[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 30, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO PETE JOHNSON

 Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to commend Pete 
Johnson of Clarksdale, MS, for his service as the Federal Co-Chairman 
of the Delta Regional Authority.
  The authority was formed in 2001 as a Federal-State partnership to 
enhance the quality of life of the people of the Mississippi River 
Delta region. Since its inception, Pete Johnson has led the Delta 
Regional Authority as the Federal cochairman in its efforts to advance 
the economic opportunities of the residents of 252 counties and 
parishes in parts of 8 States, which make up the delta region.
  Pete Johnson has served the 9.5 million residents of the region and 
the Governors of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, 
Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana, with distinction in his capacity as 
the Federal cochairman.
  Under Chairman Johnson's leadership, the Delta Regional Authority has 
established successful Federal grant programs, as well as the Delta 
Leadership Institute, Healthy Delta, I-Delta, and the Delta Development 
Highway System, the Delta Doctors Program, and a multimodal system for 
the region.
  Pete has proven himself to be an exemplary and proactive leader, and 
the far-reaching effects of his leadership are evidenced by the 
numerous Delta Regional Authority contributions to the region over the 
years. The Delta Regional Authority has leveraged limited Federal 
resources with other Federal, State, and local investments, resulting 
in over $434 million for 510 projects focused on economic development 
throughout the eight-state region. Over $1.5 billion of private funds 
has also been invested in these projects.
  In addition, the implementation of the Delta Regional Authority 
Federal Grant Program has created 5,472 jobs, trained 3,315 individuals 
for jobs, and improved the water and sewer systems for 11,860 families 
in the area.
  In Mississippi, we are very grateful for the outstanding service of 
Pete Johnson and his wife Margaret and for the sacrifices they have 
made to improve the economy and the quality of life in the delta 
region.

                          ____________________