Cheryl Johnson moving from OGR to Congress

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has named Cheryl Johnson, director of the Smithsonian’s Office of Government Relations, as the new Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Prior to joining the Smithsonian, worked for nearly two decades in the House of Representatives, including 10 years as the chief education and investigative counsel for the Committee on Education and the Workforce, where she advanced justice and fairness in elementary and secondary education, juvenile justice, child nutrition, labor issues and older Americans’ employment and nutrition programs.  Previously, she served as staff director and counsel for the Committee on House Administration’s Subcommittee on Libraries and Memorials and then Subcommittee on the Post Office and Civil Service.

Cheryl Johnson

At the Smithsonian, Johnson promotes and strengthens the Smithsonian’s relationship with Congress, the Executive Branch and federal, state and local governments.  Previously, she served as chief of staff to the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, providing strategic counsel to the museum’s leadership and staff on a broad range of initiatives.  Prior to that role, she served as senior government relations associate in the Office of Government Relations at the Smithsonian.

“Cheryl Johnson embodies commitment to public service,” said Speaker Pelosi.  “She has dedicated her career to defending and strengthening many of the most important and cherished institutions of our democracy, and we are thrilled that she will be returning to the House of Representatives, where she served with distinction and honor for many years.  Johnson’s vast experience, strong leadership and management skills and deep dedication to this body will be vital in ensuring that, as Clerk, the House has the support and tools to carry out our legislative responsibilities to the American people.”

A native of New Orleans, Johnson lives in Maryland, and holds a Juris Doctorate from the Howard University School of Law.  She is a member of the District of Columbia and Louisiana Bars, the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Board of Trustees and the Faith and Politics Institute.

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