Johnson championed STEM, ladies’s rights, veterans, truthful housing, transportation and the Reasonably priced Care Act all through her profession.
By Stacy M. BrownNNPA Newswire Senior Nationwide Correspondent
(NNPA Newswire) — Former U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, a trailblazer and devoted public servant, died at 89. Kirk Johnson, her son, confirmed her dying on Dec. 31. Johnson had been just lately admitted to hospice care and left behind a legacy of exceptional achievements and contributions to the nation.
Kirk Johnson highlighted his mom’s accomplishments as a trailblazer, public servant and noteworthy member of the family in an announcement that the household launched to precise their sorrow over her passing. The household acknowledged the mourning of a unprecedented lady whereas celebrating her life and legacy.
“I’m heartbroken to share the information that my mom, Eddie Bernice Johnson, has handed away,” Kirk Johnson mentioned.
“She was a exceptional and loving mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother, in addition to a trailblazer and public servant. Whereas we mourn the lack of a unprecedented lady, we rejoice her life and legacy. She might be deeply missed.”
The youthful Johnson mentioned funeral companies are pending.
“I’m surprised and saddened to be taught of the passing of my expensive pal, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson wrote on X Dec. 31. “Congresswoman Johnson was a groundbreaking chief for this nation and for our state and metropolis, and there actually aren’t any phrases to precise my profound sense of grief and loss on the passing of this legendary American.”
Eddie Bernice Johnson was born to Edward and Lillie Mae Johnson in Waco, Texas. She graduated from A.J. Moore Excessive Faculty and earned her nursing certificates from Saint Mary’s School of Notre Dame in 1955. In accordance with the Texas Metro Information, Johnson furthered her training at Texas Christian College, acquiring a bachelor’s diploma in nursing. She earned a grasp’s of public administration from Southern Methodist College in 1976.
Johnson championed STEM, ladies’s rights, veterans, truthful housing, transportation and the Reasonably priced Care Act all through her profession. She was a founding member of the tri-Caucus (Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus) and the Dallas Coalition of Starvation Options. Famous Ambassador Ron Kirk highlighted Johnson’s quite a few firsts, together with being the primary African American to function chief psychiatric nurse on the Dallas Veterans Administration Hospital.
In her political profession, Johnson served within the Texas Home and Senate, turning into the primary African American lady in Dallas to be elected to workplace. When she went to Washington, she grew to become the primary registered nurse to ever serve in Congress. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Hyperlinks, Inc.
Johnson was the primary African American and first feminine chair of the Home Committee on Science, Area, and Expertise. She was additionally the primary African American to function the Division of Well being, Training, and Welfare’s regional director, appointed by then-President Jimmy Carter.
Earlier than her retirement, Johnson’s portrait was unveiled and hung within the Science Committee Room on Capitol Hill. This system for STEM ladies has additionally been named in her honor. Upon her retirement on the finish of the 117th session, she was the oldest member of the Home of Representatives.
The Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and members of the CBC issued an announcement mourning the lack of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
“Amongst her many accomplishments within the Texas State Legislature as a nurse and member of Congress, Congresswoman Johnson was maybe best-known to these near her as a mom, spouse, and pal, and she or he might be enormously missed,” CBC members said. “She leaves a legacy and a lifetime of public service that won’t quickly be forgotten.”
They acknowledged her groundbreaking achievements.
Johnson’s influence prolonged past laws; she delivered a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} towards revitalizing transportation in Texas, notably for the Southern Gateway Undertaking and the DART Rail System. The DART and Amtrak rail facilities in Dallas have been renamed the Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station in her honor.
Johnson’s multifaceted profession included being a mom, spouse and pal along with a public servant, leaving a void that those that knew her will really feel deeply. “Her legacy as a trailblazer and advocate for justice, equality, and progress will endure,” CBC members mentioned.
