[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 27 (Monday, March 5, 2001)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E273] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CARL JOHNSON ______ HON. ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. of maryland in the house of representatives Monday, March 5, 2001 Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to Carl Johnson, a man who dedicated nearly his entire adult life in selfless, heroic service to the impoverished and sometimes war-torn African nation of Burundi. For more than 55 years, Carl and his wife Eleanor along with their seven children, have dedicated their time, talents, energy, and most of all, their hearts to the people of a continent far away from the comforts of their Maryland home. On February 3, 2001, in Burundi, Carl Johnson passed away at the age of 85. Missionary life began for the Johnson family in 1945, after they were commended by the Loch Hill Chapel of Towson, Maryland. The journey to the mission field was made by flying boat and took one month, stopping at Bermuda, the Azores, and Lisbon before arriving in West Africa. Upon their arrival, the Johnsons were introduced to their first home which had a grass roof, a mud floor, no running water, and no electricity. The Johnson's second home, which proved to be much hotter, sported a fancy metal roof and a hard cement floor. Their children were raised learning the languages and customs of the country they eventually called ``home.'' Their world consisted of warm weather, good friends, interesting food, and amazing pets--monkeys, goats, lizards, parrots, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats to name only a few. The Johnsons did not come so far and sacrifice so much for their own pleasure. Rather, they came to serve. Their missionary life in Burundi was difficult. Most days were spent teaching, studying, working, and battling diseases like dysentery and tuberculosis. They brought joy, comfort, peace, and even humor, during trying times to all those fortunate enough to be near them. After fifty years of preaching, their assignment abruptly shifted to a humanitarian mission, as wars of independence swept through the African continent. In spite of the dangers of war, and even the deaths of more than 200,000 fellow Burundians, the Johnsons remained as beacons of stability and hope. They served as inadvertent hosts to as many as 10,000 refugees fleeing ethnic terror that threatened to tear the nation apart. The couple was a force behind encouraging international humanitarian aid from other countries for both food and medical supplies. Several times a week, Mr. Johnson drove through army checkpoints to a World Food Program warehouse to bring much needed food to the refugees. They are perhaps best known for their medical service in what is now known as the Kigobe Health Center, which has treated nearly one million patients and has saved the lives of thousands. Harry S. Johnson shares this about his father: ``Carl's funeral service at the Kigobe mission site on Tuesday, February 6, 2001, was a triumphant testimony to our blessed Hope, with over 3,000 adults gathered in tribute to his life and ministry. Dignitaries came and mingled with the poorest of the poor as his casket was lowered into the grave, a befitting farewell to a man who was `all things to all men' '' Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent Mr. Carl Johnson's family in Maryland's Second Congressional District, and ask that my colleagues join me in thanking the Johnsons for their heroic service to God and to the people of Burundi. ____________________