[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BARBARA JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2018

  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Barbara Johnson 
who represented the Fourth Ward of Minneapolis for 20 years, serving as 
the Council President for the last 12 years. Johnson became the 
longest-serving Council President in Minneapolis history.
  Johnson's accomplishments as a Council Member and as Council 
President were extensive. She made public safety and the health of the 
Fourth Ward one of her main priorities, serving on the Public Safety & 
Health Committee and the Hennepin County Criminal Justice Coordination 
Committee. She assisted in crime prevention through job training and 
youth programs. As a registered nurse, Johnson was passionate about the 
growing healthcare sector in Minneapolis and supported using a public 
health approach to public safety.
  Johnson was passionate about constituent service, always willing to 
pick up the phone to help get a pothole filled. She helped support 
local businesses in the neighborhood, including the opening of the 
North Market grocery store, and businesses across Minneapolis with 
projects like the Midtown Global Market. She also spearheaded an effort 
to merge the Hennepin County and Minneapolis library systems.
  Johnson has a strong interest in parks and the environment. She 
served for 18 years on the Metropolitan Park & Open Space Commission, 
and served on the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area 
Commission. She helped negotiate a 20-year parks and street maintenance 
agreement that passed in 2016. She supported the development of the 
Webber Natural Swimming Pool. She also worked with the Minnesota 
Pollution Control Agency to reduce pollution on the Northside.
  Prior to her elected service, Johnson was a founding member of the 
Victory Neighborhood Association (VINA) and was the Chair from 1994 to 
1997.
  Johnson's experience, hard work, and leadership has made a lasting 
mark on Ward 4 and across our community. I want to thank Barbara 
Johnson for her exceptional 20 years of public service and her 
dedication to the City of Minneapolis.

                          ____________________