[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 146 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO PAT JOHNSON

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise to honor the achievements 
of Pat Johnson of Pocahontas, AR.
  As a lifelong resident of Randolph County, Pat has made it her 
mission to preserve local Black history.
  There is no better example than her vision and leadership in creating 
the Eddie Mae Herron Center, a space that allows residents to connect 
with the past and learn about the contributions of African-Americans to 
our Nation's fabric.
  Located in a former Black church and segregated one-room schoolhouse, 
the center is named after Eddie Mae Herron, Pat's teacher when she was 
a student at the school. That is a testament to the impact of a single 
educator on the lives of so many young Arkansans, helping inspire 
lifelong learning and appreciation for African-American culture.
  What stands out to me is Pat's determination and dedication in her 
pursuit to expose more and more in her community to its history--
because embracing the past gives future generations a better 
understanding about the experiences and influences of their ancestors. 
Through artifacts, exhibits and pictures, Pat Johnson is uplifting the 
stories of the men and women whose legacies still shape life there 
today, as well as impact our country.
  For more than two decades, she has devoted her life to educating her 
family, friends, and neighbors about the path of nearly 200 years of 
African-American history and culture in northeast Arkansas, and she 
isn't letting her foot off the gas. I appreciate her tireless work to 
curate these stories, traditions, and heritage that might otherwise be 
lost to history.
  She is most deserving of the Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage 
Fellowship for her years of active engagement and leadership.
  I am confident she will continue to play a critical role in 
preserving the past to educate the future.
  I proudly celebrate her contributions to her community, the State of 
Arkansas, and our country as we congratulate her on this tremendous 
honor.

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