[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 8 (Friday, January 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING ROGER L. JOHNSON FOR HIS OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE

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                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 22, 2010

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with both great pleasure and 
appreciation that I rise today on behalf of the entire Connecticut 
Congressional Delegation to pay tribute to an exceptional public 
servant, Roger L. Johnson. Appointed in 2002 as the Director of the 
Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, Roger has recently 
decided to take a position with the Northampton Veterans Administration 
to be closer to his home and family. To say that he will be missed 
understates the sentiment by all of those gathered this evening to wish 
him well.
  Roger has dedicated a lifetime to public service. Upon graduating 
from George Washington University's Hospital Administration Masters 
Degree program, he began his career with the United States Department 
of Veterans Affairs. Over the course of his career he has held 
positions at the Veterans Administration offices in Bronx, New York, 
Sheridan, Wyoming, as well as Boston and Northampton, Massachusetts. 
His commitment to ensuring the best quality care for our nations' 
veterans has been the driving force behind his many years with the 
Department.
  Appointed Director in 2002, it is not an overstatement to say that 
Roger has been one of the strongest leaders the Connecticut VA 
Healthcare System has had. I can speak for the entire Connecticut 
Congressional Delegation when I say that Roger has been an invaluable 
resource for both Members and their staffs. He has been both responsive 
to our inquiries on behalf of our constituents as well as proactive in 
ensuring that our offices were aware of any issues the VA Connecticut 
Healthcare System was facing. It has been that kind of open 
communication that has allowed us to provide unique services and 
outstanding quality care to Connecticut's veterans.
  In addition to his work at the VA, Roger has long been involved with 
the Federal Executive Boards and Associations--established by 
Presidential Directive in 1961, this organization is a forum for 
communication and collaboration among Federal agencies outside of 
Washington, DC. For nearly five years, Roger has led the Connecticut 
Federal Executive Association. Upon his election as Chair, Roger 
immediately took steps to raise the bar on accomplishments and to 
increase involvement. During his tenure he made the Annual Federal 
Awards Luncheon/Breakfast a stellar event with ever increasing 
attendance which necessitated venue changes to accommodate more 
participants. He also initiated educational events/agency tours to help 
broaden the awareness of Connecticut's federal employees as to what 
federal agencies are in Connecticut and what they do, retirement 
seminars to assist employees with what they needed to know and do as 
they neared retirement, as well as the development of a Connecticut 
federal agencies communications list in the event of a federal 
emergency.
  Throughout the course of his career, Roger has been recognized with 
numerous awards and commendations. Given his dedication not only to 
civil service but to community service has left an indelible mark 
wherever he has served. I am proud to stand today on behalf of the 
entire Connecticut Congressional Delegation to extend our deepest 
thanks and appreciation to Roger L. Johnson for his lifetime of 
outstanding public service. We wish him all the best in all of his 
future endeavors.

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