[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 183 (Monday, December 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING AUDREY SMITH-JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 23, 2013

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, Audrey Smith-Johnson was born in Yonkers and 
attended Yonkers Public Schools, and graduated from Tefft Business 
School. As a high school student, she volunteered at the Yonkers YWCA 
and was a Candy Striper at St. Joseph Hospital. But it was while 
working various positions at a temp agency that she found her passion 
in real estate. She received her Real Estate Certificate and has been 
working in that field for 28 years.
  But she has another calling, and that is as a member of her 
community. In July, 2005, she joined Community Sunset Temple #1132, 
Daughters of Elks, LBPOE Elks of the World. She was promptly elected as 
Doorkeeper and in 2006 she was elected as the Treasurer. There she has 
embraced in all facets of Elkdom. Some of the positions she holds are: 
Assistant Vice Loyal Daughter of Unity Past Daughter Rulers Council 
(Westchester & Rockland), she is a member of the New York State 
Daughters of Elks--Royal Court Department, Treasurer/Financial 
Secretary of the Past State President Circle of Westchester, Rockland 
and Sullivan Counties. This year she is the Chairperson of the Mid-
Winter Conference for The New York State 1B POE of W.
  She also belongs to the Yonkers African-American Heritage Committee, 
a not-for-profit community based organization that partners with 
several other such organizations, such as: Sister To Sister, YMCA, YWCA 
and The Yonkers Public Library. Mrs. Johnson joined the YAAHC in 2005, 
and was named Financial Secretary, a job she has kept, along with 
several appointed positions such as: Chairperson-Nominating Committee, 
Joint-Chair-Scholarship Committee and Assistant Corresponding 
Secretary.
  In May 2009, Senior Center #9, located at Terrace City Lodge #1499 
appointed her Communication/Publicity Director.
  She and her husband, John (Worshipful Master of James H. Farrell #34, 
PH) have been married for 31 years. They have two children, Mrs. 
LaTasha Pagan and John, Jr., and a granddaughter Karissma. She is also 
a mother and grandmother to her extended family--Ms. Capricia McClellan 
and her children and her grandchildren.
  I am proud to join the Luther V. Garrison Sr. Masonic Foundation in 
honoring Audrey Smith-Johnson as Woman of the Year for her many 
contributions to her community.

                          ____________________