[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL A. JOHNSON

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 28, 2022

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man 
who has served as a distinguished community leader from a young age and 
has continued to enrich future generations as a Boy Scouts of America 
(BSA) Scoutmaster for the past 37 years, Michael A. Johnson. Recently, 
Michael was awarded the Book of Golden Deeds Award by the Exchange Club 
of Albany in May 2022 for his exemplary record of community service and 
improvement, volunteering, and improving the lives of young people. His 
retirement as Scoutmaster for St. Teresa's Catholic Church Troop 3 will 
be celebrated on October 9, 2022 at three o'clock p.m. at the church's 
school cafeteria in Albany, Georgia.
  Born into an Air Force family by the union of Michael and Marcia 
Johnson, Michael moved to Southwest Georgia when his father was 
transferred to Albany in 1971. He began his Scouting journey as a young 
boy in the Cub Scouts and in 1971 joined as a Boy Scout in St. Teresa's 
Catholic Church Troup 3 where he would earn several awards and 
distinctions. Additionally, Michael attended high school in Albany and 
went on to earn a degree in Architecture from Auburn University.
  After achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in 1977, Michael continued 
his servant leadership within the Scouting community by serving as a 
Troop 3 Assistant Scoutmaster from 1985 to 1990, and then as 
Scoutmaster in 1990, a position he still holds today. Throughout his 
life in Scouting, he has been revered as a steadfast mentor and 
positive influence on the hundreds of young people who have passed 
through his troop. It was important to Michael that all Scouts had the 
opportunity to experience trips to BSA's National Jamborees, summer 
camps, and other high adventures activities, and he personally made 
sure that funding was never an issue for them to attend. And notably, 
of the 194 Eagle Scouts from Troop 3, 145 achieved the rank under 
Michael's leadership, affirming his record of dedication to each of 
these young people as they completed service projects to improve their 
neighborhoods and the greater community.
  Michael demonstrates impeccable community leadership in so many ways. 
He currently serves as a Leader in Boy Scouts of America's South 
Georgia Council, which is comprised of 28 counties in the region. As 
the Vice President of Properties for the South Georgia Council, he 
spearheaded the efforts to restore the Council's 2 Scout camps 
following damage sustained by three tornadoes and a hurricane in 2017 
and 2018. He also leads by example by participating in many community 
service projects, such as Flint River Cleanups with Keep Albany-
Dougherty Beautiful; food drives to support St. Clare's Neighbors in 
Need; Christmas tree recycling with the YMCA and the City of Albany; 
parking cars for Phoebe events; and supporting the Exchange Club's car 
shows. But his dedication goes beyond community service and mentoring 
youth and young professionals; Michael's strong faith in God led him to 
contribute greatly to the spiritual development of countless young men 
and women. As Scoutmaster, he initiated a program that dedicates at 
least one weekly meeting each month for Scouts to work toward religious 
awards appropriate for their age and denominations.
  It is because of Michael's commitment to his Scouts and the 
betterment of his community that he has been recognized with numerous 
awards and distinctions. As a Cub Scout, he earned the Arrow of Light 
rank--the only Cub Scout award that can be worn once a Scout enters Boy 
Scouts. While a Boy Scout, he achieved membership in the Immokalee 
Lodge, Order of the Arrow, and the Ad Altare Dei religious award, as 
well as earning the rank of Eagle Scout. As an adult, Michael received 
BSA's District Award of Merit; has been awarded the St. George 
Religious Emblem for his service to youth; was honored by the Blue 
Angels as one of their Hometown Heroes; the Silver Beaver; Outstanding 
Eagle recognition; and most recently, the Book of Golden Deeds Award, 
which is the most prestigious award presented by the Albany Exchange 
Club.
  Former Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm once said that ``Service is the 
rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' 
Michael has paid his rent many times over and continues to give back to 
the community that raised him. As a member of the American Cancer 
Society, he was a Captain on the American Cancer Relay for Life Team, a 
member of the Albany Clean Community Commission and American Institute 
of Architects. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Lodge 
Number 3607 and attends St. Teresa's Catholic Church in Albany.
  Michael has served countless people and accomplished many things 
throughout his life, but none of these could have been possible without 
his faith, the love and support of his wife of 36 years, Linda, and 
their four children--Patrick, Ivy, Hope, and Grant. Being a family 
rooted in community involvement, Linda Johnson was for many years an 
elementary school teacher and now serves as the Assistant Principal at 
St. Teresa's school, while both Patrick and Grant have earned the rank 
of Eagle Scout, following in their father's footsteps.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, 
along with the more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional 
District, in extending our sincerest appreciation and best wishes to 
Michael A. Johnson upon the occasion of his retirement from his over 
three decades of service to the community through Scouting, youth 
mentoring, and servant leadership, all of which has improved the lives 
of so many.

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