Recognizing Glenn Johnson

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Glenn Johnson for his 20 years of service as Mayor of Pullman and his dedication to the highest standards of servant leadership.

Glenn has been a trusted member of the Pullman community for more than four decades. In 1979, he left behind a successful career in Sacramento, Calif. to become a professor at Washington State University's Edward R. Murrow College of Communications. For thirty- five years, he taught courses in communications and television news, always pushing his students to reach their full potential.

Glenn quickly became beloved on campus, not only by his students. but by all of Cougar Nation for the spirit, talent, and tradition he embodied as ``The Voice of the Cougs.'' Even before Martin Stadium put in a quality set of loudspeakers, Glenn led the crowd in a call-and- response that has become legendary in Cougar football. To this day, every time Glenn calls out ``And that's another . . .,'' the crowd enthusiastically responds with, ``Cougar first down!''

In 2004, Glenn began his first term as Mayor of Pullman. Over the next twenty years and five terms, he earned the trust of Pullman residents, city officials, and business leaders alike through dedicated leadership and a commitment to making Pullman a special place to call home. He spearheaded investments and initiatives like Project Downtown, which continues to revamp the city center and inspire incredible growth.

Mayor Johnson has also led with tremendous vision about the future of the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport. I have been blessed to work with him on various projects over the years to remodel the airport's infrastructure, the services it provides, and create the space for new economic opportunities across the region. Glenn's vision and determination were the primary reasons why the airport added a new runway back in 2019 and have been the driving force behind the brand new terminal that is set to open later this year. His leadership has been absolutely essential to the airport's success and ensuring it will continue to connect the Palouse and residents all across Eastern Washington with the rest of the world for decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Glenn's committed service to the Pullman community. He has been a fierce advocate for the city, and as he enters his well-deserved retirement, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking him for his years of devoted service and wishing him well in this next chapter.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source