Johnny Isakson is no stranger to government. He has participated in local government and as a state legislator, both as a member of the Georgia House and the Senate. He was appointed by Governor Zell Miller as Chairman of the Georgia State School Board. Then, in 1999, Governor Miller had a more important job for Mr. Isakson to do. He appointed him to the U.S. House of Representatives to complete the term left by Newt Gingrich.

Since becoming a Congressman, Mr. Isakson has been appointed chairman of the Education Committee and has served in many capacities to aid our military as well as being involved in many international concerns and medical issues for all Americans.
Johnny Isakson grew up in Atlanta. “Atlanta is twenty times as big today as it was then,” he said. “Growing up in the late 40s and early 50s in the South, things were much different. We were all taught to say ‘Yes Ma’am and No Ma’am,’ ” he said. He attended R.L. Hope Elementary School in Atlanta and North Fulton High School and Dykes High School, which opened after his first year at North Fulton.

“High school began in 8th grade then, and I remember well my 8th grade English teacher. Her name was Alice Gibson. She was the hardest teacher I ever had. After I had her in the 8th grade, she moved to the new high school and I had her again. She wanted us to memorize a poem by Longfellow, “Evangeline.” I stayed up and watched television the night before I was to recite the poem. I fell asleep and didn’t get it all memorized. When I walked into class the next day, she called my name first. I told her I had not finished memorizing the poem. She told me that I would be called on - first- every day until I recited the poem to the class. I studied all afternoon and night and the next day when she called my name, I recited every word. After class she called me to her desk and said, ‘Johnny, you may think I embarrassed you, yesterday, but I didn’t. You embarrassed yourself. It’s a shame you didn’t do it right the first time, because in life you seldom get second chances.’”

Johnny Isakson remembered her words and took her words with him into service and later into the real estate business. He ran for county commissioner in Atlanta and got beat his first time, but then ran for the Georgia House of Representatives and won. He served in the Georgia House for 19 years and in the Georgia Senate for three and was Chairman of the State Board of Education for three.
One of his role models is Thomas Jefferson who authored the United States Constitution. “I am humbled at the intelligence of a man who could write a document that can stand the proof of time,” he said. Isakson also mentioned the 14th amendment and said it was important to study because it explains how government operates. Legislators make laws, but the President or Executive branch makes policy. This important amendment also tells the separation of domestic matters or matters of the state.
He also discussed the importance of education and said that every U.S. state constitution since 1853 has dealt with the education of children.

Another important thing the framers of the Constitution did was to provide for checks and balances for the voting by legislators. He said, “By providing a bicameral system of government, the balance of voting by the legislators in the U.S. is even. If it weren’t for this system and based strictly on the size of a state, California would have a big advantage over other states. Fifty-six U.S. Congressman are elected from California. That is 12% of the vote of the entire U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressman Isakson’s advice for students is to Read! “Whether it’s a book, a magazine, a newspaper or a report, read anything and everything. The more you read the more educated you are.” he said.
One of his favorite quotes is from Mark Twain.
“When faced with a tough decision, do what’s right. You will surprise some and amaze the rest.”

 

Congressman Johnny Isakson