Hank Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hank Johnson
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Official portrait, 2017
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 4th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Cynthia McKinney |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Henry Calvin Johnson Jr.
October 2, 1954 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Mereda Davis
(m. 1979) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Clark Atlanta University (BA) Texas Southern University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | |
Henry Calvin Johnson Jr. (born October 2, 1954) is an American lawyer and politician. He has been a U.S. Representative for Georgia's 4th district since 2007. He is part of the Democratic Party. His district covers areas like Decatur, Rockdale County, and parts of Atlanta.
Early Life and Education
Johnson grew up in Washington, D.C.. His father worked for the Bureau of Prisons. He was the highest-ranking African-American in that bureau at the time.
Johnson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark College in 1976. This school is now known as Clark Atlanta University. He then received his law degree (Juris Doctor) from Texas Southern University in 1979. After finishing school, he practiced law in Decatur, Georgia, for over 25 years.
From 1989 to 2001, Johnson served as a judge in the DeKalb County magistrate's court. He was later elected to the DeKalb County Commission in 2000. He served on the commission from 2001 to 2006.
Serving in Congress
Hank Johnson became a member of the United States House of Representatives in 2007. He represents Georgia's 4th congressional district.
Winning Elections
2006 Election Victory
In 2006, Johnson ran against the sitting Representative, Cynthia McKinney, in the Democratic primary election. This district is very Democratic, so winning the primary was the most important step. Johnson forced McKinney into a second round of voting, called a runoff. He won the runoff election with 59% of the votes.
Johnson used the internet a lot during his campaign. He connected with supporters and gained national attention. The National Journal newspaper said Johnson had a very unique blog strategy. They called his use of the internet to win one of the most important blog stories of 2006.
In November 2006, Johnson won the general election. He defeated the Republican candidate with 76% of the vote. This was one of the highest percentages for a Democrat in a contested election in Georgia.
Later Elections
Johnson ran for reelection several times and won each time.
- In 2008, he ran unopposed and won almost all the votes.
- In 2010, he was reelected with about 75% of the votes.
- In 2012 and 2014, he won uncontested general elections.
- He won reelection again in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024.
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Key Actions in Congress
Views on the Iraq War
In 2007, Johnson spoke out against the war in Iraq. He said it was a "grave misstep" for the country. He believed it was time for President George W. Bush to listen to the public.
Johnson introduced his first bill in February 2007. It asked the Secretary of Defense to remove U.S. troops from street patrol duty in Iraq. He argued that there was no military solution for the civil war there. He felt Iraqi troops should take responsibility for their own streets.
Thoughts on Israel
Johnson has shared his concerns about Israel's policies in the West Bank. In 2016, he described how walls and checkpoints limit Palestinian movement. He also spoke about Israeli settlements.
He later apologized for using a "poor choice of words" in his speech. He clarified that his comments were about the policies, not the people. He has since met with Jewish community leaders to build understanding.
Supporting Civil Justice
Johnson supports laws that strengthen the U.S. civil justice system. In 2016, he helped introduce a bill to protect consumers' access to courts. This law would ensure that people can use the legal system to protect their rights. It aims to prevent consumers from being forced into private arbitration hearings.
Economic Decisions
In 2008, Johnson voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) bailout bill. However, he voted for the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This was a stimulus package supported by Democrats and President Obama.
Comments on Guam
In 2010, during a hearing, Johnson made a comment about the island of Guam. He said he feared the island would "tip over and capsize" if too many Marines moved there. His office later explained that he was using a humorous way to highlight the impact of adding many people to a small island.
Effectiveness in Congress
A study in 2014 ranked Johnson as the 18th most effective Democrat in the 112th Congress. He was also ranked higher than any Republican from Georgia. The study looked at how well lawmakers could get their ideas turned into laws.
Impeachment Inquiries
Johnson was part of a special group that looked into impeaching judges. He voted to impeach Judges Thomas Porteous and Samuel B. Kent. He also served as a prosecutor in their impeachment trials.
In 2019, Johnson called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. He was on the House Committee on the Judiciary, which played a big role in the inquiry. Johnson voted to approve the articles of impeachment against Trump. He also voted for Trump's second impeachment in 2021.
Committee Roles
Johnson serves on important committees in Congress:
- Committee on the Judiciary: This committee deals with laws and the justice system. He is a ranking member (a top leader) on the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet.
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: This committee handles issues related to roads, bridges, and transportation.
Group Memberships
Johnson is a member of several groups in Congress, called caucuses. These groups focus on specific issues or represent certain interests. Some of the caucuses he belongs to include:
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Medicare for All Caucus
Personal Life
Johnson is married to Mereda Davis Johnson, who is also an attorney and a DeKalb County Commissioner. They have two children.
In 2009, Johnson shared that he had been dealing with Hepatitis C for over ten years. This condition affected his speech and concentration. He received treatment, and by 2010, his health had improved.
Johnson is one of only a few Buddhists who have served in the United States Congress.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- List of Buddhist members of the United States Congress
