Political Quotes

“this Saturday, Mobile, and indeed all of Alabama will say goodbye to our first casualty in the war on Iraq. While many Americans will be busy running weekend errands, shopping at the local mall, or spending time with their children at a T-ball game, I will, instead, be attending what will be a much more somber occasion, the funeral services for Private First Class Howard Johnson, II. Private Johnson was killed in combat while bravely serving and protecting this great Nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Speaker, recently I visited with Howard's parents, the Reverend and Mrs. Howard Johnson, at their home in Mobile. Like every other parent would do in similar circumstances, the Johnsons grieve over the loss of their wonderful son. They told me what a fine young man Howard was, how he was always thinking of other people, and how he had a special concern especially for the older people who were in his father's church. They said Howard loved life, and he was blessed with many wonderful friends. In the living room of their home, I had a chance to view several photographs of Howard, first as a little boy, then as a teenager, and more recently as a young man. Always, always, there was a big smile on his face. Howard Johnson, II, had a contagious smile and an optimistic spirit that looked to the future with hope and anticipation.”