President Biden attends memorial for Eddie Bernice Johnson Monday
DALLAS - The first of many memorial services for former Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was held Monday in Dallas.
President Joe Biden flew into Dallas on Monday to attend a prayer service for Johnson on Monday night.
Johnson died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 89.
Monday morning, the former congresswoman's body was brought to Fair Park for a public viewing.
Johnson was a trailblazer in Texas politics. There are many firsts associated with her career that it can be difficult to keep track of them.
For example, she was the first African American and the first woman to serve in the Texas State Senate since Reconstruction.
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Johnson began her political career serving in the Texas House. Later, she was the first Black woman to ever win elected office from Dallas and then had her historic stint in the Texas Senate.
In the United States Congress, Johnson ended her career as chair of the House Science Committee. She was on the South Lawn of the White House as President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law in 2022, providing funding for the semiconductor industry.
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Johnson retired from Congress a year ago after representing part of North Texas for 30 years.
We talked to people who knew Johnson and others who wanted to pay their respects to the longtime congresswoman.
"She never forgot us, the people here, and we could always meet with the family about issues coming up, and we know Congresswoman Johnson always had our back," said churchgoer Calvin Portley.
"Her impact in this area, in my community, the Muslim American community, will be felt for a long, long time," said Hadi Jawad.
Several elected officials also came to pay their respects to Johnson on Monday morning.
"She is a trailblazer. I am amazed and thankful that she stepped out on faith, she took the leap and she made it possible to open the door for so many of us," said Letitia Hughes, DeSoto's Mayor Pro Tem.
"All of the things that the president is going to say about her today, that her former colleagues are going to say about her, and her friends and family and DFW elected officials and leaders, all of it is well-deserved because it was decades and decades of hard work that cemented this legacy for Congresswoman Johnson," said Congressman Marc Veasey.
President Biden arrived at Concord Church in Dallas during a prayer ceremony for Johnson.
The president stopped to pray in front of Johnson's casket. He was then seen placing his hand on Johnson's coffin and speaking to the late congresswoman's family members.
Eddie Bernice Johnson memorials, funeral services scheduled
Longtime Dallas congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's life and legacy will be remembered at a series of memorials and services.
On Tuesday at 10 a.m., that same church will host the former congresswoman’s funeral.
The final event will be a graveside service on Wednesday afternoon at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, where she will be laid to rest.