Bob Johnson

Bob Johnson is a long-time resident of Sarasota County whose civic involvement has left many marks on the area. While serving in the Florida House of Representatives from 1970 to 1976 and 1982 to 1984 and the Florida Senate from 1984 to 1992 he raised millions of dollars for numerous causes particularly focused around the arts, environment and education. In 1985, he wrote the legislation that protected the Sarasota section of the Myakka River under the designation as a Wild and Scenic River.

Student Interviewer: David Anderson

David Anderson is a recent graduate from the New College of Florida. His senior thesis, an oral history website on Catoctin Quaker Camp, reflects his confidence in the power of new media to make the rewards of oral history more accessible to the broader community. This same principle, along with his great respect and admiration for Sarasota, drew him to this project. As a true believer in the importance of oral narrative, Anderson plans to continue gathering and telling stories, all the while encouraging others to do the same.

Interview Transcipts