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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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