Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was a true pioneer in every sense of the word. She made history by becoming the first Black woman to hold an elected office from Dallas and the first Black woman to chair the U.S House Science Committee. She worked tirelessly to advocate for the betterment of the lives of those she served and dedicated her life to promoting equality in the workplace. Her contributions to the Dallas community were remarkable, especially her work on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and her strong involvement in aviation issues that were important to North Texas. Her legacy will continue to inspire all those who follow in her footsteps.
When I received the news Sunday morning of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s passing, I was surprised and deeply saddened. We lost a woman of true grace, empathy, and decency who understood the value of forming bipartisan alliances that would result in solutions for the common good. She was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives, then the Texas Senate, and ultimately to the U.S. Congress, where she served for 30 years. She was the first nurse ever elected to Congress and rose to the rank of Chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Congresswoman Johnson’s welcoming and effective style inspired the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) to create the Eddie Bernice Johnson Award for Courage in Public Sevice (pictured here). Fittingly, she was the award’s first recipient in 2022, her final year in Congress; in the future it will be awarded to retiring elected officials who, like Congresswoman Johnson, have built an impressive record of extraordinary, dedicated public service that has led to long-lasting positive impacts for all people in the Dallas Region. It was an honor for me and many of my DRC colleagues and Board members to know Congresswoman Johnson and work closely with her on matters of importance to the Dallas Region. Her life was the definition of a life well-lived. Congresswoman Johnson worked tirelessly until her last breath for the people of the Dallas Region, and for our nation, and her positive impact will be felt for generations to come. We will all miss her dearly.
