[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11012]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MRS. ANITA JOHNSON TO THE HOUSE OF 
                            REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 17, 2017

  Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf 
of the Financial Services Committee, its Chairman, Mr. Hensarling, and 
the U.S. House of Representatives, as I pay tribute to one of the 
hardest working and dedicated employees this House has ever known.
  Mr. Speaker, for over 30 years Anita L. Johnson has served this 
chamber with distinction, undeniable integrity, humility, kindness, 
grace, and skill. For the past several years, she has worked ably and 
diligently as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Democratic Staff 
of the Financial Services Committee.
  Mrs. Johnson began her career on Capitol Hill in 1982 as the Office 
Manager and Personal Assistant to then-Congressman Harold Ford, Sr. In 
1986 she became Office Manager and Personal Assistant to Congressman 
Sandy Levin.
  Although her husband's transfer relocated Mrs. Johnson away from 
Capitol Hill and back to her home town of Memphis, Tennessee, for three 
years, she returned to the Hill in 1989. For the next decade, she 
served as Executive Assistant and Clerk for the Education and Labor 
Committee Democrats. In 1999, she became the Chief Administrative 
Officer and Clerk for Democrats on the Judiciary Committee--a position 
she held for twelve years.
  In 2013, Mrs. Johnson joined the Financial Services Committee and has 
remained the Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk until her 
retirement today.
  From my time on the Judiciary Committee and as Ranking Member of the 
Financial Services Committee I have personally come to know Anita 
Johnson. She is a tireless and relentless worker, an excellent multi-
tasker, doing whatever it takes to accomplish tasks both large and 
small. When everyone else is stressed because of the pressure, she 
remains calm.
  She is a true professional, whose expertise, integrity; dedication 
and commitment have served as an example to her peers and colleagues. 
Her willingness to go the extra mile, her insights and opinions have 
been extremely valuable to the successful undertakings of each office 
she has served--especially my own.
  She has flawlessly maintained budgets totaling millions of dollars, 
ensured the smooth running of each office in which she worked; 
skillfully clerked dozens of markups, and provided valuable assistance 
to myself, other Members, and staff.
  Prior to her time on the Hill, Mrs. Johnson was an educator teaching 
at Wooddale Senior High School (Memphis, TN); Hazelwood Senior High 
School (St. Louis, MO); Ivanna Eudora Kean High School (St. Thomas, 
USVI); and, Savannah Area Vocational Technical School (Savannah, GA). 
Additionally, Anita has been a member of the Washington Performing Arts 
Society Men and Women of the Gospel for years; and, has performed at 
the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall; TNT's ``Christmas in Washington''; 
and, the Kennedy Center Honors. With the Trinity Choir at Alfred Street 
Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia, Anita has also performed in 
Austria, Italy, Germany, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
  On behalf of the Financial Services Committee, its staff, and this 
distinguished body, we would like to thank Anita for her commitment to 
the U.S. House of Representatives and her exemplary service to this 
nation. Her humility, integrity, generosity, loyalty, sense of humor 
and professionalism will be sorely missed. She has served as a 
cherished colleague, mentor and friend to many present and former Hill 
staff members. We wish her the best of luck and extend to her our 
deepest gratitude as she leaves Capitol Hill.

                          ____________________