[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING FRED JOSEPH JOHNSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2024

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fred 
Joseph Johnson, Jr., on the occasion of his recognition as a 2024 
Southern University at New Orleans Center for African and African 
American Studies Living Legend. Mr. Johnson is receiving this high 
honor because of his dedicated service to the citizens of New Orleans.
  For over 30 years, Mr. Johnson has dedicated his life to counseling 
families and individuals in the process of becoming and maintaining the 
rights, responsibilities, and privileges of homeownership. In 1993, Mr 
Johnson served as a co-founder of The Black Men of Labor Parade Club. 
BMOL focus is on preserving the history and culture of traditional jazz 
music, which is passed on from generation to generation, seeking to 
preserve traditional New Orleans Jazz by hiring musicians that play New 
Orleans Jazz Music as it was performed by such great Brass Bands as the 
Olympia, the Onward, the Tuxedo and the Eureka.
  Fred J. Johnson, Jr. is known best as a community and cultural 
activist who focuses on creating social change. He has been employed 
with the Neighborhood Development Foundation since its inception in 
1986 and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in 2009. He remains 
committed to directly serving the needs of clients in asset building 
through the homeownership process. As a counselor and advocate for 
homeownership who has a no-nonsense delivery of the message, he is 
often asked to deliver that message by participating in numerous 
community lectures, forums, and television and radio talk show 
appearances.
  As a counselor, Mr. Johnson provides housing and financial counseling 
to individuals and families seeking to build their assets through the 
purchase of property. He assists clients in the development of action 
plans to build their assets and resolve credit issues and advocating 
for clients throughout the entire home purchase process. Moreover, Mr. 
Johnson provides educational services to non-profit organizations and 
businesses around the country to enable them to provide those same 
services to their communities. As a housing advocate, Mr. Johnson 
participates in several housing organizations that shape housing 
policies and the industry that is responsible for its governance. He is 
presently the President of the Louisiana Housing Education 
Collaborative and a Board Member of the Greater New Orleans Housing 
Alliance.
  I am humbled to know and call him a personal friend. Fred is such a 
great man who has done so much to improve the lives of countless 
residents across my district. We are so honored to have Mr. Johnson, a 
true advocate for mankind.

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