Apalachicola Mayor Nominated for International Award

Mayor Van W. Johnson, Sr.

Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson will be stepping onto the world stage at a public ceremony to be held August 22, 2014 at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  

Johnson will be at the ceremony along with his wife, Gail to receive the highly esteemed Golden Rule International Award.  The mayor was nominated to receive the international award by Dr. Kevin Storr, Ph.D., associate professor of physics at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.  Dr. Storr is the author of a new book titled "The Pursuit of Kingdom Value" and an avid follower of the Mayor's Blog and a Facebook friend of Johnson.

The award was created as a culture of honor to be bestowed upon those who best represent the Golden Rule in their everyday life, "Treating Others the Way You Want to Be Treated". The award has been established in 120 nations around the world; past recipients include leaders of international countries, ambassadors, executives, professors and teachers.

The Golden Rule International Award is affiliated with the Interfaith Peace-Building Initiative (IPI), African Union, the United Nations as well as the United Religions Initiative (URI).

It was through following Johnson on his social media sites that Dr. Storr became acquainted with his work as mayor of Apalachicola, which in Storr's own assessment exemplifies the Golden Rule.

"I was speaking to the Ambassador of Burundi about you this morning and how we became acquainted through Facebook.  I mentioned about what you are doing for the city, because I read your blog.  You are only the second person I have ever nominated, so I know that you will represent my nomination well because of the work you have already done", wrote Dr. Storr on July 11, 2014 in a direct message to Johnson through Facebook from Burundi, Africa.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan

"It has come to our attention that you have the heart and compassion towards others where you have exemplified, "Treating Others the Way You Want to Be Treated". Our office has come to know that you impacted your community with trust, dignity and have improved the quality of life by those you have touched through your humanitarian leadership under the organization which you serve", wrote Dr. Brian Williams in a nomination letter to Johnson.

At the ceremony Johnson will receive the Golden Rule Award from Ambassador Clyde Rivers Representative for the Interfaith Peace-Building Initiative to the United Nations in New York and African Union.  After which, the mayor will join a list of other Golden Rule International Alumni; a proclamation from his office will be submitted to the United Nations as a legal document by Dr. Mussie Hailu, Founder and Board Chairman of the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative, to implement a new World policy of peace.

Johnson was first elected mayor of Apalachicola in 2007 after serving 10-years as the Seat 3, City Commissioner on the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.

To access a digital copy of the proclamation to be submitted to the United Nations click on the above photo of Mayor Johnson.