Mike Conaway: “I rise tonight to speak in recognition of the accomplishments of Rufus Johnson of Kerrville, Texas. Of African American…”

“I rise tonight to speak in recognition of the accomplishments of Rufus Johnson of Kerrville, Texas. Of African American and Cherokee descent, Mr. Johnson was born in Maryland in May of 1911 and faced adversity at a very early age. He lost his mother when he was 4 years old, but he never allowed any situation to dictate his path. After his mother passed away, Mr. Johnson was sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Pennsylvania. As a boy in Pennsylvania, he was forbidden to swim in the city pool. This cost him the much-coveted Boy Scouts of America Eagle rank because he could not earn the swimming merit badge. Mr. Johnson never forgot this missed opportunity; and, ironically, it was this missed opportunity that led him on his path to historical significance. Among his many life achievements, Mr. Johnson worked in the White House of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, served in the United States Army during World War II, and became a successful attorney.”