Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) and Senator John Cornyn (TX) recently introduced legislation to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Dallas in honor of the late Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
The proposed name, the “Eddie Bernice Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,” recognizes Johnson’s 30 years as U.S. Representative for Texas’ 30th Congressional District and her 10 years in the Texas Legislature.
Before her political career, Johnson served 16 years as the first Black Chief Psychiatric Nurse at the Dallas Veterans Administration Hospital, a role that underscored her lifelong dedication to veterans’ health care.
“As I carry on in the footsteps of my trailblazing predecessor, I see Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson’s legacy and impact in every corner of the district I represent,” said Rep. Crockett.
She highlighted Johnson’s contributions to local infrastructure and education, including Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station and the Eddie Bernice Johnson STEM Academy, while also emphasizing her advocacy for mental health and veteran care.
Senator Cornyn echoed these sentiments, stating, “Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson was a trailblazer and longtime advocate for veterans. This legislation to rename the VA Medical Center in Dallas in her honor—nearly 70 years after she was hired as a nurse at this very hospital—would ensure her legacy of service is forever preserved.”
The legislation also garnered support from Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representatives Al Green (TX-9), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Lance Gooden (TX-5).
Johnson’s advocacy extended beyond her career in nursing, with initiatives like the Department of Energy Veterans’ Health Initiative Act in 2019 and the Strengthening Mental Health Supports for BIPOC Communities Act in 2020, underscoring her commitment to underserved communities and veterans.
If passed, the renaming would honor Johnson’s nearly seven decades of public service and her lasting impact on North Texas and beyond.
