[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20049]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MRS. BILLIE JOHNSON'S ADMISSION TO THE OHIO WOMEN'S HALL OF 
                                  FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2008

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today with pride to recognize the 
entry into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame of Billie Johnson of my 
District. Mrs. Johnson is a founder of the Area Office on Aging of 
Northwest Ohio. She has been a leader of elder and women's issues 
throughout her accomplished career.
  Billie Johnson can claim many ``firsts'': she was the first African 
American elected Governor of Zonta International--District 5, Ohio, 
West Virginia and Kentucky; she was the first African American woman 
elected to the Board of Directors of National City Bank; she was 
appointed by former Governor James A. Rhodes to serve two terms on one 
of Ohio's first Women's Advisory Boards to recognize the achievements 
of women throughout the state and to improve opportunities and 
employment for women; she organized efforts to incorporate under Ohio 
law the first regional, non-profit office on aging in northwest Ohio; 
she launched the first SeniorNet Program in northwest Ohio--an 
affiliate of national SeniorNet Inc--that helped older citizens learn 
how to use computers and navigate the internet; fostered the 
development of the first information and assistance programs in Lucas 
County for grandparents and other kin who are raising children; she 
established the first Elder Friendly Program for Toledo--affiliated 
with the national Elder Friendly Program--with the assistance of the 
former Toledo Mayor Jack Ford, to help improve services and 
accessibility for older citizens shopping in retail stores and local 
businesses; she fostered the creation of a Senior Safety program for 
older citizens; and she spearheaded the organization of the first 
campaign to get a Senior Citizens Tax Levy on the ballot in Lucas 
County to help increase meals for homebound elders, expand home care 
for the sick and frail elderly, provide more services of Alzheimer's 
patients and their caregivers, and expand services for senior centers.
  Billie Johnson is widely regarded by her colleagues in the aging 
network. Her leadership fosters a spirit of cooperation, allegiance and 
loyalty which is rare. Evidence of her skill is the development of a 
master plan, in cooperation with many partners, for the re-use of the 
42 acres of county-owned land surrounding the Area Office on Aging into 
a comprehensive, continuing care complex for older adults. As the Area 
Office on Aging's first and only Executive Director for three decades, 
Mrs. Johnson has helped in the creation and development of many senior 
centers, nutrition sites for seniors, transportation programs, health 
services, adult day care programs, home care, and numerous other 
services for older adults. She has been an advisor, consultant and 
speaker for numerous local, state, national and international 
organizations and agencies serving older persons including: Iowa 
Commission on Aging, Ohio Department of Aging, National Church 
Residences, National Council on Aging/NISH, National Caucus and Center 
on Black Aged, Gerontology Program for the University of Toledo, and 
numerous Area Agencies on Aging located in Michigan, Ohio, Kansas and 
Iowa. She was even selected to participate in the United Nations World 
Conference on Women Forum in 1985 in Nairobi, Kenya. The International 
Federation on Aging later published excerpts of her white paper in a 
book entitled: ``Global Aging.''
  More important than any professional achievement, Billie Johnson has 
carried forward the lessons learned at her grandmother's knee as she 
inspires and teaches her own daughter and granddaughters. She guides 
them in proud tradition and shows them by example how to be strong 
women in their own right.
  I have counted on Billie Johnson's wise counsel throughout the years, 
as have many others in our region. She is a compassionate, caring, and 
dynamic woman, and a fine example to all as a Member of the Ohio 
Women's Hall of Fame. I know I join with many across our state when I 
offer my warmest and heartfelt Congratulations!

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