Congresswoman Johnson Celebrates Unveiling Of Rosa Parks Statue In Statuary Hall In United States Capitol

"It was a great honor to witness the unveiling of the Rosa Parks statue. This statue is a culmination of her legacy in the civil rights struggle, and a remembrance of her act of civil disobedience that helped trigger the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Rosa Parks' courage in standing up to injustices and discrimination changed the face of history, and now she takes her place among our country’s great leaders in Statuary Hall. This year we celebrate what would have been her 100^th birthday, and with this gesture we pay tribute to her tireless efforts during the civil rights movement. Ms. Parks’ story will forever resonate in our hearts and minds, and this statue will allow future generations the opportunity to reflect on an iconic historical figure.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Defends The Need For Section 5 Of Voting Rights Act In 2013 And Beyond

"During this past election cycle, I traveled with my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues on a "Get Out the Vote" bus tour. It was inspiring to see the dedication and strength of so many Americans. I witnessed people standing in lines for hours on end just to exercise their right to vote. These citizens were not discouraged by the long waits, shortened voting hours, and too few voting machines. While I was heartened to see so many take seriously the right to vote, there is no excuse for citizens having to wait for hours in line. Unfortunately, the instances of curtailing citizens' access to the polling place are the new face of voter intimidation."

"This month, The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Shelby County v. Holder, a case that challenges the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Section 5 requires jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory practices to secure advance approval from the Department of Justice or a federal court in Washington, D.C. before implementing any changes in voting or election procedures. In this way, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act encourages localities to establish fair voting practices, but demands real proof of progress. The discrimination on the basis of race is a persistent reality throughout many states protected by Section 5. Civil rights leaders and activists have traveled a long and arduous road to guarantee the right to vote for all Americans. A reversal of Section 5 sends a clear message to the American people, that combating and preventing discriminatory practices at the polls is not a priority."

"Critics of the Voting Rights Act argue that voting discrimination is an idea of the past, primarily because we elected the first black President of the United States of America. But our history shows us that even after the ratification of the 15th Amendment, civil rights laws were routinely ignored and violated for nearly a century. Significant barriers, like poll taxes, literacy tests, or threats of violence, were used to prevent African American citizens from voting."

"After extensive testimony, and a wealth of evidence to substantiate the act's necessity, Congress passed the 2006 reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act by a vote of 98-0 in the Senate and 390-33 in the House. In this past election, more than 41 states had introduced, and in many instances passed, legislation that would make it more difficult for Americans to vote. The limitations came in the form of overly burdensome voter ID requirement and shortened voting hours. With these instances, we can see that the Voting Rights Act is a necessity because it provides a remedy to protect voters, either by addressing actual instances of discrimination or by preventing discrimination from occurring in the first place."

"We stand at a new juncture on our journey to protect voting rights. The American people stood up and fought back against voter intimidation, but it is ultimately the duty of Congress and the courts to protect voters. Present-day disenfranchisement may come in different forms than in the past, but that does not dispute the fact that a fundamental piece of our democracy is in jeopardy. Our fight for voting rights must never cease. The Voting Rights Act is just as critical to protecting voters as it was in the past, and it is my duty, and that of my colleagues in public service, to ensure that voters are protected from blatant acts of voter disenfranchisement." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Source Huffington Post

Congresswoman Johnson Leads Roundtable Discussion To Promote Peace And Security For Women In African Nations

 Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson co-hosted a roundtable discussion with her Congressional Black Caucus colleague Congresswoman Karen Bass entitled Promoting Peace and Security for Women in African Nations. 

The purpose of the roundtable was to foster a dialogue on the plight of women in African nations, and to identify how best to strengthen the efforts of peace and security for women in Africa.

Congresswoman Johnson  has been an outspoken advocate for the rights of women and children around the world and continues to be a leading voice in Washington on these issues.

Congresswoman Johnson Discusses Looming Sequester Cuts With Martin Bashir On MSNBC's C

MB: Congresswoman, good afternoon. isn't this actual sequester, let's be honest, exactly whatrepublicans like paul ryan have been longing for? i mean, you know that he's put together multiple budgets that would slash everything from meals on wheels to transportationservices for the disabled . this sequester, it just gives him the chance to see all of these services cut to pieces and he sits back with clean hands and an impure heart. is that not true?

EBJ: Well, sure it's true. the unfortunate thing is that this is not about obama. it's not about the president. it's about the people of this nation. it's about the future of this nation. we cannot afford to cut off all of our future because of the threat of sequester. we cannot go forward unless we do some forward thinking and planning. we cannot do that when we're cutting off all of our research and development , when we're cutting off all of our military jobs. texas, for example, stands to lose over 90,000 jobs. now, these are jobs where people make more than minimum wage and they're part of the middle class . if we lose 100,000 jobs just because of sequester, that is just the tip of the iceberg .

MB: And that is one state. that is one state.

EBJ: One state. one state.

MB: Congresswoman, my colleague, the reverend al sharpton , just interviewed the president on the radio. i'd like to you take a listen to what the president said about these cuts.

EBJ: They would prefer to see these kinds of cuts that could slow down our recover over closing tax loopholes. and that's the thing that binds their party together at this point.

MB: Do you agree that republicans are in a sense enjoying this fight because what it's doing by default is unifying them over something? because they're clearly in disarray following november, but here is a fight where they can basically agree.

EBJ: They seem to be agreeing, and it's unfortunate because, you know, just to be sticking it to the president is not the answer. this is not the president's responsibility at this time. it is the responsibility of this congress. and we will be held responsible. this down slide started back in 2001 . it has continued, and, yes, we've got to do some cutting. but we cannot continue to cut jobs. we've got to create jobs. when you have two of the longest wars in history and big tax breaks , there is no way to get around it. we've got to reverse that. we have already --

MB: But, ma'am, the irony here appears to be that republicans who have spent the last four years telling us they're committed to job creation and national security are happy to head towards a sequester where national security will be threatened and jobs will be lost, not created according to some estimates. 800,000 jobs.

EBJ: Indeed. because it cuts off all of the research money, all of the innovation money, all of our universities' research, medical school research, all of that creates jobs, and it creates break-throughs. that is the future of america. this does away with our future. we will just be a third world country watching the rest of the world go by when we don't look out for our future. unfortunately, there were people in the past who did look out for our future and that's how we did so well. but unless we look out for our future now, there is no future for this country. we've got to educate, we've got to innovate, we've got to create jobs. we cannot continue to just cut jobs. it does not do anything positive for the economy to keep cutting jobs.

MB: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, thank you for joining us.

Watch the video at MSNBC

Congresswoman Johnson Vigorously Defends The Voting Rights Act

On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus,  Congresswoman Johnson gave a floor speech in the House of Representatives.

 "Mr. Speaker, this month the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Shelby v. Holder, a case that challenges the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  It is imperative that the Voting Rights Act is upheld in its entirety, for without it, a fundamental piece of our democracy will be out of reach for millions in this country."

"As we saw in the recent election, discrimination on the basis of race is a persistent reality throughout many localities in states protected by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  Without these protections, voters are at risk of losing their fundamental right to vote."

 "The Voting Rights Act provides a remedy to protect voters, either by addressing actual instances of discrimination or by preventing discrimination from happening in the first place."

 "Section 5 provides localities the opportunity to prove that they are fully committed to ensuring everyone has the right to vote, and sets out clear criteria for doing so.  In this way, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act encourages localities to establish fair voting practices, but demands real proof of progress."

"The Constitution is unequivocally clear that Congress has the authority to protect voters. That is why Congress has spent so much time in 2006 reviewing all of the data and hearing from all sides.  The 2006 re-authorization was recognition that discrimination still exists, and that Congress has a responsibility to ensure that every voter may continue to exercise their right to vote."

Congresswoman Johnson Shares Comments On President Obama's State Of The Union Address

On the Economy:

“The President’s address focused on how best to grow our economy and create more jobs, and I applaud his efforts to ensure that our country is moving forward.  Investments in research and innovation are key to our efforts to create more jobs.  The mandatory cuts that are set to take effect after March 1^st will be detrimental to research institutions like the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and FDA. We must invest in research and development because it is critical for America to remain a leader in global innovation.”

“As the President noted in his address, we must encourage companies to make it in America so that we can bolster our manufacturing sector. Investments in our future are imperative to moving our country in the right direction.”

“I am a strong supporter of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. In his remarks, the President advocated for education policy that is better equipped to graduate students in STEM fields. Our country has a demand for high-skilled workers, and we must provide the resources our students need to excel in these careers. We must continue to emphasize the importance of STEM education because employers are looking for those skills to fill jobs here in the United States. If we want to remain on the competitive stage globally, then we must invest in STEM education.”

On Infrastructure:

“The President’s “Fix-It-First” program would both get people back to work, and address our aging infrastructure’s most urgent repairs.”

On Deficit Reduction:

“I agree with the President that we must have a balanced approach in cutting our deficit. Our country is in the process of rebuilding, and I believe that relief for the American people is on the horizon. Republican Members of Congress continue to push the message of slashing government spending, but we have cut so much already. They operate under the notion that our deficit created itself, or that these were not debts we incurred in the past. We can’t afford to just keep cutting without additional sources of revenue.  The cuts will affect law enforcement, our first responders, nutrition assistance to low-income families, and emergency unemployment compensation.  Deeper cuts to essential programs that assist small businesses and promote educational opportunities will have a detrimental impact on the future of this Nation. We need to have a bipartisan balanced approach in cutting the deficit.”

On Immigration Reform:

“I applaud the President’s push for a comprehensive immigration system. The time is now to act to on immigration reform.  Many immigrants come to America looking for a better day, and I am supportive of providing opportunities to those that are hopeful for a better tomorrow. I believe that we must have a responsible pathway to citizenship, as well as protecting our border. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle must come together to create a plan that is truly comprehensive.”

On Climate Change:

“I was pleased to see that climate change was a focus in the President’s address. As the Ranking Member on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, it is my duty and that of my colleagues to ensure we address our changing climate.  We must continue to foster policies that are focused on prevention and prediction of devastating natural disasters. It is well past the time to address the costly impacts of a changing climate.”

On Gun Control:

“The horrific events like those at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and tragedies we see every day across this country are grim reminders of the need to curb gun violence. I am from a state where gun rights are extremely important, but I believe we must have commonsense reform.  Background checks are needed to make sure that those who try and buy guns are mentally stable and of appropriate age. We need to restrict high capacity magazines, because too many lives have been lost already.”

Congresswoman Johnson Urges House GOP Leadership to Pass Bipartisan VAWA Reauthorization

“Today’s passage in the Senate of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization is a significant step towards protecting all victims of violence.  I applaud Senate Democrats and Republicans for working together to pass a strong, bipartisan VAWA Reauthorization bill, and urge my GOP colleagues to take up this bill quickly and so we can get it to the President’s desk for signature,” said Congresswoman Johnson.

“It has been 501 days since House Republicans allowed VAWA to expire. A delay in bringing this bill to a vote in the House is unconscionable,” Congresswoman Johnson noted.  “We are essentially asking victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to wait for the protection they desperately need.  Congress must send a strong message that the American people will not tolerate violent crimes against women.”

The bipartisan Senate bill includes provisions to ensure that all victims of domestic violence, including Native Americans, immigrants and members of the LBGT community, receive the resources and protections they need.  VAWA will significantly strengthen the ability of Federal and State governments, law enforcement, and service providers to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

On January 22, 2013, Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), House Judiciary Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI), and other House Democrats introduced H.R. 11, a VAWA Reauthorization identical to the Senate bill.  H.R. 11 currently has 194 Democratic cosponsors.

Congresswoman Johnson Hosts Her 18th Annual Faith-Based Prayer Breakfast

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson held her 18^th Annual Prayer Breakfast at the Baylor Health Care Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center.  The theme of this years event was “The Cost of Humanity: Protecting and Providing for Society’s Vulnerable.”  

Congresswoman Johnson is a founding co-chair of the Congressional Homeless Caucus, and has identified an increased need for services for those who are lacking basic necessities in the 30^th district. “Everyone in a shelter did not start there, and whether it’s a single mother, veteran, or professional who has fallen on hard times, it is our responsibility as a community to lift them up as they transition to improved circumstances,” said Congresswoman Johnson.

Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the presiding Bishop for the 10^th Episcopal District for the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council of the White House Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, gave the keynote address.  Congresswoman Johnson also honored Bishop J. Neaul Haynes, a long-standing board member of the Church of God in Christ.

“It is very fitting to honor Bishop Haynes among his peers at this year’s Annual Prayer Breakfast. His tireless service with the Church of God in Christ has served the North Texas community and the Nation for over six decades,” said Congresswoman Johnson.

Joel Allison, President & CEO of Baylor Health Care System, also offered remarks during the prayer breakfast.“Congresswoman Johnson has always been there for those who are in need of help. She has always been there for the downtrodden. We are grateful for her leadership,” said President Allison.

More than one hundred leaders of the North Texas faith-based community were in attendance and discussed the importance of providing assistance to those that are poverty-stricken in Dallas. A diverse group of faith leaders from the Baptist, Church of God in Christ, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu communities attended the prayer breakfast. 

Congresswoman Johnson Introduces The National Nurses Act 2013

Congresswoman Johnson has introduced the bipartisan National Nurse Act of 2013. The National Nurse Act of 2013 would designate the Chief Nurse Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service as the “National Nurse for Public Health.” The National Nurse for Public Health would function alongside the Surgeon General and focus on health promotion, improving healthcare literacy, and reducing health disparities.

“As the first registered nurse in Congress, I know from experience how nurses play a critical role in health promotion and disease prevention."

“Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease threaten the health of so many Americans. The National Nurse for Public Health would raise awareness about what each of us can do to prevent illness while improving our own health and that of our families.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Recognizes The Anniversary Of The Ratification Of The 15th Amendment

On February 3, 1870, the 15^th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified. The 15^th amendment banned race-based voting qualifications, and granted African American men the right to vote. Although ratified, the promise embodied in the 15^th Amendment would not be fulfilled for almost a century.  African American men would be disenfranchised by the use of poll taxes, literacy tests, or threats of violence.  Not until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were the majority of African Americans in the South registered to vote.  

“Yesterday, we remembered a landmark day in history – the ratification of the 15^th  Amendment to our constitution in 1870.  While this was a turning point in the fight to secure voting rights for African Americans, there were still significant barriers in place to bar them from the polling place,” said Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. “It is important that we remember this milestone in the long and arduous road to guaranteeing the right to vote for all Americans.”  Congresswoman Johnson continued, “The right to vote is a fundamental principle of our democracy, and we must remain vigilant against any attempts to limit access to the polls.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Later this month, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Shelby County v. Holder, which tests the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, those states and localities that have a history of discriminatory practices must submit any proposed changes in election laws to the Justice Department and show that the laws are not discriminatory before they can go into effect. Under current law, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act remains in effect until 2031.

Congresswoman Johnson Praises Work Of Center For Brain Health In Dallas

"Scientists tell us that the brain is the most important component of the human body. It determines the rate of our heartbeats, our mobility, our sight, our memories, our speech patterns and a number of other significant functions. When there is no longer any brain activity, the human body is declared clinically dead.

Perhaps the most significant institution in the country that studies the human brain is the Center for Brain Health within the University of Texas at Dallas system, located at 2200 West Mockingbird Lane.  There researchers are studying how the brain functions and the roots of its learning process, how to protect the brain from disabling diseases how to restore brain function once  damage has occurred and methods  to construct healthier brains.

During a meeting with its founder and chief director, Dr. Sandra Chapman, members of my staff and I learned that the Center was working with three major groups that are crucial to the wellness of our society. They are soldiers returning from battle, school children and senior citizens.

Soldiers are being taught how to make smooth transitions from activities on battlefields. Emphasis is placed on teaching them how to become successful and productive members of civilian society.

A program titled “teen smart” demonstrates to young people how to think critically, and suggests paths that prepare them for the future. The program for seniors helps them to develop skills that assist with decision making, and identifies ways to recognize and divert cognitive decline.

The Center’s programs are not only important for North Texas, but are relevant and necessary for the entire nation. They give us hope.  The focus of the scientific research at the Center includes autism, strokes, brain injury, attention deficit disorder, addictions, post-traumatic stress, and Alzheimer’s disease. Funding from the stimulus package passed by Congress has enabled the Center to conduct important and necessary research." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Article from North Dallas Gazette

Congresswoman Johnson Encourages Young Women To Pursue Careers In Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson spoke to a group of young women from the Dallas area at an educational seminar sponsored by the Dallas Chapter of the Links, encouraging them to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering, & math (STEM) fields.  

“Don’t let anyone discourage you or tell you that you can’t compete and perform in the hard sciences,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “You are preparing yourselves for your future, which is critically important. Focus on your education and you will be successful.”

Congresswoman Johnson continued, “I applaud the Links for taking time to work with young people in such a vital field. These young people are the future. Let me stress how important it is to take advantage of the opportunities that are being presented to you. I am a Member of Congress, and I haven’t done anything that you can’t do.”

Throughout the course of the day, the girls were mentored by University of Texas at Dallas educators, graduate students, PhD candidates and STEM professionals.  They conducted supervised science experiments and received guidance and advice from the speakers.  

The Links, a national women’s service organization, recently appointed Congresswoman Johnson to be chair of the National STEM Career Readiness Initiative for the organization.

Congresswoman Johnson Marks 10th Anniversary Of Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy

Congresswoman Johnson, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science Space & Technology wrote the following column for The Hill marking the 10th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy:

"Ten years ago, the U.S. space program and the Nation suffered a tragedy that was a stark reminder of the challenges and risks involved in human spaceflight. On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart over Texas on its way home. Commander Rick Husband, pilot William McCool, mission specialists Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, and David Brown, payload commander Michael Anderson, and Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut, were all lost when part of Columbia’s heat-resistant surface failed to protect the Shuttle orbiter as it re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere."

'In the ensuing months, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) proceeded to painstakingly study what went wrong and how such a tragedy could be avoided in the future. While the Board found that a piece of foam insulation that broke off the fuel tank and hit the left wing — damaging the one of the protective surfaces — was the immediate cause, they also found numerous other issues that contributed to the loss of the Shuttle. These included mischaracterization of the Shuttle as an operational system when in fact it was “still far from a routine operational undertaking”; years of resource constraints that were not well matched to the program’s actual needs, and cultural and organizational traits that crept into the Shuttle program — including being lulled into letting past successes serve as a substitute for enforcing rigorous engineering and test practices. "

"Today, we find ourselves at the beginning of yet another chapter in the Nation’s space exploration program. With the Shuttle fleet retired, NASA’s human space flight priorities are focused on effective use of the International Space Station; the development of a beyond low Earth orbit exploration capability using the System Launch System and Orion crew capsule; and public/private partnerships that, if successful, will eventually allow NASA to buy rides — not vehicles — to transport its astronauts to the ISS."

"The difficult economic environment the rest of the Nation is dealing with has hit NASA as well. Yet, in spite of years of having its funding tightened, NASA is still expected to continue to successfully carry out the ambitious programs the Nation has asked the agency to undertake. While I agree that attempts to wring out inefficiencies and avoidable costs should always be encouraged, we need to ensure that safety is not compromised in the process.  Unfortunately, according to the Aerospace Advisory Panel, a body established by Congress in 1968 to provide advice and make recommendations to the NASA Administrator on safety matters, there are troubling indicators that this is increasingly a possibility."

"In addition, we cannot let our enthusiasm for the efforts of private enterprises — albeit ones that are getting significant taxpayer funding — to develop vehicles that could one day fly NASA astronauts to the International Space Station lull us into a false sense of complacency. As the CAIB noted throughout its investigation, by the time of the Columbia accident there was a “widespread but erroneous perception of the Space Shuttle as somehow comparable to civil or military air transport. They are not comparable; the inherent risks of spaceflight are vastly higher, and our experience level with spaceflight is vastly lower. If Shuttle operations came to be viewed as routine, it was, at least in part, thanks to the skill and dedication of those involved in the program. They have made it look easy, though in fact it never was.” As we contemplate new human spaceflight systems, whether governmental or commercial, we should never forget that fact, or let tight budgets blind us to the need to take the necessary steps to ensure safety is protected."

"The best way to honor the crewmembers of the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 mission is to remember the hard lessons learned from that tragedy.  Space travel is risky and is not yet mature. We cannot be lulled into a false sense of security that we know it all, because we don’t. I will work steadfastly with my fellow members of Congress to ensure that we pursue a meaningful human space flight program for our Nation, one that can continue to inspire Americans to look to the future, yet one that is grounded in NASA’s decades of experience, expertise, and hard-earned lessons. As we pause to mark the 10th anniversary of the loss of Columbia, I hope that we will recommit ourselves to continuing the important work for which its astronauts gave their lives." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Article from The Hill

Congresswoman Johnson Celebrates Black History Month

“Since 1976 we have observed February as Black History Month – a commemoration to honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans to the United States.  Throughout history, African American men and women have made invaluable contributions to our Nation, and have played an essential role in shaping this country’s story and identity.  Because of the hardships that those who came before us had to endure, we can live in a country where equality and justice can be achieved."

"This year the theme of Black History Month is “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality”, and celebrates landmark events in American history – 150^th anniversary of Emancipation Proclamation and the 50^thanniversary of the March on Washington.  In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring “all persons held as slaves” in rebellious states “shall be then, thenceforward and forever free.”  In March 1963, hundreds of thousands of Americans  marched and witnessed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. give his famous “I Have A Dream” speech.  Historians credit the march on Washington as playing a key role that led to the enactment of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965."

“African Americans continue to contribute to our nation and to make great strides.  Last month we re-elected the first African American President of the United States to his second term.  Although we have come a long way on the path to righting injustices, we must continue to work to achieve equality for people all over the world.  As we reflect on the oppression that our ancestors endured, we must continue to move towards a day when all Americans can achieve their version of the American Dream.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson