Harold Terry "Bizz" Johnson (1907-1988) was a Democratic politician and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2nd Congressional District (later renumbered the 1st) from 1959 to 1981. Bizz Johnson Drive in Marysville's Beckwourth Riverfront Park Complex is named for him, as are the Bizz Johnson Expressway (Highway 65 between Lincoln and Roseville), the Bizz Johnson Interchange (the intersection of U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 92 near San Mateo), Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail (along the Susan River in Lassen County), and the Bizz Johnson Marathon and Half Marathon on the Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail in Susanville.

Johnson was born in Broderick, in Yolo County, in 1907. He attended public schools in Roseville and then attended the University of Nevada. In 1937, he married Albra Irene Manuel, who would bear him two children: a son named Robert Harold and a daughter named Lorraine Albra. Johnson served as a supervisor of Pacific Fruit Express Company and as a district chairman of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks. From 1945 to 1949, he served as the president of the American River Development League.

Johnson began his political career by serving on the Roseville School Board of Trustees from 1941 through 1943. From 1943 through 1949, he served as a city councilmember and mayor of Roseville. He was elected to the California State Senate in 1948 by the 7th District and served there from 1949 until 1958, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives by the 2nd Congressional District. He served as a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1956, 1960, and 1964. In the U.S. House of Representatives, he served as the chair of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation from 1976 through 1980, when he was defeated for reelection by Republican Assemblymember Eugene Chappie of El Dorado County. He retired from politics in 1981 and died in Roseville in 1988.

Links

Harold T. Johnson Biographical Directory of the United States Congress: Harold Terry Johnson JoinCalifornia: Harold T. "Bizz" Johnson Lassen Land and Trails Trust: Bizz Johnson National Recreational Trail U.S. Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management: Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon Guide: Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon and Half Marathon in Susanville