Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

December 31, 2023

Eddie Bernice Johnson was a dedicated nurse, State legislator, and longtime U.S. Congresswoman with immense courage and a commitment to the promise of America. She had unwavering dedication to the people of North Texas.

She and I worked together throughout her 30 years in Congress, and I've always been grateful for her friendship and partnership.

Eddie Bernice turned a childhood dream to work in medicine into a lifetime of service, fighting to get millions of Americans access to health care, education, and opportunity.

Early on, as the chief psychiatric nurse at the Veterans Administration in Dallas, she helped our Nation to fulfill its most sacred obligation, to care for the troops we sent into harm's way when they're home. And in the Texas statehouse and then over 30 years as the first Black American elected to Congress from Dallas, she fought to expand civil rights, to create jobs, to combat the climate crisis, and much more. Recently, her leadership was crucial in passing our bipartisan infrastructure law and CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and making sure America leads the industries of the future.

Throughout her life, and as the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, she was an icon and mentor to generations of public servants, through whom her legacy of resilience and purpose will endure.

Jill and I send our love to her family, including her son Kirk and her grandchildren Kirk Jr., David, and James; to her many friends; and to the people of Texas' 30th Congressional District, who were so fortunate to have her as their champion for so long.

Categories: Statements by the President : Former Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, death.

Names: Biden, Jill T.; Johnson, David; Johnson, Eddie Bernice; Johnson, James; Johnson, Kirk; Johnson, Kirk, Jr.

Subjects: Climate change; Deaths, former Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson; Infrastructure improvements; Job creation and growth; Racial equality, improvement efforts; Semiconductor manufacturing; Texas, death of former U.S. Representative.

DCPD Number: DCPD202301162.

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