Congresswoman Johnson = NOH8 On The Hill

"Discrimination in any realm is still inequality. I stand with NOH8 because we share a vision that America was founded on the promise of equality for all. I am here to continue to fight on all fronts because I know at the end change will follow." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Praises The Supreme Court's Decision To Strike Down The Defense Of Marriage Act

“The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act is a monumental victory for marriage equality in this country.  As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month, the Court’s decision is a timely affirmation of our commitment to preserve equal rights for all Americans. Discrimination in all of its forms is still inequality, and I am proud that the highest court in our land has taken a strong stance in favor of equal rights for all Americans.

I was proud to join with 211 of my House and Senate colleagues to file an amicus brief, urging the Court to uphold the lower court’s ruling in U.S. v. Edith Schlain Windsor that DOMA is unconstitutional. With this landmark decision, same-sex couples will now have access to more than 1,100 federal laws, programs, and benefits that were traditionally afforded only to opposite-sex couples. Today’s decision moves our country forward as we continue to fight for equal rights for all American citizens.  ” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johns

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Congresswoman Johnson Stresses The Need For Continued Scientific Research Funding

"What do the Internet, magnetic resonance imaging, Doppler radar, bar codes, genetic advancements, nanotechnology, and fiber optics have in common? The research that led to their development was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Congress established NSF in 1950 “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense...” The taxpayers’ investments in NSF since 1950 have achieved all these goals to the great benefit of all Americans.

NSF currently funds research and education activities at more than 2,000 universities, colleges, K-12 schools, businesses, and other research institutions throughout the United States. Every grant, cooperative agreement, and contract approved by NSF undergoes a competitive merit review process. Merit review fosters the process of discovery, the means by which researchers can identify emerging challenges and innovative approaches for addressing them.  It is this process that has helped our country become the world leader in science. Grant support, the primary funding mechanism used by NSF, is provided through a peer-review process in which proposals are evaluated by both external experts and NSF program officers for how well they satisfy two main criteria: 1) intellectual merit; and 2) the broader impacts of the proposed research. Through the peer-review process, NSF ensures that proposals submitted are reviewed in-depth by experts in the relevant fields. NSF’s peer-review process is an effective and fair funding approach that has won praise from some of the toughest critics of government spending and is considered the “gold standard” for research funding throughout the world. 

Although NSF’s research and development budget accounts for only about 4 percent of all federally funded research, the role of NSF in promoting fundamental research is vital to the nation’s scientific enterprise. This basic research, which is generally considered too risky to be undertaken by the private sector, provides the essential foundation for technology development and innovation. Economists have estimated that these technological advancements are responsible for at least half of the gains in gross domestic product since World War II. As the late Dr. Allan Bromley, science advisor to former President George H.W. Bush, put it, “No science, no surplus. It’s that simple.”

Though NSF is primarily known for its role in science and engineering research, NSF is the premier STEM education research organization in the country. For decades, NSF has been a leader in improving our collective understanding of how students learn, and how we can develop the most effective and inspiring curriculum and train the most effective and inspiring teachers. This isn’t about the federal government taking over curriculum or teacher certification. It is about researchers contributing their deep expertise to making sure our teachers are well prepared and our students are really learning. We need to ensure that the U.S. continues to produce the world’s best scientists, mathematicians, and engineers and to make sure that every student is prepared for the highly technical, high-paying jobs of the future. 

The unique role NSF plays in supporting research with yet unknown applications across all fields of science and engineering has had a profound impact on the course of this country. I can think of no better example of this fact than Larry Page and Sergey Brin’s prototype Internet search engine, PageRank, which arose directly from their NSF-funded work. PageRank is still used in their search engine service, now known as Google. Today, Google has over 50,000 employees and is worth over $100 billion.  

I hate to think of all the discoveries that would not have been made without NSF. Its mission, vision and goals are designed to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the U.S. science and engineering enterprise and to ensure that Americans benefit fully from all of the activities that NSF supports. As Congress moves to reauthorize NSF this year, I intend to continue to remind Members of the important role NSF plays in our national R&D enterprise. It is truly a national treasure." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Source: Physics Frontline Op Ed

Congresswoman Johnson Reacts To The Supreme Court's Decision To Strike Down Section 4 Of The Voting Rights Act Of 1965

“Today, the Supreme Court dealt a devastating blow to those who have fought to restore the integrity of the electoral process.  The Court’s decision will turn back decades of sacrifice by civil rights leaders and legislators who have continuously fought to preserve equal voting rights for minorities.  Despite much progress, there is still a mountain of evidence to suggest that present-day disenfranchisement and suppressive tactics are still being used at polling places.  During the 2012  election cycle, many states enacted oppressive voting laws that aimed to alienate, intimidate, and ultimately discourage minorities from exercising their right to cast their ballots at the polls.  In the state of Texas, the strictest voter ID laws in the country were struck down because of the protection under the Voting Rights Act.

Now is the time for Congress to put aside partisan politics, and truly work in a bipartisan manner to ensure we are protecting all American citizens’ voting rights.  As we move forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to develop an updated formula for determining which states must seek preclearance. We must not delay on something so crucial as protecting the inalienable American right to vote.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Marks World Refugee Day

Congresswoman Johnson recently held an event to shed light on the plight of refugees around the world during World Refugee Day.

"Thank you to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees & international bestselling author and UNHCR Goodwill Envoy Khaled Hosseini for speaking at the event. Mr. Hosseini has used his books “The Kite Runner” & “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and celebrity to help refugees around the globe." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Discusses The Benefits Of Investment In Science With Bill Nye The Science Guy and Karen Finney on MSNBC

Congresswoman Johnson and Bill Nye 'the Science Guy' recently joined MSNBC Disrupt's Karen Finney to discuss the importance of investing in science and research, and the problem in Congress right now when some leaders refuse to accept basic scientific facts.

"There has not been a single dollar of investment that did not bring back $3 or $4." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

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Congresswoman Johnson On Gender Pay Gap

"Equal pay is not simply a woman’s issue – it’s a family issue.  With a significant pay gap still existing between men and women, let us all vow to work together until we have achieved an America where women are truly paid equal pay for equal work." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Supports NOH8 On The Hill Campaign

"I am proud to support the NOH8 campaign. I took a great photo to go along with this national campaign of photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with "NOH8" painted on one cheek in protest. Many members of Congress participated today." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Pressures GOP To Prevent Spike In Student Loan Rates

Student loan interest rates are about to double for 7 million students unless Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill can reach agreement on a bipartisan deal.

But there is one point of agreement across party lines: Members of the Texas delegation say they want to make college more affordable.

On July 1, interest rates will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent unless Congress agrees to some sort of bipartisan deal. Undergraduates with subsidized loans receive aid based on financial need and increased interest rates could be a heavy burden on these students.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson has been leading the charge on social media to draw attention to the potential increase in student loan rates and to demonstrate how a large number of students  are already struggling with massive debt.

The Dallas Democrat voiced her concerns via Twitter: The clock is ticking: the GOP has 19 days left to keep college affordable for America's students and middle class families. Hardworking families already carry $1 trillion in student loan debt – and we must act to ease, not exacerbate, that burden. — US Rep E.B.Johnson

Source: Houston Chronicle - Texas On The Potomac

Congresswoman Johnson Calls for an End to the Gender Pay Gap

“Fifty years ago today, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act of 1963 into law. The Act has been instrumental in advancing women’s right to equal pay in the workplace, but our work is not over.

According to a new report from the American Association of University Women, women in Texas earned just 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. That is why we need the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would update and strengthen the Equal Pay Act. The Paycheck Fairness Act would provide remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages for equal work, and it would protect employees who share salary information with their colleagues.

This legislation is a crucial next step in our efforts to combat wage disparities. I urge my Republican colleagues to bring this bill to floor, so we can finally achieve equality in pay for American women.” - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Honors Dorie Miller The Hero Of Pearl Harbor

"While I was growing up in Waco, Texas, Doris Miller, who was known as “Dorie,” was a local hero. Residents of the town were proud of him and the contributions that he made to the nation during World War II as he risked his life aboard a naval vessel that was being attacked by Japanese piloted war planes on December 7th, 1941 in Pearl Harbor.

Mr. Miller, who attended A.J. Moore High School, worked on his family’s farm before he enlisted in the Navy when he was twenty years old. He received his training in Norfolk, Virginia and was assigned to the battleship West Virginia where he eventually became chief cook.

My father, Edward Johnson, was a personal friend to Mr. Miller and took me door to door as he solicited funds to purchase a silver bracelet for the war hero who was awarded the Navy Cross. I can still recall the proud look on my father’s face as the bracelet was presented to Mr. Miller at a celebration in Waco.

I also remember the sadness that engulfed the large Miller family, and the entire community when we learned that Waco’s “hero” had perished when the ship that he was sailing on was attacked by a Japanese submarine.

The proposed monument to Mr. Miller on the banks of the Brazos River is crucial not only to a community but to a country. I agree with Baylor Senior Lecturer David A. Smith who recently wrote an editorial stating that the monument must capture the spirit and humanity of Mr. Miller.

Today, children in Waco are collecting funds in containers that display a caricature of Mr. Miller. Local foundations and community groups have gotten involved to raise the necessary funding for the project.

While a member of Congress I have attempted to have our nation award Mr. Miller the Congressional Medal of Honor for his war heroics. I believe that he is more than deserving, and that the future of our nation may well have been altered had it not been for his decision to place his cooking duties to the side, and operate an anti-artillery weapon that significantly limited the attack, while giving many of his fellow sailors, some seriously wounded, the opportunity to take shelter.

Too often those who have served our nation with distinction, and without any thought of self, have been forgotten. We must not allow that to be Mr. Miller’s fate. The proposed monument is crucial to that objective." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Source: Dallas Weekly

Congresswoman Johnson Recognized As A Voice For Nursing In Congress

40 years of advocacy: Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson a voice for nursing in Congress

Since she was elected to public office more than 40 years ago, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) has championed nursing and advocated for better access to healthcare for her constituents.

"Whatever discussion I am a part of, I never miss the opportunity to talk about the value of professional nurses, the value of investment in the profession and the value of attempting to look at the full potential of nurses’ abilities," Johnson said.

Johnson, who has sponsored National Nurses Week legislation and supported federal funding for nursing education, which she called essential to addressing the nursing shortage, recently reintroduced the National Nurse Act of 2013 (HB 485). The act would establish the position of a National Nurse for Public Health and lift the profile of the profession to the level of Surgeon General, she said. Similar bills have not passed in other years, but she remains hopeful.

"Nurses have to push for the respect they deserve," Johnson said. "In this environment, it’s difficult to do most anything, but if you give up and don’t try, you lose ground. You have to keep pushing forward."

A graduate of St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind., Johnson received a BSN in 1967 from Texas Christian University, in Fort Worth, Texas, and a master’s degree in public administration in 1976 from Southern Methodist University, in Dallas.

Johnson specialized in psychiatric nursing, which she said has helped her with interpersonal relationships. Nursing also gave her the experience of working with different people, building organizational and communication skills and being cognizant of making decisions that you can stand behind, she said.

Johnson served as chief psychiatric nurse at the Dallas VA Hospital until she was elected to Congress in 1972, when she became the first nurse elected to that office. She attributes her early success in politics, in part, to the trust people generally have in nurses.

"One of the things I could offer people to relate to was a positive image," she said. "I’m upfront and straightforward with people, not to say something they are going to like but to be truthful."

Johnson said she bases her decisions on the best information available at the time, but acknowledges that "politics is not a perfect science."

During her tenure, she has advocated for women, children and families, and President Jimmy Carter appointed her to serve as regional director of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1977. She later became a business consultant and was elected to Congress in 1992, after serving in the Texas Senate since 1986.

Johnson served on a healthcare task force and, along with fellow nurses, helped colleagues understand the Affordable Care Act, the effect insurance companies have on healthcare costs, and the expense and lack of follow-up associated with treating primary care patients in EDs.

"There are aspects [of the ACA] I would like to see improved, but it was the best we could do at the time and a step in the right direction," said Johnson, who supported the bill and expects it will offer opportunities for nurses. "If we fully utilize the skills of nurses, we’d have much better care outcomes." 

Johnson indicated she agrees with the Institute of Medicine’s "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health" recommendation that nurses practice to the full extent of their knowledge and experience. She views the opportunities open to all registered nurses, not just advanced practice nurses, since the need for home healthcare, telehealthcare and care coordination will grow in the days ahead. 

"This is nurses’ day, the day nurses can shine the greatest," Johnson said. "We have more people in need of healthcare and fewer physicians."

Source: Nurse.com 

Congresswoman Johnson Discusses Women's Health & Breast Cancer

"While a clinical student and professional nurse, I witnessed the suffering that breast cancer causes in the lives of so many people, particularly women. Each year, according to the World Health Organization, nearly 500,000 women lose their lives to the condition.

According to health professionals, some risk factors associated with breast cancer include smoking, poor diets, obesity, elevated hormone levels and, in some cases, genetics. A lump in the breast tissue that is noticeably different can be a symptom of breast cancer and should be examined by a doctor. Women should perform regular breast self-examinations.

While breast cancer in women is more than one hundred times more common than in men, the survival rate for women is greater because men tend to suspect the disease at much later ages than women, usually between sixty and seventy. Some unsuspectingly ill men think that it is "only a woman’s disease.” And they are quite surprised when given a breast cancer diagnosis.

When it comes to matters of health, women have always been courageous, always thinking of others and not just themselves. In 1974 the nation’s First Lady, Betty Ford, revealed that she had breast cancer and urged other women to have breast exams.

Recently, the actress, Angelina Jolie, announced that she had surgery to lessen the possibility of dying from the disease. She urged other women to pay attention to their health status.

In Dallas numerous medical professionals and institutions are dedicated to battling the disease. The Baylor T. Boone Pickens Cancer Hospital was the first devoted solely to cancer treatment in North Texas. Two years ago, Baylor opened the Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center. The 467,000 square foot facility is the second largest cancer treatment program in Texas.

U.T. Southwestern opened the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1989.

The institution has a number of cancer treatment programs, including one devoted to breast cancer. Professionals at the institution strive to meet the "individual needs” of patients, working with them and their families.

At Texas Oncology, a part of the Methodist Health System, the educational, financial, emotional and health needs of patients are addressed.

The nutritional needs of patients dealing with breast cancer are given significant attention.

The Cancer institute of Dallas focuses on state of the art medical treatment and environmental concerns.

The patient facilities were designed to lessen the emotional concerns of cancer patients who are surrounded by massive windows, trees and fields which are a part of their therapy.

Continued research and medical discoveries will lead to decreasing numbers of breast cancer deaths.

Until then we need to make certain that women and men are vigilant in protecting their health.

While physicians and institutions perform a pivotal role in fighting the disease, there is much more that we as individuals can do to ensure longer and more productive lives." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson 

Source: Focus Daily News

Congresswoman Johnson Hosts Panel Discussion On Israeli / Palestinian Peace Process

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosted a panel discussion entitled, “Moving Forward: Addressing the Challenges in Israeli/Palestinian Peace”.  The purpose of the discussion was to understand the challenges those on both sides of the conflict face, as well as to advocate for peace and the peaceful negotiation of conflict.

“After seeing the remnants of war, I know that war is not the answer,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Women must be included in peace negotiations, and while progress is difficult, we all must continue to do our part in the process.”

The panel discussion included :  Salwa Duaibis, Women’s Centre for Legal Aid Counseling; Lior Finkel, The Peace NGO Forum; Tania Hary, Gisha; and Betty Herschman, Ir Amim.