[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20607]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN LASTING MEMORY OF JOHN H. JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2005

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and 
legacy of John H. Johnson. Born in 1918 in Arkansas City, AR, Mr. 
Johnson passed away on August 8 at the age of 87. Mr. Johnson has set 
an example for us all by being both an entrepreneur and a 
philanthropist. I would like to recognize Mr. Johnson's lifetime of 
contributions to Arkansas and our Nation.
  Mr. Johnson began his distinguished career in 1942 as editor and 
publisher of Negro Digest. Just 3 years later, he began publishing 
Ebony Magazine, one of the most influential African-American magazines 
in the world, with a $500 loan. Mr. Johnson later became the founder, 
publisher, and chairman of Johnson Publishing Company, the world's 
largest African-American owned publishing company.
  In 1982, Mr. Johnson was the first African-American to be named on 
the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest Americans. Mr. Johnson's long 
list of awards and achievements include: the Black Journalists' 
Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987, the Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones 
Entrepreneurial Excellence Award in 1993, the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom in 1996--the highest honor this Nation gives to a citizen, the 
Arkansas Business Hall of Fame Award in 2001, the Vanguard Award in 
2002, and the Trumpet Award in 2002.
  Arkansas City and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff have 
worked together to create the John H. Johnson Cultural and Education 
Museum. On May 21 of this year, this museum was dedicated in Desha 
County, AR. The museum captures Mr. Johnson's life by restoring his 
boyhood home and includes period memorabilia, printed material, and 
video chronicles. I know it was a tremendous honor for Mr. Johnson to 
return to his home and see the great tribute dedicated in his honor.
  I am deeply saddened by Mr. Johnson's death. His dedication, 
entrepreneurial spirit, and legacy will continue in Arkansas for the 
years and decades ahead. My heartfelt condolences go to his wife, 
Eunice, and their daughter, Linda Johnson Rice, and their 
granddaughter, Alexa Rice.

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