[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10649]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING PHIL JOHNSON, ATMORE'S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a distinguished 
citizen of South Alabama for his exemplary service to our region and 
his community. I am pleased to note that Phil Johnson was recently 
named Atmore, Alabama's 2010 Citizen of the Year.
  If a leader is someone who is willing to give of himself in order to 
benefit society, then Phil Johnson certainly fits the definition of a 
leader. His stamp on Atmore and surrounding Escambia County is his 
legacy of developing local arts programs and inspiring a passion for 
the arts among our young people.
  Ten years ago, Mr. Johnson played a leading role in founding the 
Greater Escambia Council for the Arts (GECA) and has been instrumental 
in raising awareness for the arts throughout his community.
  Mr. Johnson has also performed in, directed, and produced an 
exceptional number of performances, and helped secure a theater in 
downtown Atmore.
  Thanks to Mr. Johnson's vision and dedication, the residents of 
Atmore and Escambia County have enormous opportunities in the arts. 
From actors to playgoers to the young people who have become involved 
in the arts for the first time, many have benefited from Mr. Johnson's 
work and achievements.
  Mr. Speaker, as you know, the arts serve a vital role in our 
communities, and they can have an especially large impact in small 
towns like Atmore.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Johnson for his 
remarkable service, and to join the people of Atmore in recognizing the 
great difference he has made in that community.

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