March 23, 2004 - Decorah Journal/Public Opinion: Ghana RPCV Paul Johnson running for Congress in Iowa

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Ghana: Peace Corps Ghana : The Peace Corps in Ghana: March 23, 2004 - Decorah Journal/Public Opinion: Ghana RPCV Paul Johnson running for Congress in Iowa

By Admin1 (admin) (151.196.183.79) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 6:48 pm: Edit Post

Ghana RPCV Paul Johnson running for Congress in Iowa

Ghana RPCV Paul Johnson running for Congress in Iowa

Ghana RPCV Paul Johnson running for Congress in Iowa

Decorah's Paul Johnson running for Congress
Challenging U.S. Representative Tom Latham in 4th District


Johnson's return to politics was not an easy choice.

"I'm excited about traveling the district, meeting people and discussing the serious challenges we face. But I must confess that I cringe at thought of raising the huge amounts of money that experts say is necessary to be successful," he said.

"But you can's grouse about things from the outside forever. I think America is a much better country than the way we're acting, and I'm very concerned about our relationship with other countries. We can't build a fortress around ourselves.

"It's a presidential election year and I'm excited about a number of issues that will be debated like health care, the environment, energy and many others. I also want Iowa's voice to be heard.

"Mr. Latham enters this campaign with a chest full of money, most of it gleaned from interests outside of Iowa. The Federal Elections Commission ranks him 36 out of 435 members in Congress in political action committee (PAC) receipts in the last election cycle," he said.

"I've always believed that financing of elections is most democratic when the money comes from the state and district that the candidate will represent. When I served in the Iowa House of Representatives, I stuck to that principle and I intend to do so as much as possible again this time."

Johnson served three terms in the Iowa State Legislature from 1984-90, during which he co-authored the 1987 Groundwater Protection Act, the 1988 Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) and the 1990 Iowa Energy Act.

He also served as chief of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (now the Natural Resources Conservation Service) at the United States Department of Agriculture from 1993-97 and as director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from 1999-2000.

He stepped down from his last public service position in 2000 upon the birth of his third granddaughter. He has since spent time speaking, writing, traveling, farming, fishing and caring for his grandchildren.

Since 1974, Johnson and his family have owned and operated Oneota Slopes Farm near Decorah. Their farm has included dairy, corn, soybeans, hay, beef cattle, sheep and Christmas trees.

He holds a BS and MS in Forestry from the University of Michigan and an honorary doctorate from Luther College. His international experience spans Peace Corps service in Ghana, West Africa (1962-64), forestry teaching in Ghana (1967-68), doctoral research in tropical forest ecology in Costa Rica (1969, 1970 and 1971), co-directorship of the Luther College Nottingham Year (1980-81) in Nottingham, England, and numerous educational and research visits to countries such as Sweden and the former Soviet Union.

He was born in Oakland, Calif., in 1941 and is married to Patricia Johnson, associate professor emerita of social work at Luther. Their family includes three adult children: Eric, Andy and Annika, their spouses and five granddaughters.




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Story Source: Decorah Journal/Public Opinion

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Ghana; Politics

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