[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 126 (Thursday, July 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E642-E643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            DR. MARK JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED PERLMUTTER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 2020

  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Mark 
Johnson, Executive Director of the Jefferson County Public Health 
Department for receiving the American College of Preventive Medicine's 
Distinguished Service Award, recognizing his more than 30 years of 
service in the public health sector. Additionally, in September 2019, 
Dr. Johnson also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Public 
Health in the Rockies. Both awards recognize Dr. Johnson's significant 
contributions and leadership in public health.

[[Page E643]]

  During his tenure at Jeffco Public Health, Dr. Johnson has been 
instrumental in improving the quality of life and health outcomes for 
local residents and communities. Among his notable accomplishments is 
his work to help write and pass the Colorado Public Health Act in 2008, 
which requires use of assessments to determine population health and 
systemwide capacity issues; develops a five-year state and local public 
health improvement plan based on assessment results; and engages 
communities to increase and improve the availability and quality of 
public health services. The goal of the bill is to ensure that core 
public health services are available to every person in Colorado.
  Under Johnson's leadership, Jeffco has been one of the healthiest 
areas in the state with lower teen birth rates, lower sexually-
transmitted infections, access to parks and recreation, safe food and 
access to healthcare. Jeffco is doing better in some areas than 
Colorado and the country.
  Dr. Johnson also worked to establish the Colorado School of Public 
Health, comprised of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical 
Campus, Colorado State University and the University of Northern 
Colorado. It is the first accredited and only collaborative school of 
public health in the region.
  Dr. Johnson planned to retire in June 2020 but in an effort to 
maintain continuity for the public health workforce on the frontlines 
of the pandemic and a population facing a health crisis, announced he 
would delay his retirement to help see JCPH and Jefferson County 
residents through this unprecedented time. In retirement, Johnson was 
looking forward to spending time with grandchildren, and remaining 
active in his church. We appreciate his sacrifice and ongoing service 
to our community during this crisis and congratulate Dr. Mark Johnson 
on a lifetime of service to public health and to our community.

                          ____________________