[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 162 (Thursday, November 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1664-E1665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DELEGATE JOE JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2013

  Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to pay tribute to 
Delegate Joe Johnson, who has dutifully served Southwest

[[Page E1665]]

Virginia for nearly 30 years as a member of the Virginia General 
Assembly. I had the privilege of working on our region's behalf with 
Delegate Johnson, and like many, was saddened by news of his 
retirement.
  Born in Washington County, Virginia, Delegate Johnson attended 
Meadowview High School and served in the United States Air Force during 
the Korean War. He graduated from Emory and Henry College, which 
happens to be my alma mater as well, and went on to receive his law 
degree from the University of Richmond.
  Delegate Johnson first represented Southwest Virginia in the House of 
Delegates in the 1960s. Construction on I-81 was not complete at that 
time, however. After several years making the long drive from Abingdon 
to Richmond, Joe understandably chose to prioritize his young family 
and took a twenty-year hiatus from life as a lawmaker. He successfully 
ran for office again in 1989, and has represented Southwest Virginia in 
the House of Delegates ever since.
  Throughout his career, Delegate Johnson was involved in numerous 
issues related to education, playing a key role in establishing the 
Commonwealth's community college system and the Virginia Tobacco 
Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission as well. We may 
have been members of different political parties, but Joe could always 
be counted on to work both sides of the aisle on behalf of our region.
  Even outside of his legislative work, Delegate Johnson has been an 
active leader for Southwest Virginia. Throughout the years, Joe has 
taught Sunday school and served as chairman of the Abingdon Baptist 
Church, and was involved in the Abingdon Civitan volunteer service 
club, the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation, and the 
Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization 
Commission Center. He was once chairman of the Southwest Virginia 
Higher Education Center, and also served as vice chairman and trustee. 
Joe was on the board of trustees of the Center for Rural Virginia, and 
was chair of the Emory and Henry College board of trustees. He is 
former post commander of American Legion Post 13, former worthy patron 
of the Order of the Eastern Star, former master of the Abingdon Masonic 
Lodge 48, a Kazim Shriner, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, McCabe Lodge. Joe was president of the Washington County Bar 
Association, and was a member of the Virginia State Bar. He also has 
been a substitute judge on the Twenty-eighth General District Court.
  Delegate Johnson has long been a fixture throughout the community, 
regularly seen at church, sporting events, city council meetings, board 
of supervisors meetings, and other community events. Delegate Johnson 
can always be counted on for a warm smile and, during times of stress 
or strife, families in his area always could rely on Joe to be there to 
comfort them. His door was always open, and I know that those he has 
represented over the years have appreciated his involvement.
  Throughout the years, Delegate Johnson has proven himself a dedicated 
friend of Southwest Virginia. I am grateful for the opportunity to have 
worked with and learned from him, and have no doubt that I will see my 
friend Joe again soon. Delegate Johnson, I wish you and your loved ones 
the very best of luck in all of your future endeavors.

                          ____________________