[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 182 (Friday, October 23, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING BRUCE JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                        of district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 23, 2020

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding 
achievements of Bruce Johnson, who will retire on December 31, 2020, 
after 44 years as a distinguished television news anchor and reporter. 
I have worked with Bruce Johnson ever since being elected to Congress 
and will miss his heavy hitting questions and incisive reporting.
  Bruce Johnson has won 22 Emmys, is a member of the Society of 
Professional Journalists Hall of Fame, the Washington, DC Hall of Fame 
and will soon be inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame at 
the University of Kentucky. He has also received the Ted Yates Award 
and the NATAS Board of Governors Award and is a member of the National 
Association of Black Journalists and the National Press Club.
  Throughout his career with WUSA9, a CBS affiliate in the District of 
Columbia, Bruce Johnson has reported on stories ranging from local D.C. 
news to federal matters, from the local real estate market to 
government shutdowns and from D.C.'s mistreatment in the CARES Act to 
violence on the streets of D.C. During Johnson's distinguished career, 
he has shed light on difficult topics for his audience in D.C. and 
across the nation.
  Bruce Johnson's career took him from his hometown of Louisville, 
Kentucky to places as far away as Rome, Bangkok, Dakar and Tokyo on 
special assignments for WUSA9. Even before the international chapter of 
his career, Johnson made a name for himself in D.C. by reporting on 
notable stories, including the 1982 Metro train derailment and the 1977 
Hanafi Siege, in which 142 people were held hostage by 12 gunmen 
leading to the deaths of two individuals.
  Bruce Johnson endured a difficult blow from a heart attack in 1992 
while on assignment in Southeast D.C. His journey back to health 
included completing the Marine Corps Marathon. In 2018, he was dealt a 
second blow when he was diagnosed with cancer. He responded to these 
illnesses as a true reporter, taking Americans along with him to help 
provide clarity on difficult experiences. Johnson stayed true to his 
honest reporting even when he became the story. He is the author of two 
books. The first, entitled Heart to Heart, was inspired by his heart 
attack, and the second, All or Nothing, was an expose on the life of 
D.C. basketball player Victor Page.
  I have known Bruce my entire career, and I had hoped that he would 
remain at Channel 9 as long as I remained in Congress. Bruce commented 
once during an interview that he covered my first congressional 
campaign. Having been on his show many times to discuss issues that 
affect D.C. residents, I have grown to consider Bruce a friend. He has 
helped tell the story of D.C. 's challenges and triumphs and lent his 
platform and voice to the fight for congressional equality for the 
District.
  Bruce's demeanor and his down-to-earth, relatable storytelling will 
be missed on the air as he goes on to pursue other accomplishments in 
the next chapter of his life. I ask the House of Representatives to 
join me in recognizing Bruce Johnson for his distinguished career in 
journalism. I wish him the very best in the years to come.

                          ____________________