[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 5, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E764-E765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MR. HAROLD J. JOHNSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2010

  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it has come to my attention that Mr. 
Harold J. Johnston is retiring as Conductor of the Sedalia Symphony 
Orchestra after 30 years. Only the second Conductor in the history of 
the Symphony, Mr. Johnston continued and expanded the great tradition 
of this Sedalia staple.
  Mr. Johnston began his service to the community in 1955 as an 
educator in the Smithton School District. Four years later, Mr. 
Johnston began teaching in the Sedalia School District and remained 
there for the next 27 years. Having received his Bachelor's and 
Master's degrees in music education from Central Missouri State 
University, Mr. Johnston trained countless middle and high school 
students in vocal and instrumental music.
  In 1952, Mr. Johnston began his involvement with the Sedalia Symphony 
Orchestra, the second oldest continuous symphony in the State of 
Missouri. Now in its 75th concert season, the Symphony continues to 
bring great value to Sedalia and the surrounding communities due in no 
small part to Mr. Johnston's leadership for the past three decades. 
Building on the Symphony's great tradition, he introduced two new 
performances that have become community favorites: the annual Christmas 
POPS Concert and the performance of Handel's Messiah.
  Mr. Johnston's commitment to the community of Sedalia and the 
Symphony has not gone unnoticed. In 1998, Mr. Johnston received the 
first ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sedalia Area Council for 
the Arts, now the Liberty Center Arts Association.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Johnston has brought the joy of music to countless 
individuals throughout his career in public education and with the 
Sedalia Symphony Orchestra. I trust my fellow members of the House will 
join me

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in thanking him for his many years of dedicated service.

                          ____________________