[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 131 (Friday, August 3, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1119-E1120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF JOHNNY HARRIS, JR: SON, FATHER, 
  GRANDFATHER, PATRIOT, OUTSTANDING AMERICAN, TEACHER, AND COMMUNITY 
                                 LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Johnny 
Harris, Jr., a great American, who dedicated his life in service to 
making this great country a better place and educating the next 
generation of leaders.
  Living by the creed that knowledge and education could change your 
life and perceptions making you a better person, Mr. Johnny Harris Jr. 
obtained his bachelor's degree in business and two master's degrees in 
business and education.
  During his life he sold insurance and owned his own businesses, but 
later returned to his passion of educating and coaching the next 
generation of future leaders.
  His love for football extended to him coaching football at Zaragoza 
Air Base in Spain and later at Estacado High School in Lubbock, Texas.
  In addition, he also taught at Lincoln Middle School, Edison Middle 
School, and Lee Middle School respectively.
  In life and work, he was committed to inspiring excellence in all 
people.
  He exuded love, friendship and compassion.
  Mr. Johnny Harris Jr. loved mentoring local high school students and 
founded the non-profit Center for Athletic and Academic Placement 
(CAAP), of which he was extremely proud, to help high school student 
athletes improve their academics and obtain scholarships for college.
  During the past 20 years, Mr. Johnny Harris Jr. and his wife helped 
mentor hundreds of students and assisted them into college.
  Mr. Johnny Harris Jr. believed no child should suffer and even in his 
last days sought to empower and enrich causes dedicated to helping 
eradicate diseases prevalent among children, and terminal diseases 
generally.
  He lived by the quote ``God, family, and education'' and it was 
evident in all the he did.
  On April 26, 2018, he succumbed to illness, but not without inspiring 
a new generation of leaders.
  As we go forward, it is of the upmost importance to provide 
experimental treatment to those facing terminal diagnoses.
  As we have seen, it can literally mean the difference between life 
and death or essential comfort during the final days of life.

[[Page E1120]]

  Mr. Johnny Harris Jr. is survived by his wife, Regina, of 38 years; 
children, including his daughter Zenobia Harris Bivens--a brilliant and 
formidable attorney in the Houston area--her husband Darvell, and their 
lovely son Dean. He has another daughter, LaGina, and a son, Johnny 
III, and a daughter-in-law, Jessica. Mr. Johnny Harris is also survived 
by his parents, Johnny Sr. and Flora Mae Harris, as well as a full and 
loving extended family.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating Johnny 
Harris Jr.'s life and legacy.
  America is a better place, and Texas is a better state, because of 
Mr. Harris and his service.
  I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of Johnny 
Harris Jr.

                          ____________________