Congresswoman Johnson Honors Congressman James Oberstar

It was a great honor to sit on the House Transportation Committee when Jim Oberstar was its chairman.

Chairman Oberstar, who passed away Saturday, served on the committee from the beginning of his congressional career in 1974 until he left Congress in 2011.

He was a personal mentor and a devoted friend to me. Even more important, he played a critical role in nearly every piece of transportation legislation enacted into law during his tenure. Transportation programs, railways, highway, water infrastructure, the Coast Guard and maritime projects all have the imprint of Chairman Oberstar on them.

Of particular significance to North Texas was a victory he helped orchestrate in 2007. President George W. Bush had vetoed a water resources bill that contained funds for repairing infrastructure in Dallas necessary to prevent serious damage if the Trinity River flooded. It was Chairman Oberstar, despite being absent from the chamber because of surgery, whose passion fueled our efforts to lead a bipartisan movement that culminated in Bush’s veto being overridden.

Chairman Oberstar was a thoughtful policymaker — one who spoke six foreign languages fluently — and his impact on transportation and infrastructure issues reached beyond the shores of our country.

While chairman, he appointed me to chair the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. With that appointment, I became the first woman and the first African-American to head the subcommittee. I learned much of what I know about the difficult and arduous issues that the committee concerns itself with while serving under the leadership of this man, who was one of the most thoughtful and fair-minded committee leaders in congressional history.

Minnesota sent Chairman Oberstar to Washington for 18 terms, and his long tenure afforded him exceptional power and influence. An unwavering Democrat, he was nonetheless able to work with members on both sides of the aisle. His personal friends included Democrats and Republicans alike.

He credited his way of doing business and his ability to work with others of divergent views to his mother, a former factory worker, and his father, a mine union organizer who devoted much of his time to fighting for worker safety and increased wages.

Chairman Oberstar never lost the common touch. He believed that at the core of the American economy were the people who needed to travel safely each day from their homes to their places of employment and back. Those people needed safe roads, tunnels, highways, bridges and modes of transportation that they could rely upon.

He worked very hard to ensure that safety. And for that, all Americans, whether they knew him or had never uttered his name, owe Chairman Oberstar a tremendous debt of gratitude. He served all of us, and he served us with distinction and grace. May God rest his soul.

SOURCE: Dallas Morning News

Congresswoman Johnson Embraces National Climate Assessment

A White House report issued Tuesday that calls for urgent steps to address climate change fell flat with congressional Republicans.

House Science Chairman Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, called it “a political document intended to frighten Americans into believing that any abnormal weather we experience is the direct result of human CO2 emissions.  In reality, there is little science to support any connection between climate change and more frequent or extreme storms.”

But the senior Democrat on the panel, Dallas Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, embraced the White House analysis.

“The scientific debate over climate change is over and the impacts are growing more evident in the lives of every American,” she said. “As a Texan, I have seen the impacts myself with severe drought and record temperatures.  These conditions impact our agriculture economy, human health, water supplies, and the livelihoods of many citizens. In addition, these changing conditions are destroying ecosystems both on land and in the ocean.”

Rolling out the report, John Podesta, a top adviser to President Barack Obama, said that climate denial in Congress poses an obstacle to much-needed action that would save lives and property, and mitigate damage from increasingly extreme droughts and other weather events.

“You see a very real challenge. I think the entire lineup of the House Science Committee on the Republican side voted relatively recently to deny the fact that climate change was even happening,” Podesta said. “So hopefully this report — they might review it and it will change their minds. But we’ve got a challenging context on Capitol Hill.”

The third National Climate Assessment was widely expected to generate pushback from the right.

At the White House, press secretary Jay Carney unequivocally denied that the report is intended to scare anyone.

“No,” Carney said. “The purpose of the third national climate assessment is to provide information in a form that is understandable and comprehensive for Americans across the country to use and review, so that they can better understand the effects of the changing climate on their regions.”

“It’s happening now. That is the bottom line … of this assessment,” he said.

Smith, chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, warned that the climate report is meant to lay the groundwork for “costly and unnecessary regulations and subsidies.”

The report points to the 2011 drought in Texas and Oklahoma – more than 100 days over 100°F – as evidence of the unusual and damaging weather extremes that a changing climate has already entailed.

“Rates of water loss were double the long-term average, depleting water resources and contributing to more than $10 billion in direct losses to agriculture alone,” the report says.

Water will become scarcer. And the report warns of increasingly damaging storms in coming years: “The expected rise in sea level will result in the potential for greater damage from storm surge along the Gulf Coast of Texas.”

“Observed climate-induced changes have been linked to changing timing of flowering, increases in wildfire activity and pest outbreaks, shifts in species distributions, declines in the abundance of native species, and the spread of invasive species,” the report says. Warming could lead to an increased population of the black ratsnake, for instance.

Smith rejected the findings, asserting that they’re based in part on selective use of facts.

“The White House today released a report claiming that changes in regional U.S. weather can be attributed to manmade climate change. The climate is changing due to a number of factors, including human contributions and natural cycles. But the administration’s report includes unscientific characterizations on the connection between severe weather events and climate change and fails to explain the absence of warming over the last 15 years,” he said.SOURCE: Dallas Morning News

Congresswoman Johnson Hosts 14 Annual 'A World Of Women For World Peace' Conference

On Saturday, May 3, 2014, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson hosted the 14^th annual ‘A World of Women for World Peace’ conference in Dallas, Texas.  There were 200 local citizens, peace activists, and community leaders in attendance.

Every year, hundreds of international peace activists, politicians, and local citizens gather in Dallas to share solutions on how to increase the role of women in bringing peace to areas of conflict and political unrest across the globe. Congresswoman Johnson began ‘A World of Women for World Peace’ to bring greater visibility to victims of war and conflict and to recognize women who are promoting non-violent conflict resolution within their communities.

“I knew that there was something I had to do to prevent the loss of human life,” Congresswoman Johnson said explaining why she began the peace conference. “I turned to women who are natural peacemakers. I know that women have a unique ability to connect to both sides of any conflicts, because they are the mothers; they are the wives, and they are the daughters of the soldiers who are losing their lives in battle. Women can have a powerful influence on the peacemaking process when they are brought to the table.”

This year’s conference featured an esteemed international panel of peace activists. Presenters included Abigail Disney, international peace activist and executive producer of the internationally acclaimed miniseries , Women, War, & Peace, who is also the granddaughter of Walt Disney Company’s founder, Roy Disney.

Additional presenters included: Dr. Dilshad Dayani of World Women Global Council; Rais Bhuiyan of World Without Hate; Saudi Arabian princess and international women’s rights activist, Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel; Judy Chen Hsieh, a television executive and peace activist in Asia, as well as Dilshad Dayani, the founder of the World Women Global Council, a peace advocacy group. WFAA TV 8 anchor, Shon Gables served as moderator.  

“My faith dictated to me that I should attempt to save the life of the man who tried to kill me,” said Rais Bhuiyan, a native of Bangladesh, who was left for dead after being shot by a white supremacist after September 11, 2001 attacks.

Bhuiyan, who pleaded with officials for clemency for the man who left him sightless in one eye, was one of four “global peacemakers” who spoke to the conference attendees.

“Women perform quiet and patient work to resolve wars and conflicts around the world… {and} have a special concern for seeing a peaceful world. One of the things that we have never tried is listening to women in our efforts to prevent war and conflict,” said Abigail Disney.

Congresswoman Johnson And Committee On Science Space & Technology Hold Hearing On Future NASA Mars Mission

For the past several years, there has been a widespread feeling in the space community, difficult to articulate but nonetheless quite real, that America's space program is adrift. Following the cancellation of U.S. plans to return to the moon and the retirement of the space shuttle, and with no obviously meaningful goal ahead, there is a clear sense that our space program lacks purpose and direction.

Lately, however, there has been a renewed "buzz" in the space community around the question of whether the United States should carry out the first human flyby mission to Mars in 2021. A particularly favorable planetary alignment makes such a mission possible at that time, and then not again until the 2030s. This early opportunity to gain experience toward the goal of human exploration of Mars and the value of such a mission as an inspirational kick-start to what is widely seen as a rather moribund national civil space policy have been attractive to many. Contrariwise, the difficulty of readying the hardware required by 2021 and the many unknowns that will inevitably be faced by the crew that must fly the mission are equally daunting to many others. Nonetheless, the goal is so challengingly tempting that in February it was the subject of a special hearing convened by House Science Committee Chairman and champion U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, "Mars Flyby 2021: The First Deep Space Mission for the Orion and Space Launch System?"

Much was said at that hearing, but a particularly insightful comment was offered by U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, in her opening remarks. She offers her own answer to the question posed in the hearing topic: "no," because with our present development plans, this would not only be the first deep-space mission for Orion and SLS, but the first mission. More important, she then goes on to pose several questions of her own, questions that make plain what must be remedied about our nation's civil space policy: "However, I think this hearing does provide a good opportunity to again stress that we need a clear, thoughtful road map for our nation's human-exploration program. Successive NASA Authorization Acts have made clear that Congress believes that Mars is an appropriate goal for our nation's human spaceflight activities. It's time for NASA to tell us how they intend to achieve that goal. What technologies will be needed, what sequence of intermediate destinations should be pursued and why, and what are the risks that will need to be addressed?"

Exactly so. But rather than being an impediment to the mission, these are precisely the questions for which Mars Flyby 2021 can focus our nation and our space agency on that which is needed to provide the answers. And yes, we need to answer these questions and many more, but doing so starts with the decision to take the first steps. But unlike the situation in the time of Apollo, what faces us for Flyby 2021 are not questions of fundamental feasibility but rather are matters of routine engineering development, well within our capability to pursue.

A commitment to the first human mission to Mars would provide just the impetus we need as a nation to address the political and technical issues that are the present day roadblocks on our path to Mars and, later, beyond. The goal is near enough to require action rather than talk, yet far enough to be attained without undue pressure on the budget. It offers a clear and sorely needed pass-fail test of American resolve - this particular goalpost cannot move, and is not subject to political reinterpretation. The questions we have to answer to give ourselves the best chance for mission success are precisely the questions that must be answered before humans will ever walk the surface of Mars. For these reasons and more, the congresswoman's questions should be seen not as reasons to stay, but as reasons to go.

In its largest sense, the overarching purpose of U.S. civil space policy must be to make America the world's pre-eminent space-faring nation. No lesser goal is worth the effort, risk and expense of the enterprise, and no greater goal is needed. We cannot and must not try to "go it alone"; great nations must embrace alliances and partnerships. But our nation should settle for nothing less than partnering from the front as humankind undertakes to explore and develop what President John F. Kennedy first called "this new ocean."

It is absolutely true that we need "a clear, thoughtful road map for our nation's human exploration program." No single mission or destination can provide that road map or can fully embody our space policy or the strategy by which it is carried out. But such a mission can be on that road; it can exemplify that strategy and policy, it can be a goal that "will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills," as Kennedy said of the lunar goal in 1962.

Mars Flyby 2021 could fill exactly this role on our way to the space frontier. And realistically, we will spend just about as much money at NASA if we are bold as we will if we remain timid. So, let's use that money to be bold - again.

SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

Congresswoman Johnson Mourns The Passing Of Former Congressman James Oberstar

Today former U.S. Congressman Jim Oberstar, former representative of northeastern Minnesota for 36 years, passed away in his sleep. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who served with Congressman Oberstar for 18 years in the House of Representatives, issued the following statement on his passing:

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the unexpected passing of my dear friend Congressman Jim Oberstar,” Congresswoman Johnson said. “Jim was a giant on Capitol Hill. He was a committed and caring champion for Minnesota and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was an excellent bipartisan leader that was deeply respected in the halls of Congress. I learned a lot serving with him on the Transportation and Infrastructure committee. He helped me bring so many transportation jobs and economic opportunities to Texas through his committed leadership as chairman of the committee.”

“My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jean and all his children and grandchildren. My thoughts also go out to the people of his district and the state. Today Minnesota lost one of its greatest leaders.”

Congresswoman Johnson Hosts 22nd Annual Military Academy Day

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson held her 22nd Annual Military Academy Day on Saturday, April 26th at Duncanville Senior High School in Duncanville, Texas.

“Being a part of our country’s military is high calling. It will prepare you for a great future,” Congresswoman Johnson said while addressing nearly 150 high school students aspiring to join one of the country’s five service academics. “The future of America’s standing in the world will be decided by the men and women who attend institutions where they receive an exceptional education and military training.”

Students in attendance met graduates of the military academies and representatives of the Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Naval Academy, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Joined by their parents, the students learned that an education at the academies was paid for by the federal government. Graduating students are commissioned officers in the armed series and must serve as officers.

Congresswoman Johnson Attends U.S. News & World Reports STEM Solutions Conference

U.S. News & World Report honored STEM leaders Friday during its annual STEM Solutions conference luncheon for their outstanding leadership in the the field, inducting four new members into it's STEM Leadership Hall of Fame.

U.S. News honored Anousheh Ansari, the Chair and CEO of Prodea Systems; Norm Augustine, the retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin; Shirley Ann Jackson, the president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and William Swanson, the chairman of Raytheon Company.

“They have a deep and unwavering commitment to advancing STEM education and career engagement, lifetimes in essence, dedicated to developing a blueprint for the future in STEM,” said Ray Almgren, the vice president of marketing at National Instruments, who announced the award winners.

While the honorees experiences and accomplishments varied greatly across the science and technology fields, all of those honored for their achievements Friday shared a common goal of expanding STEM access to students early on in their educational careers in order to ensure the U.S. can be armed with the workforce it needs to maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

Following the award ceremony, the honorees joined U.S. News Editor and Chief Content Officer Brian Kelly on stage to discuss the ways educators, volunteers and business leaders could better steer students in the direction of STEM careers.

“The fact that we really do live in a data-driven, web-enabled, super-computer-powered and hyperconnected world creates enormous opportunities,” Jackson said. “If we can have a conversation that engenders a national conversation about this, about how we invite and excite and prepare our young people and how we open the aperture wider for talent from around the world, then I think we can begin to make progress.”

The award winners said that STEM education could be strengthened by raising the federal education standards, better educating teachers and ensuring students have access to up-to-date technologies. Yet, in order to ensure students develop an interest in the field, professional engineers, scientists and mathematicians must also play a role in developing the next generation of leaders.

“I challenge those in industry to get off the sidelines and engage and put some of your efforts to move this needle,” Swanson said.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, who has worked extensively to expand STEM access to minorities, also attended the luncheon. Johnson said so often students are just missing early opportunities to be influenced by science because the resources are just not there. Johnson has devoted much of her time to helping open doors to technology for young people. Johnson founded the Congressional Black Caucus Science and Technology Brain Trust more than 20 years ago and says she is spending more and more of her time reaching out to encourage students to pursue STEM careers.

“It is so essential that we maintain leadership, innovation and research in this country. To do that, we must have the talent and right now we are not making progress. We are doing an inch when we should be doing a mile,” Johnson says. “With this kind of leadership on the public stage, we [can] bring the public along.”

The lunch also included dozens of students who attend science and math schools in the Washington, D.C., area.

“It is a whole new experience for our kids to actually come out and see there is actually more out there,” says Hakim Johnson, a math and science teacher at Howard Middle School.

“There are so many people who have so many accolades. It is important for them to be able to see that. You could never get all these great minds to come to the school.”

Congresswoman Johnson Joins Secretary Foxx In Calling For Action On I-635 LBJ Freeway East Project

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson joined U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx at the site of the proposed I-635 LBJ Freeway East on the last stop of the Invest in America, Commit to the Future bus tour.

This week, Secretary Foxx has been traveling across the country highlighting transportation projects that have the potential to bring thousands of jobs by improving America’s transportation infrastructure.

He visited Texas to highlight the proposed 11-mile I-635 LBJ Freeway East project that has stalled due to a lack of funding. “The Administration wants to work with Members, such as Congresswoman Johnson, to meet the transportation and infrastructure needs of Texas and other states throughout our country,” Secretary Foxx said. “The impact of this highway project will lead to jobs for our citizens.”

“It is fitting that the Secretary has chosen Dallas as the capstone of his nationwide trip this week promoting our nation’s infrastructure,” Congresswoman Johnson said. “The Dallas area is a major gateway to this country due to its central location. Location is not the only reason our area has become such a critical crossroads for the Texas. Dallas leaders have demonstrated a firm commitment to invest in our infrastructure networks, ensuring that goods and people can travel in and around our city safely.”

Source: North Dallas Gazette

Congresswoman Johnson Introduces Resolution Recognizing National Nurses Week

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, the first nurse elected to the Congress, has introduced House Resolution 540, recognizing May 6, 2014 – May 12, 2014 as National Nurses Week. This resolution honors the dedicated service and extraordinary contributions of our nation’s devoted and highly trained nursing professionals.

“As the first nurse elected to Congress, I recognize that nurses are the glue that hold the American health care system together,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “I have seen the growth and expansion of the critical role of nurses from my time at the Veterans Hospital to today with more than three million registered nurses caring for the people of the United States. We must recognize their contribution, and continue to support them in our ever-expanding healthcare system.”  

House Resolution 540 encourages citizens of the United States to observe National Nurses Week with appropriate recognition that includes ceremonies, activities, and programs that demonstrate the importance of nurses in the everyday lives of patients. Nurses are the largest single group of health care providers in the United States.

Congresswoman Johnson Honors The Legacy Of President Lyndon Johnson

"President Obama, three former presidents and Congressman John Lewis, the only living speaker from the 1963 March on Washington, are in Austin this week to honor former President Lyndon Baines Johnson, whose policies regarding equal rights and health care radically changed the very fabric of our nation. Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush are among those leading a series of lectures and seminars acknowledging the social achievements that were made during Johnson’s tenure.

Lewis, who nearly lost his life in the early 1960s after being viciously attacked by Alabama state troopers while leading a civil rights march, recently was quoted as saying that Johnson’s programs made it possible for millions of African-Americans to register as voters in the 1960s. He said that if Johnson had not acted to eliminate poll taxes and other unjust practices in many Southern states, there “probably would not have been a Barack Obama as president.” I am in total agreement with my colleague.

Johnson, who grew up in Central Texas, is a true American hero who deserves our admiration for all that he did to make this country a better place for all of its citizens.

The tributes in Austin are part of a Civil Rights Summit at the LBJ Presidential Library. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, which became law when Johnson signed the legislation on July 2, 1964.

The achievements of the Johnson administration were not limited to civil rights. Medicare was one of his major accomplishments. Prior to its enactment, nearly 70 percent of America’s senior citizen population did not have health insurance. All of that changed when Johnson signed Medicare into law on July 30, 1965, bringing mental comfort and security to millions of Americans ages 65 and older.

Prior to that time, those seniors who could afford health care paid for their own coverage, usually with highly inflated age-related premiums.

While many in America in 1968 viewed Johnson only through the lens of the Vietnam War, hundreds of thousands of African-Americans in the Southern United States admired him greatly. After his election as vice president, Johnson contacted some of his allies in the Texas Legislature to assist Barbara Jordan, who had worked as a volunteer in the presidential campaign.

At his urging, Texas legislators created a senatorial district in which Jordan stood a chance of being elected. They followed his orders and she became a state senator, the first African-American elected to such a post since Reconstruction. Later, Jordan became the first southern African-American female elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

When Johnson decided not to run for a second term, he returned to Texas. I was a member of the Texas Legislature, and on the day he visited the Capitol building in Austin, my son, Kirk, and I were present. Johnson died of a heart attack a week later on Jan. 22, 1973.

His funeral was held on the same day that my son celebrated his birthday. During the services, it rained as if the sky itself was crying. My son and I went to the burial site and spent time with Lady Bird Johnson and her daughters after returning from the cemetery.

Dignitaries from throughout the country and the world were present to pay their final respects to Johnson and to console members of his family. In an obituary that appeared in The New York Times, he was described as the “architect of the Great Society program, who left a legacy of progress” for the American people.

It is more than appropriate that Johnson’s life and accomplishments are celebrated in Austin, as they will be during the course of this year in Washington, D.C., and in other parts of our country. I am deeply devoted to his vision of a “Great Society.” In his spirit, it should exist forever." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Source: Waco Tribune

Congresswoman Johnson Receives "Defender Of Children" Award

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was honored by the First Focus Campaign for Children with the “Defender of Children” award.  Congresswoman Johnson was presented the award in recognition for her support of policies that advance the well-being of children 

“I am very appreciative of this recognition by First Focus,” Congresswoman Johnson said. “I have spent my entire career making sure we keep children at the forefront. The future of the world is in the hands and minds of our children. I will continue to work to improve the lives and opportunities for all children.”

The First Focus Campaign for Children honors legislators who support by our nation's children. First Focus recognizes Members of Congress with the “Champions of Children” and “Defender of Children” awards for their efforts to ensure children and families a national priority in federal policy and budget decisions.

In selecting the list of Champions and Defenders, the First Focus Campaign for Children took note of leaders who introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation that met the needs of children. Additionally, the organization considered Members who demonstrated extraordinary initiative by spearheading activities such as sponsoring hearings or garnering the support of their colleagues to improve the health and well-being of children.

Congresswoman Johnson Celebrates Women's History Month

"March was celebrated as Women’s History Month. While women have made great strides in this country, there is still much that needs to be done to bring them on par with men in America, particularly in the area of equal pay for equal work.

It is neither fair nor prudent that we live in a society in which women earn approximately 80 percent of what men who are doing the exact same work are paid. In 2010, the last year for which data was compiled, the median income for a woman in America was $36,931 compared to $47,715 for their male counterparts.

This is simply unacceptable and must be changed.

The practice sends an appalling message to young women who are seeking professional careers. Are we saying to them that they are not as good as their male colleagues? As a society, are we suggesting to them that we place greater value on the work of men than we do on their work? This type of thinking is a relic of the past, and it must remain there.

When I was elected to Congress in 1992, I was the only female in the Texas Congressional delegation. In Washington, I became one of 48 women who were members of the House of Representatives. In the Senate, there were seven women.

Today, our numbers have increased, and women chair many of the committees in the House and Senate where much of the work in the Congress is accomplished. There are presently 20 female Senators and 82 women in the House.

Having women in positions of leadership has made a significant difference in the way that the Congress functions. For the most part, women are less aggressive, and approach issues and policy questions with less acerbity than their male counterparts.

Women have made significant strides in business. Some of our largest corporations such as General Motors and Facebook have women in very senior positions. Yet, our corporate boardrooms remain bastions of male dominance.

In his statement proclaiming Women’s History Month, President Obama stated that our nation’s history has been enhanced by the achievements of women. He wrote that women have, “led movements for social and economic justice, enriched our culture and charted bold directions in our foreign policy.”

Iconic women such as Dorothy Height, who led the National Council of Negro Women, Adelfa Callejo, who fought for minority rights in Dallas, Lindy Boggs, who served our country as a distinguished member of the U.S. House of Representatives and as an ambassador, and so many others, have left a legacy of greatness that must be followed and honored.

Our remembrances of these women and others of monumental acclaim that are no longer with us must strengthen our resolve for even greater achievement. Future generations of women must be able to build upon the foundations that will be left for them.

The work for change must continue as long as women are victims of domestic abuse, physical assault in the military and depressed wages. Yes, we must celebrate women, but we must remain cognizant that the struggle for gender equality must not cease." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Hosts Climate Change Panel In Dallas

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson,  Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a panel discussion on climate change at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.  The event, titled “A Panel Discussion on Climate Change: How Climate Change Affects Texas and How Texas Can Adapt and Prosper”, included experts from industry, academia, and government.

The panel included Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Associate Professor at Texas Tech University and Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech; Dr. Michael Webber, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, U.T. Austin and Co-Director of the Clean Energy Incubator; Mr. Gabriel Alonso, CEO EDP Renewables and Chairman of the Board of the American Wind Energy Association; Dr. Robert Haley, Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of Epidemiology Division at UT Southwestern Medical Center; and Ms. Jill A. Jordan, City of Dallas Assistant City Manager.

In her opening remarks Ranking Member Johnson said, “While climate change is an issue that must be addressed by the Federal government, first and foremost, I am a Texan, and climate change’s impacts and effects will be felt locally.  From increased drought in the Panhandle to concerns over extreme flooding along our coasts and rivers, to the increased risk of wild fires across the state, climate change is an issue that we cannot ignore. Not only will climate change affect the Texas economy, it will impact Texans on a personal level. I’ve seen first-hand, Texan families faced with the task of putting their lives back together after a disaster, and that’s something we can ill afford to have happen more often than it already does.”

The event took place on the same day the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report detailing the need for immediate action to address the global impacts of climate change.  The report, titled “Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability”, says the adverse effects of climate change can be seen today and require governments to address current vulnerabilities and adapt to these climate related risks. 

Ms. Johnson concluded her remarks by saying, “I hope that today’s discussion will lead to affirmative steps and concrete actions that we can take to mitigate the damage already done and to adapt to the changes that will occur.  Ultimately, we’re all in this together, and by working together we can achieve our shared goals of a robust economy, a healthier public, and a cleaner environment.” 

Congresswoman Johnson Marks Cesar Chavez Day

“Cesar Chavez was one of America’s greatest champions for civil rights and social justice. His leadership gave rise to a movement that improved the working conditions of all agricultural workers. Chavez used non-violent protest to forge a path to progress. His movement created a lasting legacy not just for Hispanic Americans, but for all Americans.”

“There are many lessons from that we can learn from Cesar Chavez today. His movement continues to inspire us to push for an increase of the minimum wage, push for a renewal of unemployment insurance, and ensure that all Americans have access to affordable healthcare.“ - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson Receives SETWG George E. Brown Leadership Award

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was awarded the SETWG George E. Brown, Jr., Leadership Award at a reception for Members of Congress, their staffs, and SETWG volunteers Tuesday evening in the Rayburn House Office Building. The award recognizes leadership in, advocacy for, and specific actions taken to advance science, engineering, and technology policy.

The reception included an exhibition featuring 15 companies and societies with technology demonstrations and information.

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Stands with House Democrats to Demand a Vote on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson joined dozens of her colleagues in the House of Representatives to sign a “Demand a Vote” petition. The petition would force a vote on H.R. 15, the bipartisan Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. This legislation will help secure our border, protect our workers, unite our families, provide an earned pathway to citizenship, and create jobs.

“We must bring the issue of immigration reform before the House of Representatives for a vote,” said Congresswoman Johnson.  “It is time for Speaker Boehner to stop blocking this sensible bipartisan reform, and allow a vote to create jobs, empower our small businesses, fuel innovation, reduce the deficit and energize the economy.  Now is the time for us to fix our broken immigration system, and build a system that respects our history and our values as a nation.”

It has been nearly nine months since the Senate passed its own comprehensive immigration reform legislation by an overwhelming bipartisan margin of 68-32.  Comprehensive immigration reform has enjoyed widespread support from law enforcement, faith leaders, the business community and the American people. 

A report from the Congressional Budget Office released on Tuesday found that the House legislation, H.R. 15 would reduce the deficit by $900 billion over the next two decades – including $200 billion in the first decade alone.  The bill has 200 co-sponsors, including 3 Republicans.  Yet Republican leadership continues to prevent the House from holding a vote on this necessary and popular legislation.

Congresswoman Johnson To Host Committee On Science Space & Technology Panel Discussion On Climate Change

On Monday March 31, 2014, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, will host a panel discussion on climate change and Texas.

Ms. Johnson said of the upcoming event, “Climate change is an issue that will impact everyone on this planet.  I want Texas to be in the best position possible to deal with it.  It is critical our future and to the future of our children and grandchildren that we do not just wait to watch it happen and hope for the best. This event will bring together experts in our area to discuss how climate change affects Texas and how Texas can adapt and prosper.” 

Congresswoman Johnson Hosts 11th Annual Eddie Bernice Johnson Math & Science Lecture Series

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson held the 11^th annual “Eddie Bernice Johnson Math and Science Lecture Series” at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center in Dallas, Texas.  This lecture series was started by the University of Texas at Dallas in an effort to expose Dallas-area high school students to career opportunities, and accomplished professionals in the disciplines of math and science.

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson gave an impassioned address to the more than 300 students in attendance, encouraging them to excel in the study of science and technology because the future of America would be determined by what they decided to do in their academic and professional lives.

“I am here to ask each of you for your commitment to science and math because it is these disciplines that will ensure that our nation will stay globally competitive with our international counterparts,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “The most important aspect in being globally competitive is the development of young scientists. You have the opportunity to be our next generation of global leaders.”

After completing her remarks, Congresswoman Johnson, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Roosevelt Johnson. Dr. Johnson is the acting associate director for education at NASA. He addressed the students, telling them that they should consider themselves the future explorers of the universe.

“Science is a field that many of you should consider pursuing,” said Dr. Johnson a graduate of Howard University who has spent a large part of his professional life recruiting minority students to study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. “It (science) was not something that had interested me, but it has made a real difference in my life. Many of you in this auditorium are the future scientists that our country needs.”

Ms. Tiffany Huitt, the principal of the science and engineering component at Town View, thanked Congresswoman Johnson for holding the lecture series at the school, and for bringing “illuminating speakers” for students each year. “The lecture series has made a real difference in the lives of our students,” Ms. Huitt said.

Congresswoman Johnson Urges President Obama To Sign ENDA Executive Order

Members of Congress including Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas are calling on President Barack Obama to sign an employment nondiscrimination executive order as part of his “Year of Action.”
In his State of the Union address, Obama pledged to enact his policy goals without Congress by issuing executive orders.

Johnson’s office sent Dallas Voice a copy of a letter written by the LGBT caucus circulating on Capitol Hill asking the president to forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. An executive order would ban contractors from receiving federal government contracts unless they have a nondiscrimination policy in place.

The current version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act working its way through Congress would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identify among any employer with 15 or more employees. ENDA passed the Senate on Nov. 7 with a bipartisan 64–32 vote. First introduced in 1994, a similar bill passed the House in 2007, but to become law, the 2013 Senate version must pass the House by the end of this session.

The letter asks the president to sign the executive order as ENDA works its way through Congress with strong bipartisan support.

“We urge you to take action now to protect millions of workers across the country from the threat of discrimination simply because of who they are or who they love,” they wrote in the letter.

The letter was signed by more than 150 members of the House and 47 members of the Senate.

“We are committed to doing all that we can in Congress to get ENDA to your desk this year; however, there is no reason you cannot immediately act by taking this important step,” they wrote.

In addition to Johnson, other Texas lawmakers who signed the letter are Joaquin Castro, Lloyd Doggett, Al Green, Ruben Hinojosa, Sheila Jackson Lee, Beto O’Rourke, Marc Veasey and Filemon Vela.

“We’re continuing to get signers,” Brad Jacklin said.

Jacklin is executive director of the House of Representatives’ LGBT Equality Caucus.

He said similar letters have been sent in past years, and the number of signers has increased each year. No Republicans signed, although the House version of ENDA does have Republican co-sponsors.

Obama has been criticized for his use of executive orders, but requiring contractors to protect their employees would be in line with orders that other presidents wrote regarding discrimination.

“In 1941, President Roosevelt prohibited discrimination in defense contracts on the bases of race, creed, color, or national origin,” the letter states. “In subsequent executive orders, Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson expanded these protections to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to discriminate.”

At a press conference on March 14, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the administration’s position is that Congress should pass ENDA.

“I don’t have any updates for you on possible executive orders. What we’re focused on is a legislative remedy that would be more comprehensive and has already seen progress in Congress,” Carney said. “So, I don’t have a view to express on that particular issue.”
Johnson is a co-sponsor of ENDA.

“I strongly support equality for all people and especially in the workplace,” Johnson said. “President Obama has been one of the biggest presidential supporters of equal rights and of the LGBT community. In my own Congressional office, color, creed or sexual orientation are not considered when people are being hired.

The only consideration is job performance, and whether or not an individual is prepared.”

The letter mentions three government contractors —  Boeing, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin — that have nondiscrimination policies in place.

Local activist Louise Young is a retired senior software engineer at Raytheon and was partially responsible for getting her company to adopt those policies.

“It was a great feeling going to work everyday knowing I was treated equally by my company,” Young said.

She said an executive order would benefit the government because it made it easier to focus on her job. The pride she felt in her company translated into better work.

“I commend Congresswoman Johnson and all those who signed on,” Young said. “I’m very proud of her.”

Source: Dallas Voice

Congresswoman Johnson Discusses Benefits Of Affordable Care Act

Four years after the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, seniors and people with disabilities continue to enjoy lower costs and greater benefits because of the law’s historic reforms. In 2013 alone, 296,015 seniors and people with disabilities in Texas saved $271 million, an average of $916 per beneficiary, on their prescription drug purchases. Because of the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of free preventive services, last year an estimated 2,400,000 Texans with Medicare were able to take advantage of at least one preventive service with no cost-sharing.

“The Affordable Care Act is protecting the well-being and the wallets of seniors and the disabled in Texas,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “In 2013 alone, 4.3 million Medicare beneficiaries, including more than 290,000 beneficiaries in Texas, have seen dramatic savings on their prescription drugs. The annual checkups and other free preventive services available because of this historic law have enabled seniors to look after themselves, without having to look out for their pocketbooks as well.”

The Affordable Care Act makes Medicare prescription drug coverage more affordable by gradually closing the gap in coverage. In the past, beneficiaries had to pay the full cost of their prescriptions out of pocket, before catastrophic coverage for prescriptions took effect—the so-called “donut hole.” The law also made certain preventive services available free of charge, eliminating coinsurance and the Part B deductible for recommended preventive services, including many cancer screenings and other essential benefits.

“Four years after the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, millions of Americans can now feel a new sense of security, both health security and a new security in their budgets as well,” added Congresswoman Johnson. “Republicans should stop trying to tear down the Affordable Care Act, wasting valuable time in Congress by voting more than 50 times to repeal the law rather than tackling issues that can help all Americans, like jobs or immigration reform.”

Congresswoman Johnson Introduces America Competes Reauthorization Act 2014

On March 6, 2014, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, introduced the America Competes Reauthorization Act of 2014 (H.R. 4159). 

The bill would establish, revise, and extend specified science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs, as well as education, research, and training programs. The bill would reauthorize the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) "to ensure the United States remains a leader in the development of new technologies and products based on breakthroughs in our understanding of materials at the atomic and molecular level." Under the bill, the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) would develop and maintain a public database of projects funded under at least the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) program component area, or any successor program component area. The database would include a description of each project, its source of funding by agency, and its funding history. The bill states that the National Nanotechnology Program will include research on: (1) the development of instrumentation and tools required for the rapid characterization of nanoscale materials and for monitoring of nanoscale manufacturing processes; and (2) approaches and techniques for scaling the synthesis of new nanoscale materials to achieve industrial-level production rates. On March 6, 2014, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and to the Committee on Education and Workforce. On March 11, 2014, the bill was referred to the Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology.

Source: Nanotechnology Now