[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO LOUISE COLLINS JOHNSON ON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2012

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Louise Collins 
Johnson a former missionary and devoted servant of the Lord who turns 
100 on March 30, 2012.
  The year 1912 was a noteworthy one in history. It witnessed the first 
expeditions to discover the South Pole and the tragedy of the sinking 
of the HMS Titanic. It was also the year that Louise Collins entered 
the world to begin her long journey in the service of Christ.
  Born in Chilton County, Alabama, Ms. Collins answered the calling of 
the Lord at the young age of 18 when she began teaching Sunday school. 
Nine years later she married Roy Johnson, and together they raised one 
daughter, Ann Johnson Tyrus, and shared 11 wonderful grandchildren.
  Louise Johnson followed her faith to lead a life that would take her 
across Alabama and literally around the world. A devoted Baptist, her 
career included working for the Alabama Baptist Association before 
joining the staff of the State Assembly at Shocco Springs, Alabama, as 
well as working with the Southwide Assemblies at Ridgecrest, North 
Carolina, and Glorieta, New Mexico.
  This was just the beginning, however, of her long journey in the 
service of the Lord. Soon after, she was called to serve needy Baptist 
churches in Oregon and Washington states. Her dedication to helping 
others also led her to serve two terms as a relief missionary in 
Hawaii. Her world travels then took her to mission points in Hong Kong, 
Tokyo, Japan, and Manila, Philippines.
  In 1968, following the death of her husband, Louise Johnson moved to 
Gulf Shores, Alabama to live with her sister, Hazel Scruggs. For so 
many who have traveled to Baldwin County over the last 40 years, 
Hazel's restaurant in Gulf Shores is a well-known landmark.
  During her time in Gulf Shores, Louise Johnson served as secretary of 
the First Baptist Church for eight years and Sunday school teacher of 
the Ladies IV Class at First Baptist for 36 years. She eventually moved 
to Prattville, Alabama where she now lives with her daughter, Ann. Even 
today, as she prepares to celebrate a century on this good earth, she 
continues to work and express her faith.
  Louise Johnson has been and continues to be a dynamic, dedicated 
Christian spending her life teaching others about Jesus. On behalf of 
the people of Alabama, I wish to congratulate Ms. Johnson on her 100th 
birthday and wish for her many more years of happiness.

                          ____________________