[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 125 (Friday, September 20, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN HONOR OF EPPAMINONDAS ``EPPIE'' JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 20, 2013

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise in honor of 
Eppaminondas ``Eppie'' Johnson, who passed away recently in Sacramento 
at the age of 85. I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Eppie, 
as his family, friends, and the entire Sacramento community gathers to 
celebrate his life and legacy.
  Eppaminondas Johnson was born on May 7, 1928, in Astoria, New York. 
After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, he moved to 
Sacramento to work for his father's restaurant and hotel business. In 
Sacramento, Eppie became a business and community legend. He was to 
become a symbol for everything great about Sacramento.
  Eppie founded a chain of 24-hour coffee shops and he became famous in 
the 1960s and 1970s for running a popular TV advertisement featuring 
himself balancing a plate of food while water skiing. He was well-known 
for his lively marketing campaigns, such as ``Professor Eppie'' that 
gave free sundaes to students who earned straight As. He eventually 
came to own sixteen restaurants in Sacramento, San Francisco, Las 
Vegas, Fresno, and the Lake Tahoe area, as well as hotels and other 
properties.
  An athletic man, Eppie was also the founder of a beloved Sacramento 
tradition known as ``Eppie's Great Race.'' Started in 1974 as a 
promotion and charity fundraiser, this three-event contest included 
running, cycling, and kayaking all in the beautiful American River 
Parkway. Popularly called the ``world's oldest triathlon,'' the contest 
has grown into a major summer celebration that annually attracts more 
than 2,000 participants. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of 
the Great Race and I know Eppie will be cheering everyone on. His race 
has raised over $1 million for the Sacramento County Therapeutic 
Recreation Services which offers activities to individuals with 
developmental disabilities. I had the pleasure of visiting Therapeutic 
Recreation Services with Eppie, and his passion to assist those with 
disabilities was clear.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in paying honor 
to Eppaminondas ``Eppie'' Johnson for being an exemplary member of the 
Sacramento community. I ask that we all take a moment and give our 
utmost respect and condolences to his children, George Johnson and Lisa 
Mangles, and his grandchildren. His life and commitment to our 
community are an inspiration to us all. The Sacramento area has lost a 
true legend.

                          ____________________