Congresswoman Johnson Congratulates Research Scientists On Their Groundbreaking Accomplishments

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson , Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science Space & Technology congratulated honorees at the ceremony for the first annual Golden Goose Awards was held. The awards, originally conceived by Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN), were created to highlight seemingly obscure research efforts supported by federal funds that have resulted in economic and societal benefits.

Dr. Osamu Shimomura, Dr. Martin Chalfie and Dr. Roget Tsien were honored for their discovery of green fluorescent protein while seeking to identify why jellyfish grow green. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) has led to advances in genetics, cell biology, and a better understanding of cancer and brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s.  Dr. Eugene White, Dr. Rodney White, Dr. Della Roy and the late Dr. Jon Weber were honored for their work in developing bone grafts from coral found in tropical oceans.

Congresswoman Johnson praised the accomplishments of the awardees.

“At a time when some question the value of federal investments in this type of research, these awardees demonstrate how federally funded science research can and does yield unexpected results with immeasurable benefits to the American economy and to the American public as a whole. Perhaps no one person embodies this more than Dr. Charles Townes, the inventor of laser technology.  The enormous economic and societal implications of laser technology are obvious to all and though they may not be as well known yet, the research discoveries of the other recipients have also touched the lives of people across the world. The Golden Goose Awards are a reminder to us all that the value of the science cannot be judged by the title of a grant proposal alone.  I congratulate the awardees and thank them for their important work.”

The awards were supported by: the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the Breakthrough Institute, the Progressive Policy Institute, the Task Force on American Innovation, the Richard Lounsbery Foundation, The Science Coalition, United for Medical Research, the American Chemical Society, the American Mathematical Society and the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Congresswoman Johnson Comments On STEM Education On OpenGov TV

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson discusses STEM Education on OpenGov TV.

"I have been very hard nosed about looking for every opportunity to help minorities and women every step of the way." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Opengov.tv

Congresswoman Johnson's Braintrust Drives Students Toward STEM - Politics 365

As we enter the Digital Age, the need to fill the millions of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) jobs will be vital.  Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that this will be an important feat for the entire nation, the need for more racial diversity in the STEM fields is an even greater problem to solve for communities of color.

During the highly acclaimed Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 2012 Legislative Conference, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), a longtime proponent of STEM education and the ranking member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, chaired her four-hour long signature Science & Technology Brain Trust to encourage and increase minority youth awareness, interest, and participation in STEM-related education and careers.

“All during my career, the message has been ‘we need more women and minorities involved,’ and you know at some point in my life, that might have been to make it look diverse, but now it is essential because there is a growing population,” the Congresswoman said. “If we’re going to remain on the stage of the world, we got to produce the talent.”

At the event moderated by Harvard University graduate and renowned actress Tatyana Ali, the audience, filled with students from Washington, D.C.’s McFarland Middle School and Luke C. Moore Academy High School, among others, listened to three panels of STEM role models who shared their personal journeys, inspirations, initiatives, and passions for STEM.

Some of the panelists included WRC-TV Meteorologist and Atmospheric Scientist Veronica Johnson; NASA Astronaut Stephanie Wilson; educators Birdette Hughey and Joe Isaac; former Howard University Hospital Director of Literacy for Children and daughter of Dr. Charles Drew, Bebe Price; Shell Oil Company’s Workforce Development Initiative Lead Mike Alvarez; and Google’s Jordan Lloyd Bookey.

Article From Politics-365

Congresswoman Johnson Is Honored At The 2012 STEM Champions Reception By Open Gov TV

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was recently honored by Open Gov TV for her work in STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at the STEM Champions Reception.  Congresswoman Johnson was awarded the prestigious STEM Champion Award for serving as an innovative  leader and advocate for increasing diversity in the STEM fields.

“It is an honor to receive the STEM Champion Award and I thank Open Gov TV for recognizing my work in STEM Education,” said Congresswoman Johnson.

“As the Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I have worked hard to ensure that all Americans have equal opportunities and exposure in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math,” said Congresswoman Johnson.

The purpose of the STEM Champions Reception was to foster dialogue on how urban America can reduce the wealth gap and participate in the 21^st century global economy.

Congresswoman Johnson Sponsors 'Uniting American Families Act - 2012'

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is a co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) 2012.  Congresswoman Johnson knows that keeping families together is a goal worth fighting for.  UAFA allows lesbian and gay individuals the same opportunity as different-sex, married couples to sponsor their spouse or partner for citizenship purposes.  Under current law, same-sex, bi-national couples are forced to make the decision to either leave the country they love or divide their family. Congresswoman Johnson is also a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, and the Tax Parity for Health Plan Beneficiaries Act, and the repeal of Defense of Marriage Act. 

Congresswoman Johnson Hosts 2012 Science & Technology Braintrust

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson recently hosted her 2012 Science & Technology Braintrust, Changing The Tide. This years panel which was held at the Washington Convention Center and included Dr. Aziza Baccouche, Veronica Johnson, Herman Hill, Susan Gonzalez, Dr. Irving McPhail, Stephanie D. Wilson, Capt. Barrington Irving, Alfonzo Porter, Birdette Hughey, Bebe Price and Jordan Bookey. The Braintrust panel discussed the role of celebrities, community leaders, and mentors in encouraging youth in the 21st century.

Congresswoman Johnson Discusses Voting Rights In Washington

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was joined by fellow Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn, Congressman Bennie Thompson, and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge) at a Voting Rights panel in Washington. The discussion covered various aspects of The Voting Rights Act of 1965, the struggle for minority voting rights in America, and the challenges we face in several states if new Voter ID Laws are implemented.

"We are committed to making sure all Americans are aware of the different changes in state voting laws and voter I.D. requirements." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Discusses Governor Perry's And The Republican's 'War On Women'

On August 21, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an injunction that had barred Texas from enforcing its ban against Planned Parenthood’s participation in the Women’s Health Program, a Medicaid program that provides health screenings and family planning services to more than 100,000 low-income and uninsured women.

As a non-practicing registered nurse, and a Member of the United States Congress representing the 30th District of Texas, I am appalled by the reckless agenda of Republican lawmakers who insist on blocking women’s access to basic, preventative health care services under the pretext of defunding abortion. Abortion is not the issue here – it is a political distraction from the critical issue of providing health care to women. As Governor Perry knows well, those Planned Parenthood health centers that participate in the Texas Women’s Health Program are financially and legally separate from Planned Parenthood health centers that provide abortions. Yet he continues to score cheap political points at the expense of the wellbeing of women in Texas.

For more than 75 years, women in Texas have relied on Planned Parenthood for access to vital services such as life saving cancer screenings, annual exams, and health education information. Planned Parenthood is the single largest provider of care within the Women’s Health Program, providing health care to 52,000 women in Texas.

By barring Planned Parenthood from the Women’s Health Program, the burden of care will shift to other health care centers across the state, many which do not have the capacity to absorb the new patient load. This dilemma will surely leave thousands of Texas women without care, and further burden a health care system that is already stretched too thin.

It is no secret that Texas’ health care system is in a state of emergency. According to an annual report recently released by the federal Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, Texas has the worst health care system in the Nation, ranking number one for the percentage of uninsured residents. Texas was also rated worst in the Nation in caring for breast cancer patients under age 70. Women in Texas have the third-highest rate of cervical cancer in the United States, a form of cancer which, if found early through annual screenings, is highly curable.

With alarming figures such as these, Governor Perry and Republican lawmakers in Texas should be working overtime to create and implement policies that strengthen and protect the health of women and their families; instead they are doing the exact opposite. In 2011, Governor Perry slashed two-thirds of the budget for women’s health care services, leaving 160,000 low income women without access to health care. Immediately after the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, Governor Perry publicly stated he would not implement the law’s Medicaid expansion provision, which would have provided millions of low-income Texans with health insurance.

As a woman, a mother, and an experienced health care provider, I believe that healthy women result in healthy families and healthy communities. I urge Governor Perry and Republican lawmakers in Texas to set aside politics and put the health of women and their families first.

Congresswoman Johnson's op ed appeared in The Dallas Weekly

Congresswoman Johnson Commemorates The 11th Anniversary Of 9/11

Today, Members of Congress gathered on the steps of the Capitol in remembrance of the victims of the  September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement in recognition of 9/11:

“Eleven years ago today, America was forever changed.  Today, we pause to remember the thousands of people who lost their lives and the loved ones who are still impacted by the devastating terrorist attacks on our Nation. We come together to reflect on their memory and the memory of the brave first responders who sacrificed their lives’ to save their fellow Americans.

This day is never easy and eleven times we have recognized this day in reflection and remembrance of the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost. We are deeply indebted to the members of our Armed Forces who stand ready to protect us from future terrorist attacks.

The strength of the American people has never been tested so greatly, yet our perseverance and resolve has never been greater. We must always continue to honor the lives lost and the families affected.  9/11 will always remain in our hearts and in our prayers.”

Congresswoman Johnson Applauds 5,700 Transportation Sector Jobs Added In August, 2012

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is pleased to note that the transportation sector added 5,700 jobs in August as the U.S. unemployment rate ticked down to 8.1 percent.

As Senior Ranking Texan on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Congresswoman Johnson has been an outspoken advocate for investment in our nation's transportation and infrastructure needs as a means to create good paying jobs for Americans. She is the author of numerous bills that have created transportation and infrastructure sector jobs that have put Americans back to work.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics report showed employment in the transportation sector increased from 4,379,700 in July to 4,385,400 last month.

The transportation sector employment numbers were up from 4,301,000 in August of 2011.

The sector with the highest number of gains in transportation, according to the BLS, was transit and ground passenger transportation, which had 438,300 jobs in August, compared to 433,300 jobs in July.

The largest number of jobs gains in transportation was in trucking, where 1.351 million people were working, compared to 1.350 million in July.

The bureau found employed in the aviation industry ticked down slightly, going from 458,600 in July to 457,000. Rail companies employed 230,700 people in August, compared to 233,000 in July. 

Eddie Bernice Johnson On Science & Technology

EBJ on Science and Technology

"Our nation's global leadership depends on its ability to innovate scientifically and technologically." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson