[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 198 (Tuesday, December 5, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RANDY JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2017

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Randy Johnson, a 
former committee staff member and long-time friend of the Education and 
the Workforce Committee who is stepping down as the Senior Vice 
President for Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits at the U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce after 20 years of service for that respected 
organization. As his title suggests, Randy's role at the Chamber has 
required him to be engaged in a number of key public policy issues 
involving the committee. Although the Chamber is losing a very 
effective advocate, the policies and laws impacting the American 
workforce are stronger because of his commitment and engagement.
  Before going to the Chamber in 1997, Randy was the Labor Counsel and 
Workforce Policy Coordinator for the Committee for nine years. During 
this period, Randy was involved in crafting a number of federal 
statutes including the Family and Medical Leave Act on which Randy 
authored a superb minority report predicting many of the challenges 
that employers have faced in their efforts to comply with that law. He 
brought that same caliber of foresight and diligence to the legislative 
process leading up to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act. Randy also helped immensely during the transition to a Republican 
majority of the House after the 1994 elections and was instrumental in 
ensuring that the Committee hit the ground running during that historic 
period.
  During his time at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Randy and his staff 
earned the respect of policymakers because they drilled down into the 
details of legislation and issues, an attribute which made them 
effective advocates and credible stakeholders on Capitol Hill. Randy 
could also be counted on to express with clarity what happens when the 
rubber meets the road.
  The Chamber has always been a prominent voice for employers' 
interests in labor and workplace issues, but this does not mean the 
Chamber's positions are always strictly partisan. The Chamber's 
pragmatic positions on labor and employment issues reflected Randy's 
influence. Under Randy's leadership, there was always room for 
discussion wherever it was possible to reach a legislative solution in 
which all sides could come away with something. His relentless pursuit 
of results should be commended.
  Mr. Speaker, we have not yet learned of Randy's plans after he 
departs the Chamber but we expect and hope that we have not heard nor 
seen the last of him. We need more people like Randy Johnson who find 
that creating sound public policy is a calling and who possess his 
attention to detail and determination to seek solutions. We hope he is 
not content to let his light fade under a bushel and we wish him all 
the best in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________