interceptions, during Mr. Johnson's first season as defensive 
coordinator. By 2001, when the Eagles went to their first of four 
straight NFC championship games, the defense was ranked among the best 
in the NFL in almost every category. And they remain an elite unit 
today. In Coach Johnson's final season, the team had the NFC's top-
ranked defense and earned yet another trip to the NFC title game.
  The Eagles' defense had 26 Pro Bowl selections during Mr. Johnson's 
tenure, including seven by safety Brian Dawkins. The team played in 
five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl, and won five NFC East 
titles.
  And his greatest legacy hasn't yet been written. Coach has seeded the 
league with his disciples. Many of his former assistants are coaching 
across the country, including Steve Spagnuolo, the head coach of the 
St. Louis Rams, and John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. 
Coach Johnson could have been a head coach anytime, anyplace, anywhere, 
but his loyalty was with the Philadelphia Eagles.
  But the greatest thing about Jim Johnson has nothing to do with the 
football field. He was known by everyone as the picture of honesty and 
as a man who never sought the spotlight but one who gave generously of 
his time and his talents.
  Mr. Speaker, Jim Johnson is survived by his wife, Vicky, two 
children, Scott and Michelle, and four grandchildren, Katie, Justin, 
Brandon and Jax. He leaves behind grieving friends, players, colleagues 
and fans. But our memories of him will live forever.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 693, honoring the life and 
accomplishments of Jim Johnson and expressing condolences to his family 
on his death. Today we honor Jim Johnson for his life accomplishments 
and for his positive attitude he exhibited, even as he battled with 
cancer.
  Mr. Johnson began his coaching career as head coach at Missouri 
Southern University. He went on to coach at Notre Dame, winning the 
national championship in his first year with the university. He entered 
the NFL in 1986 with the Arizona Cardinals and coached for 22 years for 
the Cardinals, the Indianapolis Colts, the Seattle Seahawks and the 
Philadelphia Eagles.
  Mr. Johnson's achievements in life and his career are truly 
inspiring. He was one of the top defensive masterminds in NFL history. 
In fact, his aggressive style, noted for its frequent blitzing, kept 
Philadelphia at or near the top of the NFL in nearly every major 
defensive category since Mr. Johnson joined the Eagles staff in 1999. 
With Mr. Johnson at the helm of the defense, the Philadelphia Eagles 
appeared in five NFC championship games, including in 2004 when they 
advanced to the Super Bowl.
  Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid stated:
  ``Johnson really represented everything the City of Philadelphia is 
all about, with his toughness and grit. That's the way he fought this 
cancer.''
  It is clear that Mr. Johnson made a large impact on those around him 
on and off the field. Sadly, Mr. Johnson passed away from melanoma on 
July 28, 2009, at the age of 68. Though he has left this world, he will 
forever be remembered for his accomplishments.
  I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Johnson 
and expressing our condolences to his family in his passing by 
supporting H. Res. 693.

[[Page H10016]]

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am proud to present House Resolution 693 for 
consideration. This resolution serves to honor the life and 
accomplishments of NFL coaching legend Jim Johnson, as well as extend 
our condolences to the Johnson family on his passing.
  The measure before us was introduced on July 29, 2009, by my 
colleague who spoke earlier, Representative Bob Brady of Pennsylvania.

                              {time}  1515

  This measure was reported out of the Oversight Committee on September 
4, 2009, by unanimous consent.
  Additionally, House Resolution 693 has been cosponsored by over 50 
Members of Congress and enjoys strong support from the members of the 
Pennsylvania House delegation.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 693 honors the life and accomplishments 
of Mr. Jim Johnson, whose celebrated football career spanned over 40 
years at the collegiate level and with the National Football League.
  A native of Maywood, Illinois, Coach Johnson began his career in 
football as a player--first as an All-Big Eight quarterback from 1959 
to 1962 at the University of Missouri, under Coach Dan Devine, and 
subsequently as a tight end with the Buffalo Bills of the American 
Football League from 1963 to 1964.
  In 1967, Mr. Johnson turned his attention to coaching and was hired 
by Missouri Southern College as the head football coach. Coach 
Johnson's 2-year tenure at the school was followed by 4-year tours at 
Drake University and at Indiana University, and ultimately led to a 6-
year stint as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator at the 
University of Notre Dame. Notably, the Fighting Irish won the national 
championship in Coach Johnson's first season with the team.
  After leaving Notre Dame in 1984, Coach Johnson went on to coaching 
positions with the Oklahoma Outlaws and Jackson Bulls of the United 
States Football League, and in 1986 entered the National Football 
League as a defensive line and secondary coach for the Arizona 
Cardinals.
  Coach Johnson would later join the defensive coaching staffs of the 
Indianapolis Colts and the Seattle Seahawks before Philadelphia Eagles 
Coach Andy Reid pursued and hired Johnson to be the Eagles' defensive 
coordinator in 1999. It is Coach Johnson's 10-year period with the 
Eagles that perhaps most epitomizes his mastery of defensive schemes 
and cemented his status, as noted by Andy Reid, as the ``best in the 
business at what he does.''
  Coach Johnson's tenure in Philadelphia witnessed 26 Pro Bowl 
selections for the Eagles' defense, including seven by safety Brian 
Dawkins and five by quarterback Troy Vincent.
  As noted by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Coach Johnson's Eagles career 
will be remembered as ``one of the finest decades of defensive football 
in the Eagles' history, and when the chapter about the top of the 21st 
century is written about this football team, the name Jim Johnson will 
be mentioned prominently.''
  In addition to his professional accomplishments, Coach Johnson will 
be equally remembered as a loving husband to his wife, Vicky; a 
dedicated father to his son, Scott, and daughter, Michelle; and an 
endearing grandfather to four grandchildren.
  Regrettably, Coach Johnson passed away in July of 2009 at the age of 
68. Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that we can honor the life and 
accomplishments of Coach Jim Johnson, as well as express our sincerest 
condolences to his family, through the passage of House Resolution 693. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of 
House Resolution 693, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. In closing, I urge my colleagues to join with the lead 
sponsor of this resolution, Bob Brady of Pennsylvania, in supporting 
House Resolution 693.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 693.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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