[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E101-E102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. RUBYE J. JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 6, 2025

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary 
leader, a dedicated educator, and a tireless advocate for social 
justice. Dr. Rubye J. Johnson departed this life on January 30, 2025. 
She leaves behind an indelible mark on the state of South Carolina and 
beyond.
  Dr. Johnson was born in Lancaster, South Carolina, on December 25, 
1930. From an early age, she demonstrated a keen intellect and an 
unwavering commitment to education. She graduated as valedictorian of 
her class at Lancaster Training School in 1949 before earning her 
degree in English from Benedict College, where she graduated cum laude 
in 1953. She later pursued advanced studies at Columbia University's 
Teachers College. Her academic excellence was later recognized with 
honorary doctorate degrees from Benedict College and Faith Grant 
College.
  Dr. Johnson's devotion to education was not merely an academic 
pursuit--it was a lifelong mission. She began her career as an English 
teacher, shaping young minds in the public schools of Lancaster, 
Clarendon, and Sumter counties. Her passion for education and advocacy 
led her to serve as President of the South Carolina Classroom Teachers' 
Association. Dr. Johnson's impact extended far beyond the classroom. In 
1967, she embraced the call to public service, joining the national 
``War on Poverty'' movement as Assistant Director of the Sumter County 
Economic Opportunity Corporation, later known as Wateree Community 
Actions, Inc. (WCAI).
  For 33 years, Dr. Johnson served as Executive Director of WCAT, where 
she spearheaded transformative programs that improved the lives of 
thousands. One of her proudest achievements was founding Sumter 
County's first Summer Head Start Program in 1965 and later expanding it 
into a year-round initiative for preschoolers across the region. Under 
her leadership, Head Start services flourished, ensuring that children 
from low-income families had access to quality early childhood 
education. Recognizing the broader needs of her community, she also 
pioneered South Carolina's first rural transit system, ``Operation Bus 
Stop,'' which laid the foundation for the Santee Wateree Regional 
Transportation Authority.
  Dr. Johnson's visionary leadership did not go unnoticed. In 2005, she 
was awarded the Order of the Palmetto--the highest civilian honor one 
can receive from the State of South Carolina. She co-founded and led 
numerous organizations, including the Sumter Phillip Rembert Tuskegee 
Airman, Inc., the South Carolina Employee Health and Welfare Insurance 
Company, and the South Carolina Association of Community Action 
Partnerships. Her service extended into civic engagement as an

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active member of the NAACP, the Democratic National Committee, and the 
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she celebrated 75 years of 
membership as a distinguished Diamond member.
  Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Johnson was a woman of deep 
faith. She was a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal 
Church, serving in various leadership roles at Mount Pisgah AME in 
Sumter. Her faith was the foundation of her work, guiding her 
unwavering dedication to justice, education, and service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in celebrating 
the life of Dr. Rubye J. Johnson. She was a trailblazer who not only 
broke barriers but built bridges for future generations to cross. Her 
influence will be felt for years to come through the programs she 
established, the lives she touched, and the example she set. May her 
legacy continue to inspire us, and may she rest in peace.

                          ____________________