Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Announces 2012 Re-Election Bid

On Friday October 28, 2011 Congresswoman announced her candidacy for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, 30th Congressional District of Texas.


Speaking to a capacity crowd at Southwest Center Mall, Congresswoman Johnson commented, 'I've received requests from all over District 30 and I am pleased to comply with those requests, I am eager to continue working hard and to get results for the residents of the 30th Congressional District."



Congresswoman Johnson went on to say, "I am running on my record, which can be seen all over North Texas. From the Trinity River Project, which will provide flood protection to Dallas residents and businesses, to the expansion of the DART rail system which has connected the people of our city, to the Woodwall Rogers Deck Park, to the trolley and streetcar systems, to the renovations at Love Field and DFW Airport... I have worked tirelessly to help make Dallas the world class city I believe it is."




Speakers supporting Congresswoman Johnson's announcement included Reverend James Parker, Councilmember Tennell Atkins, Councilmember Pauline Medrano, Councilmember Vonciel Jones Hill, Michael Gonzales, Dr. Charles Ku, Mr. William Tsao, Dr. Tillmann Hein, and Bernice Washington.

CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON STATEMENT ON IRAQ WAR COMING TO AN END

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement following President Obama's announced full troop withdrawal from Iraq by the end of the year:

“I would like to commend the President for honoring his commitment to bring our troops home by the end of the year. More importantly, I want to thank the men and women serving in our armed forces and our veterans for their years of courage, dedication, and patriotism during this war.

From day one, I strongly disagreed with ill-advised military action against Iraq. We must now focus our attention on our domestic priorities, such as putting Americans back to work and rebuilding our economy. We must also uphold the honor of our veterans by providing them with the medical and financial support they deserve. We can never fully repay our troops for their sacrifice, but it is our duty to try.”

CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON ANNOUNCES A $12,000,000 DART GRANT TO REPLACE URBAN TRANSIT BUS FLEET

Transportation has awarded Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) with a $12,000,000 grant to assist with the replacement of their urban transit bus fleet. This project was funded through the DOT’s “State of Good Repair” program and will replace aging, less fuel efficient buses currently operating in the DART fleet.

"I am happy to announce that the Department of Transportation will award DART $12 million to be used for the replacement of buses in the Urban Transit Bus Fleet that have reached or surpassed their useful service period. I could not be happier, because improvements in transit opens up job opportunities to more of the Dallas community,” Congresswoman Johnson said.

Congresswoman Johnson Hosts 19th Annual Community Appreciation Day

Congresswoman Johnson recently hosted her 19th Annual Community Appreciation Day at Dallas’ Main Street Gardens.

She has always been a firm believer in the power of community cohesiveness and Congresswoman Johnson relishes any chance she gets to bring Dallas’ diverse citizenry together.

This year’s event was an immense success thanks to a rich diversity of performers, gracious sponsors, and local volunteers. Turnout ranged from toddlers to longtime citizens of Dallas.

CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON ANNOUNCES HUD SECTION 108 LOAN GUARANTEE TO CITY OF DALLAS

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the City of Dallas $8,492,000 in the form of a Section 108 loan guarantee. The Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program is a source of financing allotted for the economic development, housing rehabilitation, public facilities rehab, construction or installation for the benefit of low- to moderate-income persons, or to aid in the prevention of deteriorated living conditions.

“This project will bring a welcomed infusion of jobs and money to the district, all while providing low- and middle-income residents with affordable housing and services. This will help add value to our community and create jobs at a time when they are needed most,” Congresswoman Johnson stated.

The funds will be loaned out to the City Wide Community Development Corporation, which will go toward the development of the Lancaster Corridor to bring an entirely new 226,000-square-foot, four-story, mixed-use commercial and residential development to our district. According to the terms of the loan agreement, this development, known as the Lancaster Urban Village, will contain retail, restaurant, and small office space, as well as hundreds of new residences which will be occupied by at least 51% percent low- and moderate-income individuals.

CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON REMEMBERS THE LIFE OF CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER REV. FRED SHUTTLESWORTH

Congresswoman Johnson presented a Congressional Record Statement on the floor of the House of Representatives to honor the life of a pillar of the Civil Rights Movement, Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth, who passed away yesterday at the age of 89.

Reverend Shuttlesworth was a major force in the formation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a civil rights organization that helped to mobilize thousands of people to rally and protest in the name of equality. He was one of the primary leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and worked hand in hand with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy. Rev. Shuttlesworth also helped to organize the Freedom Rides through his work with the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE).

Reverand Shuttlesworth shown her in the middle

“Reverend Shuttlesworth was a man of exceptional character. His fierce personality and great sense of personal sacrifice helped him to persevere during a most troubling time in our nation’s history,” Congresswoman Johnson said. “Reverend Shuttlesworth had the vision and understanding to look beyond himself and make great personal sacrifices for the greater cause that was justice and equality. We must honor that sacrifice by continuing to protect that same justice and equality that he and countless others have given so much for.”

CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON SPEAKS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TO SUPPORT CLEAN AIR REGULATION

Congresswoman Johnson spoke on the Floor of the House of Representatives in opposition to the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act.

"I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2681 – the ‘Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011’."

"As we all know, cement plants are one of the primary sources of mercury pollution in the U.S. In my state of Texas alone, there are 10 cement plants which emitted 225 pounds of mercury in 2009 alone. It takes only one-seventieth of a teaspoon of mercury to contaminate a 25-acre lake and render the fish unsafe to eat. And children are the most vulnerable. "

"Mercury exposure impairs a child’s ability to learn, write, walk, talk, and read. As a registered nurse, I have seen first hand how children are particularly sensitive to emissions of mercury and other air toxins. As a mother and grandmother, I won’t stand by and watch these emissions go unchecked."
"I have always been a strong and proud defender of EPA’s charge to protect public health and the environment. In 2009, I led a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson calling for even stronger emissions standards to reduce mercury pollution. And last year, I was pleased to see that the EPA finalized standards for cement plant emissions that will reduce mercury and particulate matter pollution by over 90 percent, resulting in health savings up to $18 billion each year."

"Despite the noise that we have heard in recent months, the EPA’s regulations DO NOT kill jobs. As the Ranking Member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee I know that our nation’s scientific, entrepreneurial and industrial sectors have and will innovate to meet new standard as they always have. We will reduce air pollution in this country while creating thousands of jobs."
"The predictions of widespread economic disruption and collapse of our industrial sector because of what some call an overreaching Clean Air Act have been proven wrong time and again. We should expect that today’s hysteria will be no different."

"Therefore, I stand with the citizens of Texas and impacted communities across the nation in opposing this bill, and not with the big polluters. Congress passed the Clean Air Act 40 years ago, and we have cleaner air today because of it. But we can always do better."

"That is why we must support the purpose and mission of the EPA, and oppose H.R. 2681."

Congresswoman Johnson Greets President Obama As He Arrives In Dallas

"Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting President Obama as he arrived at LOVE Field in Dallas to carry the message of the American Jobs Act to the American people."

The American Jobs Act would include tax credits for companies hiring veterans, aid to state and local governments to prevent the layoffs of police, firefighters and up to 280,000 teachers, the modernization of 35,000 public schools, and a multi-billion dollar infrastructure fund to help modernize roads, bridges, railroads and airports.
“I have always believed that the investments we make in research, education, and innovation today will create the jobs of tomorrow. I support the President’s plan to help our innovators and entrepreneurs create new technologies, rehire quality teachers for our classrooms, and build new companies and create the high-paying, high-skills jobs that will keep our economy strong and continue to improve the standard of living for all of us."