Harris: Rep. Johnson ‘was a visionary, a pioneer and a fighter’

Vice President Harris on Monday praised the late Texas Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson, who was the first member of Congress to become a registered nurse and died Sunday at age 88.

“Congressman Eddie Bernice Johnson was a visionary, a trailblazer, and a warrior.” Harris wrote in a statement..

Harris, the first woman, first black, and first Indian American to be elected vice president, described Johnson's early days as “a first-hand experience of witnessing and experiencing the profound effects of racism, and a commitment to justice.” “He was determined not to remain on the sidelines in the fight,” he said in detail. ”

Johnson was the first black head psychiatric nurse at the Dallas Veterans Affairs Hospital, the first black woman elected to public office in the city of Dallas, the first black person to represent Dallas in Congress, and the first black person elected to the House of Representatives. She was the first registered nurse and the first person of color. She was the first woman to chair the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Born in 1935, Mr. Johnson was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1972, to the Texas State Senate in 1987, and to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992.

She served in the House of Representatives until her retirement at the end of the last Congress, retiring on January 3, 2023.

Johnson served as Speaker of the House (the oldest sitting member) for more than a year after the death of Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) in March 2022.

Harris described Johnson's approach to public service as “a commitment to what she is fighting for: that everyone in Dallas and across the country live without discrimination and reach their full potential.” He was always clearly aware of his right to have the opportunity to

Harris also touted Johnson's work on the floor, from her work on committees to her role in passing recent bills such as CHIPS and the Science Act.

“I had the opportunity to serve alongside her in the Congressional Black Caucus and know that so many, including myself, have benefited from her tireless work. Her accomplishments and leadership. will be felt for generations to come,” Harris wrote.