LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of
Elder John Johnson, founder of St. John's Church of God in Christ

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals of preeminent character whose lives exemplified the highest
ideals of humanity and whose lifework and civic endeavor served to
enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is honored to pay tribute to
the life and accomplishments of Elder John Johnson, founder of St.
John's Church of God in Christ; and
WHEREAS, In memory of its founder, Elder John Johnson, St. John's
Church of God in Christ will host a weekend long Founder's Day Reunion
to be held July 16-18, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Elder John "Jack" Johnson was born in Shubuta, Mississippi,
on August 17, 1908, to Mary and Sam Johnson, industrial farmers whose
pride and work ethic were exemplary; and
WHEREAS, Even as a young man, Elder John Johnson cared very deeply
about his fellow man and became a youth leader in his community; during
this time, he would travel to the wealthy parts of town, collecting
clothes and furniture that he could distribute to the poor; and
WHEREAS, In 1930, Elder John Johnson became a member of Church of God
in Christ (COGIC) in Shubuta, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, During this same time period, the United States was struggl-
ing through the Great Depression, which prompted Elder John Johnson to
move to Albany, New York, in pursuit of employment; and
WHEREAS, Before long, Elder John Johnson found employment and married
Dorothy Mary Charles in 1934; together, they had seven children, five
boys and two girls; and
WHEREAS, Elder John Johnson was able to obtain jobs renovating and
repairing houses throughout the Capital District; he gradually purchased
14 homes which he repaired and then rented to the poor for little or
nothing; on many occasions, he would contract jobs just to give men work
so that they could feed their families; and
WHEREAS, In the 1940s, Elder John Johnson organized a community youth
organization called the "Good Samaritan Club"; this club would provide
trips, games, mentoring and tutoring services for many African American
youths in the City of Albany; he also organized a female Gospel singing
group called The Gospel Harmonizers that traveled extensively throughout
the Northeast; and
WHEREAS, Elder John Johnson was well known for exploring new cities
and towns; as an Evangelist in the 1930s, he traveled to many cities and
towns east of the Mississippi evangelizing and carrying the Gospel of
Jesus Christ; one area in particular was Connecticut, where his evangel-
istic work helped establish Richardson Memorial COGIC; additionally, he
helped establish churches throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley, from Albany
to Nyack, New York; he would not only travel and conduct services, but
he would use his carpenter skills to renovate storefronts, and buildings
to be used as churches; and
WHEREAS, In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, Elder John Johnson sponsored
youth and family bus excursions to museums, navy boat tours, amusement
parks, conferences, churches and community outings; on most of these
trips, he would finance the bulk of the cost out of his own pockets; and
WHEREAS, He was a well-known philanthropist, providing jobs, housing,
educational donations to hundreds of youths, and he gave many loans that
were never reimbursed to those in financial trouble, and outright gifts

to numerous persons starting new businesses, purchasing cars, houses or
just those in debt; and
WHEREAS, In March 1952, the Reverend John Johnson, better known as
Brother Jack, founded St. John's COGIC located at Dongan Avenue in Alba-
ny, New York; the membership consisted of Reverend Johnson, his wife,
seven children, and Mrs. Vera Johnson; many of his community activities
became based at St. John's Church of God in Christ; the church continued
to reach out to the young by providing trips, counseling sessions to
families, classes on life skills, and seeking various ways to improve
the community's quality of life; and
WHEREAS, From the late 1950s through the 1970s, Brother Jack made
numerous trips to Mississippi and brought at least 100 families from
sharecropper experiences; in most cases, when they arrived in Albany, he
would let them use his home or one of his houses at no cost, find them
employment and support them until they could get on their feet; and
WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Elder John Johnson, St. John's COGIC
opened up a Day Care Center at the rear of the Church at 71 South Ferry
Street, Albany, New York, in 1962; the centers provided safe, clean and
nurturing childcare services for children of mostly poor African Ameri-
can working mothers and fathers; the church ran this center for 10 years
without any financial assistance from private or governmental funds; at
times 50 or more children attended the center Monday thru Friday; many
were picked up in the morning; all were provided breakfast, lunch,
wholesome activities and transported back home in the evenings; and
WHEREAS, Elder John Johnson through St. John's expanded its community
outreach through an organization called the YOUTH CIRCLE; this organiza-
tion included a community drum and majorette Corp and took recreational
trips to many cities in the Northeast to broaden the horizon of the
youth; St. John's through its After School activities, also provided
tutoring, mentoring, and family enrichment classes to those in the
community; Elder Johnson also established a housing program for the
poor; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, Elder John Johnson received a multi-
tude of awards and accolades; he received an honorary Doctorate Degree
of Humanity from the Albany Community Association for the Poor; in 1993,
the City of Albany named Herkimer St. the "Rev. John (Jack) Johnson
Way"; he was also presented the African American Award of Distinction on
February 14, 1993, from the Governor of New York State, Mario Cuomo; in
August 1998, the Albany Common Council and Mayor Jennings signed a
Legislative Document to change Herkimer St. from South Pearl to Green to
"Elder John (Jack) Johnson Way" in honor of Elder John Johnson's social
and community services to the Albany community, especially the South End
for over 60 years; and
WHEREAS, Elder John Johnson brought to his ministry an overwhelming
spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and enlightenment
in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties, while always
displaying the highest standards of personal and professional integrity
and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God always gave enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and administered
abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of all;
and
WHEREAS, A modern day hero, Elder John Johnson exhibited love and
compassion for all of mankind, especially those less fortunate; while
this exceptional man departed this life on Sunday, July 4, 2004, his
extraordinary legacy will forever endure throughout the Albany communi-
ty; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the life and accomplishments of Elder John Johnson, founder
of St. John's Church of God in Christ; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Elder John Johnson.