IN RECOGNITION OF THE HONORABLE LEROY JOHNSON
April 2, 2020
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
work and service of a prominent attorney, exemplary civil rights
leader, and former Georgia State Senator, the Honorable Leroy Reginald
Johnson. Senator Johnson will be honored at the 18th Annual Justice
Robert Benham Awards for Community Service on Tuesday, February 28,
2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. Senator Johnson will be awarded the Lifetime
Achievement Award, the highest recognition given by the State Bar of
Georgia and the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism to a
lawyer or judge who has demonstrated an extraordinarily long and
distinguished commitment to volunteer participation in the community
throughout his or her legal career.
work and service of a prominent attorney, exemplary civil rights
leader, and former Georgia State Senator, the Honorable Leroy Reginald
Johnson. Senator Johnson will be honored at the 18th Annual Justice
Robert Benham Awards for Community Service on Tuesday, February 28,
2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. Senator Johnson will be awarded the Lifetime
Achievement Award, the highest recognition given by the State Bar of
Georgia and the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism to a
lawyer or judge who has demonstrated an extraordinarily long and
distinguished commitment to volunteer participation in the community
throughout his or her legal career.
Leroy Reginald Johnson was born on July 28, 1928 in Atlanta, Georgia.
He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1945. He went on
to earn a bachelor's degree from Morehouse College in 1949 and a
master's degree from Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University)
in 1951. From 1950 to 1954, Senator Johnson taught social science in
the Atlanta school system. He then enrolled in law school at North
Carolina Central University, earning his law degree in 1957.
He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1945. He went on
to earn a bachelor's degree from Morehouse College in 1949 and a
master's degree from Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University)
in 1951. From 1950 to 1954, Senator Johnson taught social science in
the Atlanta school system. He then enrolled in law school at North
Carolina Central University, earning his law degree in 1957.
Following his graduation from law school, Fulton County hired him as
a criminal investigator, the first African American to be hired by the
solicitor general's office (now the district attorney's office). As the
Civil Rights Movement ramped up, he became involved in demonstrations
and protests. When black college students conducted mass sit-ins at
Rich's Department Store lunch counters in October 1960, he was present
as one of the several community leaders advising the students, who
included Julian Bond.
a criminal investigator, the first African American to be hired by the
solicitor general's office (now the district attorney's office). As the
Civil Rights Movement ramped up, he became involved in demonstrations
and protests. When black college students conducted mass sit-ins at
Rich's Department Store lunch counters in October 1960, he was present
as one of the several community leaders advising the students, who
included Julian Bond.
In 1962, he was elected to the Georgia State Senate, making him the
first African American to be elected to the Georgia General Assembly
since the end of the Reconstruction Era. He was also the first African
American elected to public office in the Southeast United Mates that
year. In the beginning, Senator Johnson faced many obstacles due to
segregation but rose above the adversity, becoming an influential
lawmaker and attaining the position of chairman of the Judiciary
Committee.
first African American to be elected to the Georgia General Assembly
since the end of the Reconstruction Era. He was also the first African
American elected to public office in the Southeast United Mates that
year. In the beginning, Senator Johnson faced many obstacles due to
segregation but rose above the adversity, becoming an influential
lawmaker and attaining the position of chairman of the Judiciary
Committee.
All the while, Senator Johnson has maintained a successful law
practice. He was the driving force in getting the legendary Muhammad
Ali's boxing license reinstated in 1970. Ali had been stripped of his
boxing license in the prime of his career due to his opposition to the
Vietnam War. After big cities across the country refused to host a
match in which Ali would participate, Senator Johnson offered Atlanta
as a location where the fight could take place. Senator Johnson fought
behind the scenes to get state and local officials to agree so that
ultimately, Muhammad Ali could fight inside the ring in a match that
would lead the way for Ali to eventually reclaim the heavyweight crown.
practice. He was the driving force in getting the legendary Muhammad
Ali's boxing license reinstated in 1970. Ali had been stripped of his
boxing license in the prime of his career due to his opposition to the
Vietnam War. After big cities across the country refused to host a
match in which Ali would participate, Senator Johnson offered Atlanta
as a location where the fight could take place. Senator Johnson fought
behind the scenes to get state and local officials to agree so that
ultimately, Muhammad Ali could fight inside the ring in a match that
would lead the way for Ali to eventually reclaim the heavyweight crown.
Over the years, Senator Johnson received many awards and accolades
for his legal, political, and social work. In 1996, his portrait was
hung on the third floor of the State Capitol near the Senate chamber
where he served for twelve years. In 2000, the Senate passed a
resolution renaming a portion of Fulton Industrial Boulevard as Leroy
Johnson-Fulton Industrial Boulevard. Senator Johnson has accomplished
much in his life but none of this would be possible without the love
and support of his wife, Cleopatra, and son, Michael Vince.
for his legal, political, and social work. In 1996, his portrait was
hung on the third floor of the State Capitol near the Senate chamber
where he served for twelve years. In 2000, the Senate passed a
resolution renaming a portion of Fulton Industrial Boulevard as Leroy
Johnson-Fulton Industrial Boulevard. Senator Johnson has accomplished
much in his life but none of this would be possible without the love
and support of his wife, Cleopatra, and son, Michael Vince.
On a personal note, I have had the great pleasure of knowing Senator
Johnson since high school in 1964 when he spoke in Montgomery, Alabama
at the Alabama State Association of Student Councils' meeting where I
was presiding as State Student Council President. I was inspired by
this successful lawyer and public official and was motivated to emulate
his career path. I became a lawyer and twelve years after meeting him,
I was elected to the Georgia General Assembly and later, to the U.S.
Congress. I have truly been blessed by Senator Johnson's friendship,
counsel and mentorship throughout the years.
Johnson since high school in 1964 when he spoke in Montgomery, Alabama
at the Alabama State Association of Student Councils' meeting where I
was presiding as State Student Council President. I was inspired by
this successful lawyer and public official and was motivated to emulate
his career path. I became a lawyer and twelve years after meeting him,
I was elected to the Georgia General Assembly and later, to the U.S.
Congress. I have truly been blessed by Senator Johnson's friendship,
counsel and mentorship throughout the years.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and my wife, Vivian, and
the people of the state of Georgia, in honoring former State Senator
Leroy Johnson for his outstanding professional achievements and
service. We congratulate Senator Johnson on receiving the Justice
Robert Benham Lifetime Achievement Award.
the people of the state of Georgia, in honoring former State Senator
Leroy Johnson for his outstanding professional achievements and
service. We congratulate Senator Johnson on receiving the Justice
Robert Benham Lifetime Achievement Award.