[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 21, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E234-E235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF RICHARD JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 21, 2023

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard Johnson, 
who retires this March from 42 years of consummate service to the Town 
of Glastonbury--nearly 30 of which have been as Town Manager. Richard's 
leadership has helped Glastonbury maintain its standing as a highly 
successful community in Connecticut, which I am proud to say has a 
large footprint in the Second District of Connecticut as a result of 
redistricting under the 2020 census. I have had the pleasure of knowing 
of Town Manager Johnson's work over the years as a Member of Congress, 
a state legislator and a town attorney from the neighboring town of 
Vernon and can personally attest to his dedication to the Town of 
Glastonbury.
  Born in Avon, Richard has always been a true-blue, central 
Connecticut native and was destined to serve one of that region's many 
thriving communities. Armed with a Connecticut education--a bachelor's 
from Southern Connecticut State University and an MBA from the 
University of Connecticut--Richard was uniquely equipped to ensure 
Glastonbury's upward trajectory. Richard's career with the Town of 
Glastonbury began in 1980, first as Glastonbury's Parks and Recreation 
Director and then as Assistant Town Manger. With nearly 13 years of 
experience, he was appointed to the permanent position of Town Manager 
in 1993. Since becoming Town Manager, he has become an institution of 
knowledge in service of the town's interests.
  As Town Manager, Richard has worked with 15 town councils, including 
some 50 community leaders. Richard brokered more than 60 land 
acquisitions and preservation projects, totaling more than 2,500 acres, 
that in his words, ``helps shape the community, preserves our farms, 
open spaces, and riverfront land''. Under his visionary leadership, the 
town acquired and converted brownfields into what is now the iconic 
Riverfront Park and Riverfront Community Center and Boathouse, the very 
location where his retirement celebration is to be held. His 
persistence and tenacity over the years also must not go unappreciated. 
For example, he recently helped the town achieve a multigenerational 
goal by way of the acquisition of a roughly 540-acre property, 
previously owned by the Metropolitan District Commission. Town Manager 
Johnson's leadership in this land acquisition demonstrates the strength 
of Glastonbury's officials and process, setting an example that ought 
to be emulated across the state and nation.
  Richard has also famously worked to strengthen the town's capital 
improvement program, which led to its receiving of an AAA bond rating 
from both Standard and Poor's and Moody's Investors Service. These 
ratings have and will continue to bolster Glastonbury's ability to 
attract capital for municipal projects well beyond his retirement. As 
Glastonbury's steward for more than a generation, countless projects 
under Richard have rightfully been recognized on the national and local 
level.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Johnson's unwavering loyalty to and love for the 
Town of Glastonbury public has made him a fearless leader and honorable 
civil servant. Throughout his tenure, the town has been recognized with 
accolades including the Engineering Excellence Award, the National 
Recreation and Park Association's Innovation in Park Design Award, 
Climate Leader Designation, Nationally Accredited Police Department, 
and countless others. Richard's conscientious approach to leadership 
has forged him into the epitome of a good public servant. Though 
Glastonbury is

[[Page E235]]

losing an institution of 42 years, we know that his contributions and 
mindful leadership have set Glastonbury forward for a new era of 
uncontented success. To that end, Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues 
in the House join me in congratulating Richard Johnson on a well-earned 
retirement, thanking him and his family for his life of service.

                          ____________________