(ConservativeHub.com) – President Biden released a statement on December 31 praising former Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson’s (D-Texas) time in Congress following the recent announcement of her death.
In his statement, Biden said that she was an “icon and mentor” who had worked together in Congress for three decades. He added that he was grateful to have gotten to not only work with her, but also be her friend. He proceeded to praise how Bernie had managed to turn her dream of working in medicine into a long career in service where she had fought for Americans to have access to healthcare. He further highlighted her push towards Americans getting more opportunities and better education.
As reported by The Hill, Johnson was born in 1935 and first started her career as a psychiatric nurse. She got involved in politics in 1972 when she was elected to the Texas House being the first Black woman from Dallas to have ever done so. She proceeded to serve in the Texas Senate and then the U.S. House in 1992 until her retirement in early 2023, following the end of the 117th Congress.
Her family announced Johnson’s passing earlier that day. She was 88 years old.
Biden in his statement pointed to the long career she has had in public service and praised her for her efforts to “expand civil rights,” fight against climate change, and create jobs. He further referred to her work as the Congressional Black Caucus chair and argued that she would have an enduring legacy of resilience.
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