Biography
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson Jr., born on October 2, 1954, in Washington, D.C., has served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 4th Congressional District since 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, he represents parts of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Throughout his tenure, Congressman Johnson has been recognized as an effective legislator, focusing on civil rights, consumer protections, judicial transparency, and community safety.
In 2016, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, acknowledging his contributions to public service and the legal profession.
Education
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Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clark College , 1976.
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Juris Doctor from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, 1979.
Political Experience
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U.S. Representative for Georgia's 4th District: Serving since 2007, currently in his 10th term.
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DeKalb County Commissioner: Served from 2001 to 2006.
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Magistrate Judge, DeKalb County: Served from 1989 to 2001.
Notable Achievements and Positions
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Legislative Leadership: As a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and ranking member of its Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, Johnson has been a national leader on court reform, advocating for accountability and ethical standards for Supreme Court justices.
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Consumer Protection: Introduced the FAIR Act to ban forced arbitration clauses in employment and consumer agreements, emphasizing the right to a trial by jury.
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Police Reform: Authored the Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act, aiming to prevent the transfer of military-grade weaponry to local police departments, which influenced executive orders and legislation like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
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Digital Equity: Advocated for expanded broadband access and policies to close the digital divide, focusing on empowering minority and underserved communities.
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Constituent Services: Since 2007, helped bring more than $5 billion in federal investments to Georgia, including over $1 billion specifically for his district, and secured more than $175 million for constituents seeking assistance with federal agencies.
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Commission Appointment: In 2023, appointed to the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, focusing on addressing social disparities affecting Black men and boys.
Congressman Johnson continues to advocate for justice, equality, and the well-being of his constituents in Georgia's 4th District.
