[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                   HONORING DEBBIE AND DONALD JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2018

  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
the countless contributions of Debbie and Donald Johnson and the mark 
they have made on their community in Santa Paula, California. For a 
quarter of a century, Debbie and Donald have tirelessly served the City 
of Santa Paula and its residents by chronicling the community's news 
and happenings.
   Santa Paula residents since 1979, Debbie and Donald Johnson founded 
the twice-weekly Santa Paula Times in 1993, following the closure of 
the 105-year-old Santa Paula Daily Chronicle, of which Donald was the 
publisher and Debbie was the office manager. Together they published 
the Santa Paula Times for 25 years, never missing an issue.
   The numerous accolades they have received over the years are a 
testament to their civic virtue. Debbie and Donald Johnson have been 
honored as the 2015 Citizens of the Year by the Santa Paula Chamber of 
Commerce; the 2015 Jesse Victoria Business of the Year Award by the 
Latino Town Hall; and the 1994 and 2009 Business of the Year Award; as 
well as the 1991 Good Practices Award by the Santa Paula Chamber of 
Commerce.
   In addition, Donald is a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the 
United States Army from 1968 to 1970. For his distinguished service, he 
received the Bronze Star, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam 
Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, 
and the Good Conduct Medal. Donald continued his public service by 
serving two terms on the Santa Paula City Council and was appointed as 
mayor twice.
   Debbie Johnson was president of the Downtown Merchants Association, 
which staged the annual Hot Summer Jazz and Art. Both Donald and Debbie 
are co-founders of the Citizens Patrol and founding directors of the 
Santa Paula Police and Fire Foundations, and Debbie has been a leading 
force for the annual Moonlight at the Ranch fundraiser that benefits 
public safety organizations in the region.
   Debbie and Donald Johnson strongly support many charitable 
activities in Santa Paula and have been lauded for their steadfast 
commitment to organizations including the Santa Paula Chamber of 
Commerce, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Paula, the Santa Paula 
Optimist Club, and the Santa Paula Education Foundation.
   For these reasons, it is my honor to recognize Debbie and Donald 
Johnson for their dedicated efforts in serving the Santa Paula 
community and embodying a level of civic engagement and participation 
to which we should all aspire. I thank Donald and Debbie for 
establishing the Santa Paula Times, a local journalistic institution 
that will not soon be forgotten.

                          ____________________