Trailblazing Texas Politician Eddie Bernice Johnson Dies at 88

First Registered Nurse Elected to Congress Remembered as an Icon and Mentor

Eddie Bernice Johnson, a trailblazing Texas politician and the first registered nurse elected to Congress, has passed away at the age of 88.
Johnson served in the House for three decades, during which she became the first Black woman to chair the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and led the Congressional Black Caucus.
She was known for her effective legislation and advocacy for equality, bringing hundreds of millions of federal dollars to the Dallas area and fighting against Republican efforts to block action on climate change.
Johnson's career was marked by a series of historic firsts, including being the first Black chief psychiatric nurse at Dallas' Veterans Affairs hospital and the first Black woman elected to public office in Dallas.
Her legacy of resilience, determination, and commitment to public service has been praised by many, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who hailed her as an 'icon and mentor to generations of public servants.'