TRIBUTE TO CATO JOHNSON

TRIBUTE TO CATO JOHNSON

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 57 (Thursday, March 26, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 57 (Thursday, March 26, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S1666] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO CATO JOHNSON Mr. HAGERTY. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and congratulate my friend and an outstanding community leader in Memphis, TN, Cato Johnson, on the occasion of his retirement. Cato currently serves as chief of staff at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, where he has dedicated over 40 years of extraordinary service. Cato has also served Tennesseans in many ways, including on the TennCare Medical Advisory Committee, the Governor's TennCare Roundtable, and the State Health Planning Advisory Board. His leadership, however, extends far beyond healthcare. Cato was a founding member of the University of Memphis Board of Trustees and served as chair of the board between March 2024 and March 2026. During his time as chair, the university accomplished much, including the creation and naming of Victory Park student housing; the creation of new U of M foundations; a new independent school district; University Schools; and a new University Schools elementary school; Campus School Kimball. Cato is also the former chair of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, former member of the Tennessee State School Board, and has served on the executive committee of the Memphis and Shelby County Sports Authority. Cato has chaired my own Memphis ``Kitchen Cabinet'' and has provided pivotal advice over the past 5 years. The advice and counsel of our Memphis Kitchen Cabinet was critical to the initiation and ongoing success of the Memphis Safe Task Force. Cato is a champion for healthcare, education, athletics, and the Memphis community. In fact, Ford Blue Oval has established the Cato Johnson Scholarship and the local YMCA on Elvis Presley Boulevard is named after Cato and his wife, the Georgette and Cato Johnson YMCA. Cato is a trusted leader, partner, and friend to all who know him; I am pleased to be among those fortunate to be so close. I want to thank Cato for his remarkable legacy in Tennessee. I congratulate him on his well-earned retirement and wish him a lifetime of happiness with his family and many friends. ____________________