DALLAS — In an outpouring of deference befitting of such a trailblazer, reactions to Eddie Bernice Johnson's passing have been immediate and heartfelt.
Johnson, who served North Texas for 30 years as a member of the U.S. Congress, passed away this week at 89 years old. Her family confirmed the news on Sunday.
In the wake of that reveal, politicians and public figures were quick to thank and honor the late congresswoman for her decades of public service.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who Johnson endorsed to be her successor in representing Texas' 30th congressional district covering the City of Dallas as well as other parts of Dallas and Tarrant counties, shared the following statement on her predecessor's passing:
"Today, the world has lost a trailblazer, and Texas has lost one of its most dedicated public servants and iconic leaders. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was a woman of many firsts; the first Black head nurse at the Dallas VA Hospital, one of two first Black women elected to the Texas House, the first nurse to be elected to Congress, and the first woman and African American to chair the Science, Space, & Technology Committee in the U.S. House. But while these accomplishments will be etched into our minds, hearts, and history books, they weren’t the things that Chairwoman Johnson prided herself in.
Chairwoman Johnson was, as I liked to refer to her, a quiet storm. She prided herself in getting things done to better the lives of the people that she served. If you ever had the occasion to chat with her, she’d talk about investments that she brought to the district or historic infrastructure projects that she’d worked on. During her last session in Congress, Chairwoman Johnson ushered the CHIPS & Science Act into law. While most people will only know about the historic number of jobs that are being created throughout the country as a result of this law, many won’t know that Chairwoman Johnson required this bill to also have investments for STEM and research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For decades to come, her work will live on.
While I was honored, I was also bewildered when Chairwoman Johnson called me and asked me to run to represent Texas 30. I was only a freshman in the Texas House, and never in my wildest dreams would I think that she was aware of anything that I was doing in the House. But that is the thing about her: she never slept. She was always working. She kept her finger on the pulse of what was going on in the Texas House, and while I didn’t fully understand what I was getting myself into, I trusted her, her judgment, and her mentorship.
The Chairwoman didn’t take passing the torch on lightly, and likewise, I’ve not taken it lightly that she entrusted me to honor her work and legacy. Everyday that passes is a day that I dedicate to continuing her work and attempting to fill her shoes. The work has never been easy, but it has and always will be noble. As I conclude this statement, fighting back tears, I say rest easy to the Gentle Lady from Texas and just know that I will always fight to preserve the foundation that you laid over your 50 years of service to Texas and the United States."
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson was the first elected official to publicly comment on EBJ's passing, tweeting that she "was a groundbreaking leader for this country and for our state and city."
In a statement sent out to media shortly after that post, Johnson further expanded on that sentiment.
"Today, our nation, our state, and our city have lost a statesman, a trailblazer, and a champion.
And I have lost a dear friend, confidante, and mentor.
I first met Eddie Bernice Johnson when I was in high school. She was new to Congress then, but she wasn’t new to politics and policymaking after serving two decades in the Texas Legislature.
In the years since then, Dallas and our state grew and changed at an incredible pace. But in Washington, we had a constant, steady, determined leader fighting for our communities and representing our interests. Eddie Bernice Johnson authored and co-authored more than 177 bills that became law, and she worked with both Republicans and Democrats to get the job done for Dallas, for our region, and for our state. She was the single most effective legislator Dallas has ever had. Nobody brought more federal infrastructure money home to our city. Nobody fought harder for our communities and our residents’ interests and safety. And nobody knew how to navigate Washington better for the people of Dallas.
I had hoped that, after a distinguished three-decade career in the United States Capitol, we would have more time with her back at home. It was clear that she still had that same fire and passion for public service that initially drove her to become the first nurse to win election both to the Texas Legislature and to Congress.
Personally and professionally, she touched countless lives, including mine. I am devastated and heartbroken by her passing, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones. May she rest in the peace she deserves after a life well lived, and may her legacy long endure in Dallas and in the nation she helped shape."
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins was also quick to comment on EBJ's passing, expressing similar gratitude for her civic contributions.
"[Johnson] was a true legend and a mentor to me," Jenkins posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. "She was a great friend to me and mom. My whole family loved her. She taught me 'everything that goes through your mind doesn’t have to come out of your mouth' and much more. She brought billions in funds to DFW. Godspeed, EBJ."
U.S. Rep. Collin Allred
Congressman Colin Allred, who has represented Texas' 32nd congressional district covering northeastern Dallas County and parts of Collin and Denton counties since 2018, issued the following statement through his press office.
"Eddie Bernice Johnson was a trailblazer, a leader, a friend and my mentor. Unrivaled in her ability to deliver for Dallas and for Texas, she always put Texans first and fought every day for her constituents.
I would not be here today if it weren’t for Congresswoman Johnson and the doors she opened for a new generation of Texans in public service.
Everywhere you look, Texans can see the mark she made on our state — from improving the VA, to investing in transportation, to fighting for Texans’ civil rights, to her work to pass the CHIPS Act and invest in high-tech manufacturing as Chair of the House Science Committee.
Texas lost a giant. My thoughts are with her family during what must be a difficult time. We all mourn this loss for our Texas community."
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey
Congressman Marc Veasy, who has represented Texas's 33rd congressional district covering portions of Dallas and Tarrant counties since 2012, posted a series of updates to X in the wake of Johnson's passing.
Former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Kay Bailey Hutchinson, who represented Texas in the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 2013 and was the first woman to represent the state in the Senate, shared the following photo with Johnson to X, saying EBJ "gave her life to service for Dallas."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
U.S. Rep. Hakim Jeffries, who serves as the House Minority Leader and leader of the House Democratic Caucus, and represents New York's 8th congressional district, sent out the following statement:
"I join the people of Texas and the entire House Democratic Caucus family in mourning the loss of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. Affectionately known to many as EBJ, Congresswoman Johnson was a trailblazing icon, transformational public servant and legendary member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
As the first woman and person of color to serve as Chair of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology in the U.S. House of Representatives, Eddie Bernice Johnson’s life was defined by breaking boundaries. Born and raised in Jim Crow Texas, she left her hometown of Waco and went North to Indiana, motivated by her drive to enter the medical field and in search of an opportunity to learn free of racial segregation. In 1992, she became the first registered nurse in the history of the country ever to be elected to the United States House of Representatives and the first African-American to serve in Congress from North Texas.
Before her retirement from Congress last year, Chairwoman Johnson helped shepherd the historic CHIPS and Science Act through the House — a massive investment in American manufacturing jobs and future competitiveness. As part of that legislation, EBJ led the charge to make sure we are investing in providing communities of color and other historically under-resourced areas with the science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century economy. Among many defining parts of her legacy is the fact that while she may have been the first registered nurse elected to Congress, her groundbreaking career ensured that she was not the last.
From the moment I arrived in the House, the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson personally mentored me with love, wisdom and her powerful intellect, as she did for so many others who had the privilege of serving with her. I stand with great humility on her broad shoulders.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s family, friends, constituents and all who loved her. May her powerful life and legacy as one of America’s greatest public servants continue to be a blessing to all."
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who represents Ohio's 9th congressional district and is the longest-serving woman in congressional history, posted the following condolences to X.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar
Congressman Henry Cuellar, who has represented Texas's 28th congressional district, which stretches from San Antonio to the U.S.-Mexico border, in Congress since 2005, also posted his condolences to X.
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn
U.S. Rep Jim Clyburn, who has spent 16 terms serving South Carolina's 6th congressional district and previously served as the House Majority Whip, shared the following to X about EBJ, alongside whom he joined Congress in 1993.
Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez
Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez issued the following statement through her spokesperson.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. Congresswoman Johnson's legacy will be remembered for her leadership, compassion, and the positive impact she had on countless lives. I was proud to call her a friend. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all those who mourn the loss of this remarkable woman. May she rest in peace."
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which she called her "baby" and for which she secured millions of dollars in federal investment in North Texas, shared the following statement on Johnson's passing.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) was very saddened to learn of the passing of retired U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson.
Congresswoman Johnson was a beloved icon who served the 30th Congressional District for 30 years and played an instrumental role in making the DART system what it is today. She was awarded the first annual DART Legacy Award in August 2023 for her leadership and support of DART and public transportation initiatives throughout the country.
“I send my condolences to her family,” said DART Board of Directors Chair Gary A. Slagel. “Congresswoman Johnson was an invaluable advocate for and partner to DART since her time as a Texas State Representative in 1972. We will be forever grateful for her service to our community and DART.”
The Congresswoman secured hundreds of millions of dollars for DART during her tenure, including a landmark $700 million full funding grant agreement from the Federal Transit Administration – the largest ever awarded to DART at the time. She was able to influence decisions on the Transportation Committee that benefited DART the entire time she served in Congress.
“We are truly devastated to learn of Congresswoman Johnson passing last night,” said DART president & CEO Nadine S. Lee. “She epitomized the best of our elected and appointed leaders at all levels of government. DART was extremely fortunate to have her as our champion in the U.S. House of Representatives during most of the agency’s history. The DART family of employees sends it heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family of Rep. Johnson.”
Congresswoman Johnson was instrumental in helping DART secure funding for its bus operations, which helped DART improve coverage and frequency in its most vulnerable communities. She assisted in helping DART win several Full Funding Grant Agreements for the Red Line, Blue Line, and Green Line as they created and expanded the light rail system. Together, these grants represent nearly $1 billion in federal funding for the agency.
She was also responsible for securing the federal funding that helped create Rosa Parks Plaza in downtown Dallas. This urban oasis in the West End district pays a fitting tribute to a civil rights pioneer who helped lead the battle to integrate public transportation across the nation.
Finally, and certainly not least, Congresswoman Johnson helped DART win a $60 million Core Capacity grant that paid for nearly half of the Platform Extensions Project, which allowed DART to increase passenger loads on their busiest and oldest light rail lines. Her influence and support for DART is invaluable and she has left a lasting legacy.
Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy in Wilmer, Texas
The Wilmer elementary school operated by Dallas Independent School District, which was officially named in Johnson's honor on April 24, 2020, shared the following statement on X, saying the school is "honored to be her namesake campus."
Texas Democratic Party
In a joint statement sent out to the media, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa, Vice Chair Shay Wyrick-Cathey and Dallas County Democratic Chair Kardal Coleman shared the following words.
"It is with great sadness that Texas Democrats mourn the loss of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. A dedicated public servant, Congresswoman Johnson leaves behind a legacy of tireless advocacy and unwavering commitment to her constituents and the American people. Johnson’s career began as the first black woman and registered nurse elected to office in Dallas, first serving in the Texas House of Representatives before being elected to the Texas Senate. Her legacy of service as the Representative of Texas’ 30th Congressional District for over three decades, and as the first woman to serve as Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is among the most prolific in our state’s history.
Throughout her distinguished career, Congresswoman Johnson served with integrity and passion, earning the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Her leadership and dedication to advancing critical issues, from healthcare, STEAM, transportation to education, have left an indelible mark on the nation. As a former registered nurse, she was an authoritative figure in the fight for affordable health care, services and resources for veterans, women, and children. She also fought for resources for mental health and to combat the maternal mortality crisis. As we mourn the loss of a trailblazer, we also celebrate the life of a remarkable woman who shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for future generations. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's impact on our democracy will be remembered for years to come.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of working alongside her. In this time of grief, let us remember and honor the legacy of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, a champion for justice, equality, and the American people."