Floor SpeechNeutral2026-09-16

HONORING TEXAS-24 HOMETOWN HERO DETECTIVE BILL JOHNSON

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On 2026-09-16, Representative Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING TEXAS-24 HOMETOWN HERO DETECTIVE BILL JOHNSON" in the House.

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HONORING TEXAS-24 HOMETOWN HERO DETECTIVE BILL JOHNSON

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E943] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING TEXAS-24 HOMETOWN HERO DETECTIVE BILL JOHNSON ______ HON. BETH VAN DUYNE of texas in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Ms. VAN DUYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Detective Bill Johnson. Detective Johnson spent over 20 years with the New York City Police Department. He had been working in his new role as the detective-investigator for the Fugitive Enforcement Division for a few months when the attacks on September 11, 2001 occurred. That morning, Johnson got off his night shift only hours before the attack. He didn't wait to be called back into work, he went straight to the station to offer help. For the next few weeks, he worked tirelessly, serving in various roles, including efforts at Ground Zero looking through ``the pile'' for survivors and reporting missing loved ones. He was part of history, as everyone came together and he witnessed the city change. Johnson's efforts continued for four months as he worked in the morgue helping identify victims and recovering DNA. His time spent in hazardous conditions from the debris led to his and other responders' cancer diagnoses in subsequent years. Johnson moved from New York to Southlake in 2019. 25 years later, Johnson is the featured speaker at Southlake's Remembrance Ceremony, where he will share his story and continue to honor the legacy of those who lost their lives on that day, and those who lost battles in the years following. I thank Bill Johnson for his incredible heroism on one of America's darkest days. ____________________

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HONORING TEXAS-24 HOMETOWN HERO DETECTIVE BILL JOHNSON Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 146 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E943] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING TEXAS-24 HOMETOWN HERO DETECTIVE BILL JOHNSON ______ HON. BETH VAN DUYNE of texas in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Ms. VAN DUYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Detective Bill Johnson. Detective Johnson spent over 20 years with the New York City Police Department. He had been working in his new role as the detective-investigator for the Fugitive Enforcement Division for a few months when the attacks on September 11, 2001 occurred. That morning, Johnson got off his night shift only hours before the attack. He didn't wait to be called back into work, he went straight to the station to offer help. For the next few weeks, he worked tirelessly, serving in various roles, including efforts at Ground Zero looking through ``the pile'' for survivors and reporting missing loved ones. He was part of history, as everyone came together and he witnessed the city change. Johnson's efforts continued for four months as he worked in the morgue helping identify victims and recovering DNA. His time spent in hazardous conditions from the debris led to his and other responders' cancer diagnoses in subsequent years. Johnson moved from New York to Southlake in 2019. 25 years later, Johnson is the featured speaker at Southlake's Remembrance Ceremony, where he will share his story and continue to honor the legacy of those who lost their lives on that day, and those who lost battles in the years following. I thank Bill Johnson for his incredible heroism on one of America's darkest days. ____________________