[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING CALVIN L. JOHNSON, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Calvin L. Johnson, Sr. as 
he completes his time as the Worthy Grand Joshua, of the Most Ancient 
Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, Inc., Prince Hall PHA of 
Pennsylvania.
   The Prince Hall Freemasonry is a collection of predominately African 
American jurisdictions in North America with a rich history dating back 
to before the Revolutionary War. In the 1700s, upon receiving rejection 
by over a dozen colonial Freemasonries, a freed slave by the name of 
Prince Hall, along with fourteen other freed slaves, created a chapter 
through the Grand Lodge of England, the original source of Freemasonry. 
The position of Worthy Grand Joshua is one of the highest honors within 
the Prince Hall Freemasonry. During the past two years, Mr. Johnson's 
duties have involved a demanding schedule of visits to many lodges 
throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and participation in 
countless ceremonies and events.
   A lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, Mr. Johnson was born in 
Harrisburg and spent his formative years in Steelton. He graduated from 
Steelton-Highspire High. After completing high school, Mr. Johnson 
entered the U.S. Army and was able to retire as a Chief Warrant Officer 
3, as a Criminal Investigator for the Department of the Army.
   His career after the military includes working for the Department of 
Environmental Resources, the Office of the Attorney, and the Securities 
and Exchange Commission. Most recently, after four years as a Security 
Investigator, Mr. Johnson left to pursue part-time work as a private 
investigator, constable, and tax preparer. It is during this time that 
he became the Worthy Grand Joshua, of the Most Ancient Grand Court, 
Heroines of Jericho, Inc., PHA. He has served in this capacity for two 
years, performing his duties professionally and never without a smile.
   Outside of his current role as Worthy Grand Joshua, Mr. Johnson also 
serves on the Executive Board of Steelton Youth in Action (S.Y.I.A.) as 
the Financial Secretary. Even with his many commitments, he finds time 
in his schedule to drive a school bus for Steelton-Highspire, McDevitt, 
and Central Dauphin students.
   George Washington, a notable Mason, once shared: ``To enlarge the 
sphere of social happiness is worthy of the benevolent design of a 
Masonic institution; and it is most fervently to be wished, that the 
conduct of every member of the fraternity, as well as those 
publications, that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend 
to convince mankind that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the 
happiness of the human race.''
   Mr. Speaker, upon the completion of his duties as Worthy Grand 
Joshua, I thank Mr. Johnson for all that he has done for our area and 
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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