[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20246]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  0000
                         HONORING RUFUS JOHNSON

  (Mr. CONAWAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to speak in recognition of 
the accomplishments of Rufus Johnson of Kerrville, Texas. Of African 
American and Cherokee descent, Mr. Johnson was born in Maryland in May 
of 1911 and faced adversity at a very early age. He lost his mother 
when he was 4 years old, but he never allowed any situation to dictate 
his path.
  After his mother passed away, Mr. Johnson was sent to live with his 
aunt and uncle in Pennsylvania. As a boy in Pennsylvania, he was 
forbidden to swim in the city pool. This cost him the much-coveted Boy 
Scouts of America Eagle rank because he could not earn the swimming 
merit badge. Mr. Johnson never forgot this missed opportunity; and, 
ironically, it was this missed opportunity that led him on his path to 
historical significance.
  Among his many life achievements, Mr. Johnson worked in the White 
House of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, served in the United 
States Army during World War II, and became a successful attorney.
  Immediately after enrolling at Howard University in Washington, D.C., 
he joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps, took swimming lessons 
and became a certified lifeguard.
  Mr. Johnson's certification won him a job as the White House pool 
lifeguard during FDR's Presidency. Having earned the respect and 
admiration of FDR, Mr. Johnson became his butler as well, a position 
that often included lifting the President from his chair. Mr. Johnson 
recalls with great respect the pride and independence of President 
Roosevelt.
  Mr. Johnson earned a place in White House history when a bowl of soup 
on a tray he was carrying tipped over and spilled on the President's 
lap. According to Mr. Johnson, it was Roosevelt himself who 
intentionally, but secretly, tipped the tray and caused the bowl to 
land on himself during the meeting. Mr. Johnson said FDR continued the 
conversation without pause and earned the respect of his adversary 
sitting at the dinner table with him.
  When First Lady Roosevelt learned that Mr. Johnson was preparing to 
take the bar exam, she had a desk set up in the White House to allow 
him to study for 2 hours every day.
  In October of 1942, he was called to active duty as a captain in the 
92nd Infantry Division of African American soldiers. Mr. Johnson earned 
the admiration and respect of all who served with him and was awarded 
the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantry Badge, and 
received a special regimental citation for bravery. He was called to 
duty and served again during the Korean war, where he attained the rank 
of lieutenant colonel.
  After his service in the military, Mr. Johnson set up a law practice 
in California and also performed pro bono work. He argued successfully 
before the California Supreme Court in defense of the first amendment 
rights of American Indians. He won the decision, and it still stands 
today.
  Mr. Johnson relocated to Kerrville in 1994, where he still resides 
with his stepdaughter, Yvonne Smith. He turned 95 last May, and the 
Texas State Legislature and the White House paid tribute to him on his 
birthday. Tonight, I pay tribute to Rufus Johnson for his years of 
service to our Nation. He is a respected member of his community, and 
he has a life story that deserves to be remembered.

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