[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  RECOGNIZING THE REVEREND DR. EUGENE JOHNSON ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
           RETIREMENT AS PASTOR OF MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2023

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Reverend Dr. 
Eugene Johnson on his retirement after 30 years of faithful leadership 
at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Centreville, Virginia. Mount Olive 
Baptist Church has served the spiritual needs of those in the 
Centreville and Northern Virginia communities for nearly 120 years, and 
Dr. Johnson's leadership has positioned this institution for another 
century of success.
  Rev. Dr. Eugene Johnson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and 
raised in nearby Oakville. His father was a minister and his mother 
worked avidly for the good of the community. Dr. Johnson received a 
Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Southern University, Baton Rouge, 
in 1970. He earned his Master of Divinity Degree at Howard University 
in 1989, and in 2006, the Richmond Virginia Seminary conferred on him 
the prestigious Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree for his exemplary 
leadership and service.
  Before assuming full-time pastoral duties, Dr. Johnson was known as a 
national expert in design, art, and architecture. He served as the 
principle Resident Architect with the Federal Highway Administration 
and was credited as being the first African American in many of the 
agency's national accomplishments. Dr. Johnson has been recognized for 
his efforts that resulted in the designation of ``All-American Road'' 
to the historic Selma-to-Montgomery March for Voting Rights route. This 
march, led by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., began on March 
21, 1965, with 3,200 marchers. Four days later, on March 25, 1965, 
25,000 marchers had joined.
  In 1992, Dr. Eugene Johnson assumed the leadership of Mount Olive 
Baptist Church. Under his guidance, the Church has experienced 
unprecedented growth in not only the number of members, but also in its 
activities and influence. Membership has increased nearly ten-fold from 
250 members in 1992 to more than 2,000 today, including many young 
people.
  Dr. Johnson inspired his congregation with his timely sermons and his 
compassion for all people in every aspect of their lives. In the midst 
of a global pandemic, Dr. Johnson led Mount Olive Baptist Church in 
continuing the good works of ministering to the hopeless, caring for 
the sick and shut-in, providing food for the hungry, and speaking up 
for the voiceless. He truly embodied the congregation's core values of 
community and service throughout this unprecedented time.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Rev. 
Dr. Eugene Johnson on this momentous occasion, and in commending him 
for his service to Mount Olive Baptist Church and our community.

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