[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 195 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          MOURNING THE DEATH OF CONGRESSWOMAN JULIA MAY CARSON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2007

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I wish to mourn the passing of 
Congresswoman Julia May Carson, a committed and valued voice for 
justice, who passed away on December 15, 2007. Congresswoman Carson was 
born on July 8, 1938 in Louisville, Kentucky. She grew up in 
Indianapolis, Indiana where she would lead a remarkable life committed 
to justice for all. Congresswoman Carson was loved by many for her 
effervescent personality and fighting spirit. She served her 
constituents of the 7th Congressional District of Indiana for 6 terms 
in the United States House of Representatives. She was the first 
African-American and woman elected to serve Indianapolis in Congress.
  In her youth, Ms. Carson overcame obstacles created by race, gender 
and poverty as the child of a single teenage mother. She attended and 
graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1955, a deeply segregated 
school in Indianapolis. However, her battles with injustice motivated 
her to pursue degrees in higher education at Martin University and 
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Her career in public 
service began in 1965, when she was hired as a staff assistant and aide 
to Congressman Andrew Jacobs, Jr., her mentor and predecessor in the 
7th District of Indiana. She worked diligently on casework and other 
important legislative matters until 1972, when she ran and won a seat 
in the Indiana State House of Representatives. She served in the 
Indiana State House from 1972-1976 and in the Indiana State Senate from 
1976-1990. In 1990, she was elected as a trustee for Center Township in 
downtown Indianapolis. As trustee, she was a just leader and a voice 
for reform. Her thoroughness and fiscal responsibility helped her 
manage the welfare rolls by providing assistance to those that needed 
it and removing those that did not. As a result, she transformed the 
office's $20 million debt into a $6 million surplus. She served as 
trustee for 6 years prior to her election to Congress.
  In 1996, after a competitive campaign, Congresswoman Carson replaced 
her mentor and predecessor Andrew Jacobs, Jr., as the representative 
for Indiana's 7th District. On January 3, 1997, she missed her 
congressional inauguration due to health problems. Her congressional 
tenure was replete with obstacles from failing health to closely 
competitive campaigns, but her tenacity and love for her district would 
not let anything impede her sincere dedication to her constituents. She 
never stopped caring for her district and she never lost a race. One of 
her most notable achievements in the House was passing a measure 
awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Rosa Parks. Another milestone 
accomplishment was a bill she cosponsored with Senator Richard Lugar to 
remove blocks on child health insurance created by government agencies. 
She always sponsored legislation that helped the poor and homeless, 
veterans, and faithful American taxpayers. She served on the House 
Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure. Her 10 years in the House were a testament of 
perseverance, devotion and inexhaustible compassion.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to commend the life and mourn the 
passing of Congresswoman Julia Carson.

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