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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING BRUCE JOHNSON
______
HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
of district of columbia
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 23, 2020
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding
achievements of Bruce Johnson, who will retire on December 31, 2020,
after 44 years as a distinguished television news anchor and reporter.
I have worked with Bruce Johnson ever since being elected to Congress
and will miss his heavy hitting questions and incisive reporting.
Bruce Johnson has won 22 Emmys, is a member of the Society of
Professional Journalists Hall of Fame, the Washington, DC Hall of Fame
and will soon be inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame at
the University of Kentucky. He has also received the Ted Yates Award
and the NATAS Board of Governors Award and is a member of the National
Association of Black Journalists and the National Press Club.
Throughout his career with WUSA9, a CBS affiliate in the District of
Columbia, Bruce Johnson has reported on stories ranging from local D.C.
news to federal matters, from the local real estate market to
government shutdowns and from D.C.'s mistreatment in the CARES Act to
violence on the streets of D.C. During Johnson's distinguished career,
he has shed light on difficult topics for his audience in D.C. and
across the nation.
Bruce Johnson's career took him from his hometown of Louisville,
Kentucky to places as far away as Rome, Bangkok, Dakar and Tokyo on
special assignments for WUSA9. Even before the international chapter of
his career, Johnson made a name for himself in D.C. by reporting on
notable stories, including the 1982 Metro train derailment and the 1977
Hanafi Siege, in which 142 people were held hostage by 12 gunmen
leading to the deaths of two individuals.
Bruce Johnson endured a difficult blow from a heart attack in 1992
while on assignment in Southeast D.C. His journey back to health
included completing the Marine Corps Marathon. In 2018, he was dealt a
second blow when he was diagnosed with cancer. He responded to these
illnesses as a true reporter, taking Americans along with him to help
provide clarity on difficult experiences. Johnson stayed true to his
honest reporting even when he became the story. He is the author of two
books. The first, entitled Heart to Heart, was inspired by his heart
attack, and the second, All or Nothing, was an expose on the life of
D.C. basketball player Victor Page.
I have known Bruce my entire career, and I had hoped that he would
remain at Channel 9 as long as I remained in Congress. Bruce commented
once during an interview that he covered my first congressional
campaign. Having been on his show many times to discuss issues that
affect D.C. residents, I have grown to consider Bruce a friend. He has
helped tell the story of D.C. 's challenges and triumphs and lent his
platform and voice to the fight for congressional equality for the
District.
Bruce's demeanor and his down-to-earth, relatable storytelling will
be missed on the air as he goes on to pursue other accomplishments in
the next chapter of his life. I ask the House of Representatives to
join me in recognizing Bruce Johnson for his distinguished career in
journalism. I wish him the very best in the years to come.
____________________
