Albert Johnson (New Mexico politician) facts for kids

Albert Norris Johnson (born in 1934 or 1935 – died December 5, 1984) was an important American politician. He made history as the first Black mayor of Las Cruces, New Mexico. He also served on many state commissions, which are special groups that help the state government.

Growing Up and School

Albert Norris Johnson was born in Lebanon, Tennessee. He graduated from Pearl High School. In 1958, he earned a degree in civil engineering from Tennessee State University.

Albert Johnson's Career

After college, Johnson started working at White Sands Missile Range. This is a large military testing area. He later became the environmental improvement coordinator there. This means he helped make sure the base was good for the environment.

Johnson became interested in politics. He was chosen to lead the NAACP chapter in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The NAACP is a group that works for equal rights for Black people. In the 1960s, he led the NAACP for Doña Ana County and then for the whole state of New Mexico. He did this until he was elected to the Las Cruces city commission.

Serving Las Cruces

On February 5, 1968, Johnson decided to run for a seat on the Las Cruces city commission. This is a group of people who help run the city. He won the election and became the first Black person elected to the Las Cruces city commission. He was sworn into office on March 18, 1968.

In 1969, the Governor of New Mexico, David Cargo, asked Johnson to join the Fair Employment Practices Commission. This group worked to make sure everyone had a fair chance at jobs. Governor Cargo also appointed Johnson to the Commission on Human Rights. This new group replaced the earlier commission. Johnson was chosen to be the chairman, or leader, of this important commission.

On February 1, 1972, Johnson ran for reelection to the city commission and won again. In 1973, Governor Bruce King reappointed him to the Human Rights Commission.

In 1975, some people tried to remove the city commission members from office. This is called a recall attempt. Johnson and three other members stayed in office.

Johnson was chosen to lead the South Rio Grande Council of Governments in 1975. He also became the chairman of a group that planned for criminal justice in the region.

Johnson won reelection to the Las Cruces city commission in March 1976. On March 15, 1976, the city commission members voted. They chose Albert Johnson to be the mayor of Las Cruces. He was the first Black mayor in New Mexico.

In 1978, Johnson was reelected as mayor. He decided not to run for mayor again in 1980.

During the 1976 presidential election, Johnson gave the key to the city of Las Cruces to presidential candidate Mo Udall. Giving someone the "key to the city" is a special way to honor them.

About Albert Johnson's Family

Albert Johnson and his wife, Elmira, had three children. One of their children, Albert Johnson Jr., later became involved in politics too.

On December 5, 1984, Albert Johnson passed away from leukemia when he was 49 years old. He was honored for his work. In 1989, he was added to the Democratic Party of New Mexico's Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was also inducted into the New Mexico Hall of Fame. These honors show how important his contributions were to the state.