[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 166 (Friday, October 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE CAREER OF JOHN WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 21, 2022

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Walker, a 
Central Valley born photojournalist who dedicated his career to 
documenting the world around us. John used his craft and camera lens to 
capture the joys and sorrows of our community and tell countless 
stories that helped emotionally connect us all.
  John's passion for photography developed alongside his father's, who 
was an amateur photographer. When John was a sophomore in high school, 
his dad bought him his first camera and turned one of the rooms in 
their house into a darkroom. His father helped him develop his 
photography skills.
  After graduating from Fresno State University with a degree in 
journalism, John got his first newspaper job in 1980 at the Mesa 
Tribune in Arizona. In 1985, the Fresno Bee offered John a position and 
he spent the next 37 years as a photojournalist.
  John's work is well respected and has received acclaim. He's won many 
awards, including picture of the year from the National Photographers 
Press Association, Society of Newspaper Design, Best of the West, and 
California Newspaper Publishers Association. His work has appeared in 
newspapers across the United States and published in Time Magazine, 
Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated.
  In his 42-year career in journalism, John had to evolve along with 
new technology. He started out shooting film and developing images in a 
darkroom, transitioned to digital photos and continued to adapt his 
storytelling abilities through in-depth video stories.
  John's success in photojournalism comes from his deep understanding 
of people and the power of pictures to tell a story. He has the ability 
to communicate across language barriers, cultural and political 
differences. He cares about the people and places he photographs--it's 
that empathetic approach that captured readers attention and brought 
our community to life.
  I invite everyone to celebrate John's career with me. May his work 
continue to inspire future journalists to tell meaningful stories and 
shed light on areas of improvement in society. His images preserve the 
history of the San Joaquin Valley and offer an empathic perspective 
that we should forever cherish.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the career 
of John Walker. May we continue to be inspired by work. His photographs 
are an outstanding source of pride for the Central Valley.

                          ____________________