By Cheryl Smith
Texas Metro News
Family members, elected officials, friends, clergy, sponsors, sorority sisters, constituents and DeSoto ISD students gathered for a bus tour of the sites where signs designated parts of Highway 67 as the ‘Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway.”
It was a beautiful day, said State Representative Aicha Davis, who worked on and gathered support of the bill, along with State Sen. Royce West. The bill received bipartisan support and Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature for the “esteemed “legislator who served in the Texas House of Representatives and Senate before retiring January 3, 2023, after 30 years of service as a U.S. Congresswoman.
The first registered nurse to serve in the U.S. Congress, Ms. Johnson died December 31, 2023. Her stellar career included several highlights, including having an elementary school in Wilmer, Texas named after her and Dallas’ Union Station was officially named “Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station.”
Ms. Johnson was the oldest member of the U.S. House of Representatives after serving 15 terms, at the time of her retirement she had become the chairwoman of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Her portrait hangs in the Nation’s Capitol and she has been celebrated as the first Black woman to serve as ranking member of the committee; along with numerous other firsts.
Ms. Johnson was a revered member of several organizations, including: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Links, Inc., and International Women’s Forum.
Wednesday’s celebration, presented by the offices of State Representative Davis and Senator West, along with the Johnson Family was similar to the unveiling of her historic portrait in D.C. as many traveled to share in the historic occasion.
For travelers on Highway 67, if you’re driving south from downtown, the sign is located on the right side of the freeway and traveling north from Midlothian, another sign appears on the right side of the freeway.
According to Mia Street, District Director for Rep. Davis, students from DeSoto ISD played a vital role in capturing the day’s moments through photography and videography.
“This initiative reflects Congresswoman Johnson’s commitment to education and her lasting impact on our youth,“ shared Ms. Street, adding that following the event, the students will produce a recapitulation video.
